Favourite Finals Memories

[South of the Yarra]

It’s time to get excited. September is upon us and the Pies are deep in it. So what is your favourite finals memories. Obviously 1990 and 2010 were magic.

A memory of finals I will never forget is sleeping at Victoria Park to secure our tickets in the 70s and 80s. We would always be first or second in line as my old Nan would have the trundle beds, chairs, sleeping bags and blankets lined up against the old walls of the walkways of the Sherrin stand before the last round game was over. We would play footy on Pie Park to almost midnight and sleep at the ground Saturday and Sunday night until the tickets opened on Monday. You knew everyone around you and the cameras were there doing interviews. Everyone shared food and the singing and stories of days gone by was glorious. Magic days. Absolute magic.

 

[Capital Magpie]

I remember sleeping out on the parkland outside the MCG with my then Essendon-supporting girlfriend (now wife of 40 years), on the Thursday night before the 1977 GF, so that we could be early in the queue for GF tickets.

Such fun and a great atmosphere with a lot of other like-minded individuals.

We both worked at the Tax Office, and it was a long day at work on the Friday after we had secured our tickets.

Our seats were high in the Southern Stand, right above where Twiggy Dunne kicked the goal that tied the game, and I literally couldn't look!

 

[South of the Yarra]

I remember sleeping out on the parkland outside the MCG with my then Essendon-supporting girlfriend (now wife of 40 years), on the Thursday night before the 1977 GF, so that we could be early in the queue for GF tickets.

Such fun and a great atmosphere with a lot of other like-minded individuals.

We both worked at the Tax Office, and it was a long day at work on the Friday after we had secured our tickets.

Our seats were high in the Southern Stand, right above where Twiggy Dunne kicked the goal that tied the game, and I literally couldn't look!

Great post. Love it.

 

[Thatsmyname]

There's only two

 

[South of the Yarra]

There's only two

Two great ones.

 

[jonbe54]

10 minutes to go . . . final quarter of the '90 GF . . my sister and I were at the '70 GF and carried the grief of that harrowing day deep within us . . .my son is holding my hand and almost exploding with joy . . sis and I wait a little longer . . from long experience we know what can happen . . . pants now has the ball and the siren blasts . . .

Sis and I look at each other over my son's head, there were no words possible to express what we were feeling. Contrary to popular opinion we didn't want to tear the roof off or scream our lungs out. It was a quiet time for us, deep within something released - something suddenly cold and invasive was washing away. Leaving a warm and contented feeling behind . . one of completion and long journeys end.

Travelling home on the train to Seddon, the stations going by without count or note my mind freewheeling with snapshots of that wonderful day, release from the purgatory of unrealized dreams and cruel disappointments for decades.

Over - it was FINALLY OVER.

9:30pm Dinner over and the kitchen tidied, son Robert at 6 years old was utterly exhausted and asleep on the couch. I carried my little magpie into his nest and snuggled him down.

10 pm sitting on the back patio and thinking back to those early days when dad took me to my early games I looked up to the stars and drank a toast to dad in his heavenly pub with one of the 30 year old bottles of Laphroaig he left me in his will with just this occasion in mind.

After another I closed up and went inside, sweeping my laughing wife inside I proceeded to share a fraction of my bursting joy with her.

 

[caloschwaby]

Only been to two finals games in my life - 2012 and 2018 Semis
Loved the atmosphere of the Giants game last year knowing we we're just giving it all we had until we'd inevitably get smashed in the prelim the week after, oh well, we tried our best... oh wait...

My dad, brother and about 5 of my other Collingwood mates went over to mine to watch the prelim. The entire house buzzing from start to finish. One of the greatest Collingwood memories I have enjoying that game and what it meant for us. Unfortunately couldn't get it done the next week, but perhaps it was just meant to be.

 

[caloschwaby]

10 pm sitting on the back patio and thinking back to those early days when dad took me to my early games I looked up to the stars and drank a toast to dad in his heavenly pub with one of the 30 year old bottles of Laphroaig he left me in his will with just this occasion in mind.

Beautiful.

 

[magpiewarrior]

Yes, watching Pants throw the ball into the air, that was a magical moment.

 

[Chameleon75]

 

[Chameleon75]

Top 3

Daicos goal posted above

Scott Russell picking kickets pocket and kicking a long goal

Heath Shaw smother

 

[magpie_marty]

The Year Is 1981

My uncle always said if Collingwood make a Grand Final I will take you to the game.

So my uncle is a one eyed Melbourne man and a member of the MCG.

Living in Brisbane the week before the game we beat Fitzroy I ring my uncle and ask is this deal still on,he says yeah no worries.
He explained all I had to do was ask the elder gents if they have a spare ladies ticket.
I thought OK that sounds simple.

The big day arrives we get to the ground early and he goes in to reserve some places as he also had some friends coming.

So for 2 hours I am asking and asking and getting no luck,Uncle comes out to check my progress.He is on crutches after doing his knee playing footy 6 weeks prior to the Grand Final.

So he then speaks to a VFL man in a big blue jacket at the entrance turnstile and relays my story,He then comes back and tells me to go buy a ticket and the VFL man will wave to you when his supervisor goes on lunch.

