Universal Love Down Memory Lane

[BlueBelle]

Problem with Waverley was that if you sat behind the goals at either end, it was bloody hard to see down the other end of the ground. Still loved going to that ground - was even better having a Waverley Park membership for a few years in the mid '80's and being able to sit in the members.

Always sat on the wing and still do

 

[Robbo's my hero]

The league developed cold feet concerning Waverley. It was never finished. It was supposed to be bigger than the MCG with a crowd capacity of 150,000. Imagine if the league management had held its nerve and not caved in to the vested interests of the State Government and the MCC Trust. Probably indivisible in reality. Imagine a GF where all supporters could be accommodated.

 

[Neese]

Waverley was a good ground to watch from. I lived in the north/east suburbs so it was a nightmare to get there. In the early day it was 2 trains and a bus, took hours.
Later when going by car the worst thing was getting out of the car park. On days when a big crowd was expected we would take tea and cakes and sit in the car park after the game and have something to eat and drink and wait for the cars to leave.
It always rained there and was always cold.

and when it rained the wooden seats were horrible

 

[HBF]

Always sat on the wing and still do

Fair enough.
Always loved sitting behind the goals, and still do.
High up in the Ponsford Stand is the best seat in house IMO.

 

[BlueBelle]

Fair enough.
Always loved sitting behind the goals, and still do.
High up in the Ponsford Stand is the best seat in house IMO.

If you're behind the goals you have to be level 2 or 3 coz otherwise you can't see a thing up the other end. Subi is the worst for this IMO.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

I liked VFL Park also. Really did.

If you sat on the fence you couldn't see a damn thing, as the surface was cambered something like 2 feet from fence to middle.

 

[mediumsizered]

I liked VFL Park also. Really did.

If you sat on the fence you couldn't see a damn thing, as the surface was cambered something like 2 feet from fence to middle.

Spot on, that's why I always stood at the back of the terraces at Row 35 or 36.

Waverley was a good ground to watch from. I lived in the north/east suburbs so it was a nightmare to get there. In the early day it was 2 trains and a bus, took hours.
Later when going by car the worst thing was getting out of the car park. On days when a big crowd was expected we would take tea and cakes and sit in the car park after the game and have something to eat and drink and wait for the cars to leave.
It always rained there and was always cold.

I used to wait inside the ground after the game & wait for the scores from the other games to be posted on the scoreboard, then take a casual stroll back to the car, turn on the radio & sit & wait until the majority of the car park was empty (which would be between about 5.30 & 5.45) before attempting to exit the car park. It meant I got home a bit later, but it avoided sitting in a queue with your motor running for half an hour or more.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Spot on, that's why I always stood at the back of the terraces at Row 35 or 36.

Mate, my favourite memory of all at VFL Park, is Wayne Daniel hitting a golf shot off Mick Malone off the last ball, to win the game, down the Freeway End, in one of the first WSC Night Games.

 

[mediumsizered]

Mate, my favourite memory of all at VFL Park, is Wayne Daniel hitting a golf shot off Mick Malone off the last ball, to win the game, down the Freeway End, in one of the first WSC Night Games.

I remember that well. The West Indies players went absolutely berserk with celebrations. Probably the cleanest hit of Daniel's career.

 

[Bluesince62]

Waverley was the worst ever idea of the VFL and there were plenty.

• No public transport
• Mud heap of a car park with too few exits
• Clogged access roads
• Known wettest part of Melbourne
• Stupid saucer shaped stands ensuring long distance views of play
• Stands too low ensuring windy conditions
• Playing area far too big (acres between boundary and fence)

Only reason it existed was the corruption of Kenneth Luke.

The AFL have tried to be one up with Etihad. Running a stadium East-West was so dumb on every count. Run it North-South and the grass grows and nobody has sun in their eyes.

They have further compounded the error by not taking over Punt Rd and making it the No. 3 ground for visiting interstate games plus Dees and Norf with sub 25k crowds. All of the sporting precinct infrastructure exists and they only need to build a couple of stands and move Richmond out in the sticks.

 

[HBF]

Mate, my favourite memory of all at VFL Park, is Wayne Daniel hitting a golf shot off Mick Malone off the last ball, to win the game, down the Freeway End, in one of the first WSC Night Games.

Was that the night the "famous blonde" was sitting in with the West Indies players?

 

[AlecDuncan]

BTW, went along to the Ghosts of Carlton walking tour last night. Perfect night for it too, with a crownie and a pie. Great experience for younger fans that might not have known the moments covered, and pretty good to relive them even if you do. They're doing it again in December and in the new year.

The umpires were training last night as it happened. Wiry fit bastards I have to admit.

 

[HBF]

BTW, went along to the Ghosts of Carlton walking tour last night. Perfect night for it too, with a crownie and a pie. Great experience for younger fans that might not have known the moments covered, and pretty good to relive them even if you do. They're doing it again in December and in the new year.

The umpires were training last night as it happened. Wiry fit bastards I have to admit.

