First AFL match

[Mac Cat]

I've always been a long distance supporter, following the Cats from Tasmania, then Sydney and now Newcastle. I used to watch the Cat/Swans games at the SCG when I moved to Sydney. I remember feeling like a kid in a lolly shop at my first game, but I can remember no details of it! Would have been 1990/91.
My 2nd or 3rd match was the game where Gary Ablett kicked 14 goals on Andrew Dunkley. No-one went to the games in those days, so I would wander to whatever end Gary was playing at during each quarter break. Dunkley, from memory, didn't even spoil Gary 'till the 4th quarter. Mind you the Swannies midfield was non-existent. It was like a training drill - Hocking to Ablett GOAL!!!!

 

[Vdubs]

Going back to 1964!! at Kardinia Park, the day Terry Callan did his knee. He is Tim's dad. Strange things happened back then One game agst Pies, an irate supporter actually jumped the fence to deal with the ump. Another game, our player G Rosenow (a cop) remonstrated with NM coach Allan Killigrew while going up the race at 1/2 time. There was standing room only, and the ground was often pure mud. Good memories though. Shows my age badly--it's a wonder I know how to use this computer!

 

[Vdubs]

Well guys must be the oldest one around here. My first AFL or should I say VFL game was back in1968. I went down to the old Nth Melbourne ground and decided that day to join the cheer squad. Actually stayed a member till 1972 when I went to NZ for a working holiday. Memories from back then include a hill where the Doug Wade stand is, one row of seats around the ground. Painful memories include getting up at 4.30am to catch the train down to Geelong. We took it in turns to take the banners ( went around the ground) or a flogger home and had to take that on the train as well. Would you believe re-joined the group back in 1997 nearly 30 years on. Still a social member, and still keep in touch with supporters from 40 years ago. Also another though we used to make the run through in the old KROCK rooms only was the width of the race.
Slept out for finals tickets that was an experience and quite often chatted to Sammy Newman in the race that was also an experience.

Think you are NOT the oldest, sadly I'm 52 & went to games in 64 that I can recall.

 

[Snicker]

It was too long ago for me to remember. Used to go with my father and my sister, probably in the late 70s, early 80s. But early 80s I can remember better when I used to go with some mates when I was 11 or 12. We'd get to the ground an hour before the gates opened and then would race to the fence in the outer where there were two rows of old wooden benches and lay out scarves along it to reserve our spots. Then we'd go kick the footy for a couple of hours. Fun times. I do remember a Collingwood game in those days though. Can't remember if we won, but there were two teenage girls in front of us who were in love with Billy Pickin and spent the whole game trying to get his attention while we bagged him mercilessly.

 

[year of the cat]

I think my first game was Essendon v Nth Melb around '74 or '75 at VFL park. God knows why Mum and Dad took my brother and I to this game as we are all cats fans throughout the whole extended family.

I think my first Geelong game was at the MCG against Melbourne. I still remember Dad pointing out Ken Newland. It was around the time Paul Sarah was a favourite. Jumping Jack Hawkins, Sam Newman and Larry Donohue were other notables. We weren't very good around then (really until 1980) and I remember cracking it after a loss and swapping to Hawthorn (must have been 1976) for a week but it just didn't feel right.

Geelong, thanks to Lou Richards, were the "handbaggers" and I was the only kid at primary school (in Mt Waverley) that barracked for the cats. Richmond were huge at my school. I remember getting in a fight with a primary school friend (who barracked for the tigers) after the 1980 premiership, saying that we would win the next flag before they did. Should have called him up after last year!!

So many tormented years have now passed......

 

[Pivo]

F**k this is stretching the memory banks - unlike many of you I'm fairly certain my first VFL/AFL games didn't involve Geelong.

I am 100% that my first game was St. Kilda V Richmond out at Waverley when I was still attending primary school.

My grandparents lived out at Noble Park then and we were visiting from Adelaide. After bugging my old man to take me to the footy he said fine and we ended up a Waverley because it was close to my grandparent's place.

For the record, the Tigers won but I'll be damned if I can remember the scoreline or much of the match.

First Cats game, I know it was in Adelaide at Football Park (AAMI Stadium for you kids) but for some reason I think it was a practice game. It may have been a practice match against the Port Adelaide Magpies or Norwood and it generated a massive crowd.

A lot of people went because Gary Ablett Snr was playing. I don't think me and my mate got in until quarter time.

Wish I could remember the year. Certain that was the first time I saw the Cats play live.

 

[Redemptionin09]

Geelong Vs Collingwood MCG circa 94-95' I was 5 years old

Ablett snr takes 'that' mark over Gary Pert in the goalsquare, the mark itself was a blur but I have recently been reminded that that was my first game of AFL. The only thing I really remember from the game was Craig Kelly niggling everyone, when all of a sudden Billy Brownless turns around and gives him a mouth full.

I have hated Craig Kelly as a footballer ever since.

Another thing about the game is that at this time my Dad was solely a Collingwood supporter (I know, grosely misinformed) , it wasn't until 2003 when I converted him to be solely a Geelong supporter and member with only the occasion soft spot for Collingwood (you can take a boy out of Collingwood, but you can't take Collingwood out of a boy, unfortunately) after we went to the game when Ling stuck to Buckley like glue all day, he was really angry and proceeded to wipe his blood onto Ling's jumper.

Anyone remember that??

 

[Shell]

Geelong Vs Collingwood MCG circa 94-95' I was 5 years old

Ablett snr takes 'that' mark over Gary Pert in the goalsquare, the mark itself was a blur but I have recently been reminded that that was my first game of AFL. The only thing I really remember from the game was Craig Kelly niggling everyone, when all of a sudden Billy Brownless turns around and gives him a mouth full.