So sure enough I get the nod my uncle was waiting inside and of we went all the way to the front row MCG members on the wing.

Alas we lost that day but the crowd and the atmosphere is something I will never forget.

 

[KrispyKremePie]

I remember sleeping out on the parkland outside the MCG with my then Essendon-supporting girlfriend (now wife of 40 years), on the Thursday night before the 1977 GF, so that we could be early in the queue for GF tickets.

Such fun and a great atmosphere with a lot of other like-minded individuals.

We both worked at the Tax Office, and it was a long day at work on the Friday after we had secured our tickets.

Our seats were high in the Southern Stand, right above where Twiggy Dunne kicked the goal that tied the game, and I literally couldn't look!

I hope your “then Essendon-supporting girlfriend” is now your Collingwood-supporting wife of 40 years?


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Jelly Bean]

Best game was probably 2002 Qualifying Final v the Power in SA. No Buckley, Licca got 40 touches and shut down Francou, Lonie kicked 2-3 goals in the second, Ben Johnson had an absolute stinker until he tacked Burgoyne trying to run into an open goal.

 

[Capital Magpie]

I hope your “then Essendon-supporting girlfriend” is now your Collingwood-supporting wife of 40 years?


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

Regrettably, no. I haven't been able to turn her, despite 40 years of trying to point out the error of her ways.

I think 1990 sealed it for her, when my 2 very young sons (both Magpies, of course) kept coming up to her while she was watching the game on TV, trying to console her, saying "never mind Mum, it's just a game!"

Out of the mouths of babes.

Mixed marriages don't usually last, but she and I have decided to agree to disagree.

 

[Bramax]

Top 3

Daicos goal posted above

Scott Russell picking kickets pocket and kicking a long goal

Heath Shaw smother

Ahhhh yes, the librarian moment

 

[Chameleon75]

Regrettably, no. I haven't been able to turn her, despite 40 years of trying to point out the error of her ways.

I think 1990 sealed it for her, when my 2 very young sons (both Magpies, of course) kept coming up to her while she was watching the game on TV, trying to console her, saying "never mind Mum, it's just a game!"

Out of the mouths of babes.

Mixed marriages don't usually last, but she and I have decided to agree to disagree.

I’ve converted a few of ex girlfriends, their love for me died but their love of the pies endured. A mixed result.

 

[76woodenspooners]

As an interstate supporter I’ve only been to three, but all are memorable in their own way ...

2012 Prelim v Swans. The game was at ANZ stadium which has the atmosphere of a funeral parlor at the best of times, and so all the more that weekend after JMac died in Vegas. We were as flat as a tack that night.

2018 Grand Final - three hours of pure adrenalin rush. I was sitting right in Dom Sheed's line of sight when he kicked that last goal - I swear I saw him gave me a wink before kicking the footy straight as a die in my direction. Prick.

2010 Grand Final Replay - I’m still waiting to wake up from that game and learn it was all a dream.

 

[hellfire]

Despite the result, last year’s finals series was something else.

The massive Pies crowd in the semi willing us home, the 2010-prelim-esque win over the Tigers, and a mighty GF performance littered with highlights. I’ve been to a few grand finals and I’ve never seen the place rocking like it was in the first quarter last year.

The destination absolutely matters most, but the journey can be pretty bloody amazing!

 

[AgroMagro]

Sitting behind the Punt Rd goals at the 1977 Grand Final with my dad. Beautiful day, sun beating down, crowd amped. Suddenly dad breaks out into this strange, contortive move and I have no idea what’s going on. Heart attack?

Nah, just a serious cramp in the left calf that lasted a couple of minutes. Being all of 10 years old this was my first cramp experience. Scared the crap out of me! RIP dad. Spoiler alert…

It was a draw.

 

[bunter]

1990 was working in oil fields in Borneo.
Bunch of aussies, poms & kiwis huddled around a shortwave radio listening to the granny having beers, I was the only pies supporter there. Magic day, wish I could remember it.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I was only 10 in 1990 and my only genuine memory from that day was watching the game with my then girlfriend (yep, at 10 lol) who was a Dees supporter and then my Dad and uncle coming home from the game and my uncle immediately trying to have sex with my auntie in front of everyone in the house lol.

But more recently, I'm not sure anything will top the 2010 and 2018 Prelims. Premiership included.

In terms of pure atmosphere, nothing has come close to touching the 2010 Prelim.

 

[NeverWobble]

10 yo 1970 in tears after losing to Carlton.
1990 being told to shut up when I said “we’ve got this” halfway through the last quarter. What was I thinking.
Mick in tears after the Hawks prelim win.
Heath’s smother and Harry O on his knees in 2010
The last two minutes against WC last year at my only live GF and the train trip back to Sydney.
This year when I luck out in the ballot and witness a Pies GF victory

 

[raymond35]

The 1990 semifinal against Essendon.
Bought a standing room ticket from a scalper. Was exactly how i always dreamed a Collingwood grand final win would be.
Until the day i die, will never forget the sight of Collingwood supporters going nuts giving the team a standing ovation as they left the field.

 

[Bramax]

I’ve converted a few of ex girlfriends, their love for me died but their love of the pies endured. A mixed result.

No doubt the best result however. Go the Pies.