I entered the ballot but missed out, however I have been given "priority access" for the tours in the new year. Would have been fantastic to do it last night.

 

[Dramoth]

If you're behind the goals you have to be level 2 or 3 coz otherwise you can't see a thing up the other end. Subi is the worst for this IMO.

level 1 behind the goals at the subi end is a nightmare... I went there for the first western force game there and after that, I always went for a second or third level seat at the city end or on the wings. AFL games involving Carlton are always at the city end with the rest of the Carlton supports/cheer squad.

It's funny being near Guns when we are playing the shockers. The amount of abuse that flows from his mouth towards frodo Ballentyne is unbelievable and hilarious

 

[Dramoth]

I entered the ballot but missed out, however I have been given "priority access" for the tours in the new year. Would have been fantastic to do it last night.

If I come back to Oz for a holiday, I will be trying to head over to Melbourne to do this tour if I can

Would be awesome

Might also try and talk my mum into loaning the Barassi letter she has to the MFC or to the sports museum at the G... it's an awesome artifact that should really be on display. Barassi responding in person to a Melbourne supporter... in his own hand writing

 

[BlueBelle]

I entered the ballot but missed out, however I have been given "priority access" for the tours in the new year. Would have been fantastic to do it last night.

Same

 

[Dramoth]

This guy will always have a spot in my heart... he is the reason behind my starting supporting Carlton. He is a true legend of the game as both a player and a coach. For this reason, people like Voss and Buckley and even our Ratten will never achieve the same sorts of stature within the entire sport as did Mr Ronald Dale Barassi.

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence

IT'S been 45 years since Ron Barassi emerged as possibly the greatest of all footy coaches, leading Carlton to the 1968 premiership.

But time has not dimmed his status with the players he inspired to that historic triumph, the first flag the Blues had won for 21 years - and a major step forward in the club's progress to the point where it now shares the record of 16 with arch rivals Essendon.

In fact, it has probably increased it.

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence
I think that it was 44 years ago that I decided, against the wishes of my grandparents, to start supporting Ron Barassi... as I have mentioned quite a few times on this site over the years.
He was my hero as a player the previous couple of years (when I was actually too young to know the difference) but I wanted to support Barassi. I didnt care about the club (at the time)... I just wanted to support and barrack for him. Then over the next couple of years... I started to get into following the blues and then Barass left us... and broke my heart. And for a very long time, his name used to equate to traitor and turd and a few other uncomplementary names I could think of for him... how could he leave Carlton... the greatest club in the world. I didnt know, then, why he did it... all I remember is that he deserted us just as we were seriously hitting our straps and that broke my heart. However... by that time. My blood had changed colour... it had gone from the red colour associated with normal people (which is better than the black and white and red and black of the filth and the bummers respectively) and had changed to that wonderful Old Dark Navy Blue colour we all love.
Over the years, I have learnt that he left because while being the coach of Carlton was the pinnacle that any decent coach could aspire to... he had a young family and he had to support them and back then, he couldnt really support his family on the salary of a part time coach. (just reading the wiki page... I am 5 days older than his youngest son ).
He will forever have a spot in my heart...
Good old Ron Barassi... legend in his own lifetime.

 

[OldBlueFan]

Mate, my favourite memory of all at VFL Park, is Wayne Daniel hitting a golf shot off Mick Malone off the last ball, to win the game, down the Freeway End, in one of the first WSC Night Games.

Yeah, it's cricket memories for me too. Unfortunately, my most vivid footy memories are from the 2 finals losses in '88 to go out in straight sets only to watch Melbourne go on and get pumped by the Hawks in the GF.

But was at the amazing one dayer early in WSC where the Aussies played the "World 11". Australia made over 300 in a great batting display. Then out came Gordon Greenidge and Barry Richards as openers with Viv at first drop ... that was all they needed, made the runs in a canter.

One of the most amazing batting displays I've ever seen.

EDIT ... maybe it was only 200+ but off 40 8-ball overs.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

This guy will always have a spot in my heart... he is the reason behind my starting supporting Carlton. He is a true legend of the game as both a player and a coach. For this reason, people like Voss and Buckley and even our Ratten will never achieve the same sorts of stature within the entire sport as did Mr Ronald Dale Barassi.

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence
I think that it was 44 years ago that I decided, against the wishes of my grandparents, to start supporting Ron Barassi... as I have mentioned quite a few times on this site over the years.
He was my hero as a player the previous couple of years (when I was actually too young to know the difference) but I wanted to support Barassi. I didnt care about the club (at the time)... I just wanted to support and barrack for him. Then over the next couple of years... I started to get into following the blues and then Barass left us... and broke my heart. And for a very long time, his name used to equate to traitor and turd and a few other uncomplementary names I could think of for him... how could he leave Carlton... the greatest club in the world. I didnt know, then, why he did it... all I remember is that he deserted us just as we were seriously hitting our straps and that broke my heart. However... by that time. My blood had changed colour... it had gone from the red colour associated with normal people (which is better than the black and white and red and black of the filth and the bummers respectively) and had changed to that wonderful Old Dark Navy Blue colour we all love.
Over the years, I have learnt that he left because while being the coach of Carlton was the pinnacle that any decent coach could aspire to... he had a young family and he had to support them and back then, he couldnt really support his family on the salary of a part time coach. (just reading the wiki page... I am 5 days older than his youngest son ).
He will forever have a spot in my heart...
Good old Ron Barassi... legend in his own lifetime.