I have hated Craig Kelly as a footballer ever since.

Another thing about the game is that at this time my Dad was solely a Collingwood supporter (I know, grosely misinformed) , it wasn't until 2003 when I converted him to be solely a Geelong supporter and member with only the occasion soft spot for Collingwood (you can take a boy out of Collingwood, but you can't take Collingwood out of a boy, unfortunately) after we went to the game when Ling stuck to Buckley like glue all day, he was really angry and proceeded to wipe his blood onto Ling's jumper.

Anyone remember that??

I remember all that up there. Lol, I was on Street Talk and Sam asked me my opinion on that issue, but alas- didnt make it to the TV. (guess i should take that as a compliment? ).

Oh, and that mark = legendary. I was front row, just before the 50 M line that day when he took it.

 

[Redemptionin09]

Geelong Vs Collingwood MCG circa 94-95' I was 5 years old

Ablett snr takes 'that' mark over Gary Pert in the goalsquare, the mark itself was a blur but I have recently been reminded that that was my first game of AFL. The only thing I really remember from the game was Craig Kelly niggling everyone, when all of a sudden Billy Brownless turns around and gives him a mouth full.

I have hated Craig Kelly as a footballer ever since.

Another thing about the game is that at this time my Dad was solely a Collingwood supporter (I know, grosely misinformed) , it wasn't until 2003 when I converted him to be solely a Geelong supporter and member with only the occasion soft spot for Collingwood (you can take a boy out of Collingwood, but you can't take Collingwood out of a boy, unfortunately) after we went to the game when Ling stuck to Buckley like glue all day, he was really angry and proceeded to wipe his blood onto Ling's jumper.

Anyone remember that??

I remember all that up there. Lol, I was on Street Talk and Sam asked me my opinion on that issue, but alas- didnt make it to the TV. (guess i should take that as a compliment? ).

Oh, and that mark = legendary. I was front row, just before the 50 M line that day when he took it.

Yes you should it means you're normal and he can't pick on you.

 

[SJ]

Sunday May 8, 1994. Mothers' Day. Ablett take's the Mark of the Century over Pert.

Not only was it your first game Redemptionin09, but it was my first game at the 'G. Geelong dominated the first half and Collingwood were coming home strong in the last, searching for the lead. Geelong need a spark.

Ablett.

Missed the goal but that was the spark Geelong needed, held on to win.

I have never been at a game where something has been replayed so much on the screen, even the Collingwood supporters were in awe.

I was in the old Olympic Stand from memory, can't remember much else though.

 

[SJ]

Here we go:

Geelong 7.3 13.9 15.12 18.16 (124) dftd
Collingwood 0.1 4.10 12.14 13.18 (96)

Melbourne Cricket Ground May 8 (Sun)

Nine goals up at half time and were seriously challenged in the last - only 16 points in it at the final change.

Stats here: http://finalsiren.com/MatchDetails.asp?GameID=1532&Code=cc5ebe7e96b302b127e49fdf91ed7eaa

 

[Ty-Land]

First game was the Geelong v Hawthorn Semi Final in 1991. Dad took me when I was only 6. Of course we lost, playing Hawthorn in a final practically guaranteed that.

Looked up the stats, and we lost by a pain staking 2 points.

Still got the footy record somewhere at my folks place. If my memory serves me correctly it has Chris Langford (with mullet) and Ablett (or Stoneham) on the front.

 

[Snicker]

F**k this is stretching the memory banks - unlike many of you I'm fairly certain my first VFL/AFL games didn't involve Geelong.

I am 100% that my first game was St. Kilda V Richmond out at Waverley when I was still attending primary school.

My grandparents lived out at Noble Park then and we were visiting from Adelaide. After bugging my old man to take me to the footy he said fine and we ended up a Waverley because it was close to my grandparent's place.

For the record, the Tigers won but I'll be damned if I can remember the scoreline or much of the match.

First Cats game, I know it was in Adelaide at Football Park (AAMI Stadium for you kids) but for some reason I think it was a practice game. It may have been a practice match against the Port Adelaide Magpies or Norwood and it generated a massive crowd.

A lot of people went because Gary Ablett Snr was playing. I don't think me and my mate got in until quarter time.

Wish I could remember the year. Certain that was the first time I saw the Cats play live.

The Port game was in 1990 I think (or late 89? I'm sure it was between the end of the 89 season and the start of the 90 season). We actually drove up to Adelaide for the weekend and went to the game. My main memory from the game was a Port supporter throwing an empty plastic beer cup at me cause I was cheering too loud. I think Wanganeen was playing that day too. I remember later telling an Essendon mate he'd be a decent player when the Bombers drafted him.

 

[Pivo]

The Port game was in 1990 I think (or late 89? I'm sure it was between the end of the 89 season and the start of the 90 season). We actually drove up to Adelaide for the weekend and went to the game. My main memory from the game was a Port supporter throwing an empty plastic beer cup at me cause I was cheering too loud. I think Wanganeen was playing that day too. I remember later telling an Essendon mate he'd be a decent player when the Bombers drafted him.

Yeah, that sounds about right, and it doesn't surprise me about the crowd either. I know as a teenager you always tread with a bit of caution when you went down to Alberton to watch your side against the Magpies.

The Port Adelaide Magpies are an awesome footy club but their supporters (some, not all) leave a little to be desired.

It was a great day though, finally getting to see the Cats play live was a massive thrill for me and seeing Ablett in the flesh was a real buzz. Probably happened because Blight was coaching at the time as well.