Nice post Dram......

 

[Dramoth]

Nice post Dram......

Cheers... I saw that article and saw that it belonged in here with the rest of us oldies...

I loved how, as the article says, he played 1 more game for us to get to 50 games so we could have a father/son shot at one of his 2 boys.

 

[Blues177]

This guy will always have a spot in my heart... he is the reason behind my starting supporting Carlton. He is a true legend of the game as both a player and a coach. For this reason, people like Voss and Buckley and even our Ratten will never achieve the same sorts of stature within the entire sport as did Mr Ronald Dale Barassi.

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence

Time has passed but Ron Barassi's aura has not as former players reflect on his influence
I think that it was 44 years ago that I decided, against the wishes of my grandparents, to start supporting Ron Barassi... as I have mentioned quite a few times on this site over the years.
He was my hero as a player the previous couple of years (when I was actually too young to know the difference) but I wanted to support Barassi. I didnt care about the club (at the time)... I just wanted to support and barrack for him. Then over the next couple of years... I started to get into following the blues and then Barass left us... and broke my heart. And for a very long time, his name used to equate to traitor and turd and a few other uncomplementary names I could think of for him... how could he leave Carlton... the greatest club in the world. I didnt know, then, why he did it... all I remember is that he deserted us just as we were seriously hitting our straps and that broke my heart. However... by that time. My blood had changed colour... it had gone from the red colour associated with normal people (which is better than the black and white and red and black of the filth and the bummers respectively) and had changed to that wonderful Old Dark Navy Blue colour we all love.
Over the years, I have learnt that he left because while being the coach of Carlton was the pinnacle that any decent coach could aspire to... he had a young family and he had to support them and back then, he couldnt really support his family on the salary of a part time coach. (just reading the wiki page... I am 5 days older than his youngest son ).
He will forever have a spot in my heart...
Good old Ron Barassi... legend in his own lifetime.

He spent 1972 focusing on his furniture business and commentating the footy on channel 7. Commentating during the grand final with Mike Williamson and Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi's joy was evident when it looked like the blues were going to win. After a third quarter Carlton goal Barassi in the background quietly said 'you beauty'. Also in that quarter Mike Williamson said " Barassi take that smile off your face" to which Barassi replied " why should I Mike?" Barassi was proud of captain coach John Nicholls and the boys that day.

 

[Robbo's my hero]

One of my fondest memories of Ronald Dale occurred at Arden Street. Barassi often got involved in the u19 training. I mean he'd join in the drills. Slug would stand back, wince and shout "Jesus Christ" when you made a blue but Barassi was hands on. We're doing the standard circle work with lots of running to the next contest, handball receives etc. No real pressure. Someone's lobbed one high and I'm running hard to mark the ball. Crunch. I've run into Barassi or should I say he's taught me a lesson about awareness and protecting yourself. He's early forties but still fit and packs a punch. I've hit the deck, stunned and winded. I've got to my feet quickly, realised it's the great man and wheezed "Are you ok?" The confidence of youth.

 

[Bluesince62]

Everyone has a story about that place.

Worked with him at Barassi Sporting Enterprises, North end of King St, in the early 80's

Him and David Robb used to run it, all sorts of characters famous or infamous ambled through.

Jack Dyer and Hansen used to write the Dyer' Ere column for the Truth out of the back office.

Was that the place that had a "good" fire ?

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

One of my fondest memories of Ronald Dale occurred at Arden Street. Barassi often got involved in the u19 training. I mean he'd join in the drills. Slug would stand back, wince and shout "Jesus Christ" when you made a blue but Barassi was hands on. We're doing the standard circle work with lots of running to the next contest, handball receives etc. No real pressure. Someone's lobbed one high and I'm running hard to mark the ball. Crunch. I've run into Barassi or should I say he's taught me a lesson about awareness and protecting yourself. He's early forties but still fit and packs a punch. I've hit the deck, stunned and winded. I've got to my feet quickly, realised it's the great man and wheezed "Are you ok?" The confidence of youth.

I worked with a guy back about 20 years ago, he was a mad Collingwood supporter who hated Carlton more than most of his kind. He told me why one day and the story involved Barassi. He played under 19's for Carlton and in a pre season practice match the seniors were playing after them. He got knocked out during the last quarter and was stretchered off. He was still lying on the stretcher back in the rooms coming back around when the seniors were warming up. Barassi saw it and ordered the trainers to get rid of the fat **** on the stretcher. Ron Barassi, a true man's man!!

 

[AlecDuncan]

Diesel's Revenge?