While in Amsterdam recently I had two extremely random MFC encounters.

1. My walking tour guide, who was an Amsterdam local, asked us who we followed in the footy after he heard we were from Melbourne. Before answering I asked him how he even knew about footy, and it was because his roomate was a diehard Melbourne supporter. Funnily, he knew all about Essendon's drug saga and compared it to FIFA corruption.

2. The next night, we did an awesome canal tour (Dam Boat Guys if anyone is after an awesome canal tour with some, erm, smoking flexibility). The guide was an Aussie that had been living in Amsterdam for a few years. While he was driving the boat at a blistering 5kmh, he was showing me highlights from the final vs Geelong and was almost in tears talking about how much he wished he was there.

It was so random to find myself talking about the Dees on the other side of the world, twice, within 24 hours.

What are your random MFC experiences while traveling?

(NOTE: I asked the boat tour guide if he was the roommate of the walking tour guide, and he wasn't)

Edited October 20, 20186 yr by praha

Erm, slowly getting drunk in a pub in the Orkney islands on a sunday afternoon when I was a wee lad of 22, in 03' 

In walks a couple my parents age... get talking , from australia,

"whereabouts"

"adelaide" 

"oh, me, I'm from Melbourne....that Andrew Mcloud goes alright"

"yeah, we don't follow adelaide - we're melbourne supporters" 

....a few more drinks...turns out they had been at my parents wedding in country vic in 1968..and hadn't spoken since!

6 hours ago, praha said:

2. The next night, we did an awesome canal tour (Dam Boat Guys if anyone is after an awesome canal tour with some, erm, smoking flexibility). The guide was an Aussie that had been living in Amsterdam for a few years. While he was driving the boat at a blistering 5kmh, he was showing me highlights from the final vs Geelong and was almost in tears talking about how much he wished he was there.

I wouldn't trust these boat tour types. They'll tell you almost anything to get a tip 

13 minutes ago, Skuit said:

I wouldn't trust these boat tour types. They'll tell you almost anything to get a tip 

You working on the boats these days Skuit? ?

Had an Uber driver on the Gold Coast that was a huge Dees fan. Felt like the shortest ride to the airport chatting about the Dees. 

London, September 1987

Pre internet, WWW and email. 

Got footy vision by someone taping ABCs Drew and Tim and airmailing it to nearby backpacker Aussie pub in Kangaroo Valley. 

Met fellow Dee, same passion - ? Rob Davis - this was 87. 

Whilst hitting the breakfast buffet at a hotel in Dubai I bumped into Leoncelli at the omelette bar. I asked him if they were any good, he said it’s still being cooked but he’d let me know. I went back to my table and kept an eye on him whilst he ate his omelette, he looked up and gave me a head nod and a look which said “Yep it’s good.”

Edited October 21, 20186 yr by Ethan Tremblay

4 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Whilst hitting the breakfast buffet at a hotel in Dubai I bumped into Leoncelli at the omelette bar. I asked him if they were any good, he said it’s still being cooked but he’d let me know. Went back to my table and kept an eye on him whilst he ate his eggs, he looked up and gave me a head nod to indicate the omelette was good. 

I guess you met some local police soon after that, while "walking in the same direction" as Leoncelli,  Ethan?

11 minutes ago, faultydet said:

I guess you met some local police soon after that, while "walking in the same direction" as Leoncelli,  Ethan?

The secret is to dress like a bum, that way the police over there leave you alone because they think you can’t pay them off. 

Edited October 21, 20186 yr by Ethan Tremblay

When I was much younger my uncle took me to see the boys train. Once training was over the great Allen Jakovich stayed behind to work on his goal kicking. He was my favourite player so I was eager to get behind the goals and mark some of his kicks. After I caught 3 or 4 he then invited me to jump over the fence for some kick to kick. It only lasted probably less than 5 min but that was one of the greatest moments of my life, it cemented my love for Jako and the club.

Well, if driving to a local cafe is considered 'travel', I'm pretty sure I found myself following @Demon Disciple in his car today. His avatar stuck on the back of his window and a 2018 membership sticker nearby. Surely? Very random.

I went back to tafe to do my VCE a while back, it was the first day so we all had to say our name and what was one of our hobbies; when it was my turn of course i said i love going and watching my team play, which he then ask who is your team?

I said Melbourne, so i thought i would ask him who he followed his reply the Dee's.

 

1 hour ago, deebug said:

I went back to tafe to do my VCE a while back, it was the first day so we all had to say our name and what was one of our hobbies; when it was my turn of course i said i love going and watching my team play, which he then ask who is your team?

I said Melbourne, so i thought i would ask him who he followed his reply the Dee's.

 

My favourite encounter - even beating having a chat and  selling a bottle of wine to David Neitz in early 2006 - was a chat with Ron Barassi in a bottle shop in Acland Street the same year.

After our chat the great man turned around when he got to the door and proclaimed  'Go Dees'.

I also recall doing a tasting at the Ross Town Hotel bottle Shop in 2007. I had a loo break and who walks out of the gaming room - on their way to play for the Dees against Richmond later that evening- but the great Byron and Mr Davey.

At my Auntie’s 80^th birthday party I got chatting to an old bloke who was a friend of hers. The conversation turned to footy and after a while I found out he used to play for the Dees. Alan Krause, #13.

I asked him how long for etc and he told me only a couple of years then he was cleared to Sandringham.

Why? I asked.

His reply: ‘’a young feller called Ron Barassi came in and took my spot” - said with a chuckle!

@praha, what a time to be alive

1. My housemate Geert, who received a Dees scarf from me last xmas.

2. One of my best mates, known to peruse this site, with whom I work on boats.

Edit: For what it's worth Geert told me excitedly about you, and Julian about you telling him about Geert.  

@Skuit is right about not trusting boat guys. But he also lives on a boat ?

Edited October 21, 20186 yr by AmDamDemon

Back in the day, had the pleasure of a quick chat with Dean Bailey at my old habit cafe in Canberra. Was quite startling to see him and maybe four of our coaches, lounging and relaxed as if they had always been regulars. Maybe that was the old slope-backed chairs with the metal base that always made people slide forward in their seat whether they meant to or not.

I had only meant to shake hands and wish him luck, but he was quite friendly and seemed to enjoy being welcomed. Had really memorable eyes that always looked interested and ready to laugh.

 

20 hours ago, praha said:

While he was driving the boat at a blistering 5kmh

Our boats go a blistering 6kmh thank you very much! Cheers mate, I’m happy (but actually sad) that I didn’t fly back for the prelim.

Edited October 21, 20186 yr by AmsterdamDeesFan

3 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

I was shocked to say the least. i thought for sure he was going to say the filth or methodon.

5 hours ago, Loose Men Everywhere said:

At my Auntie’s 80^th birthday party I got chatting to an old bloke who was a friend of hers. The conversation turned to footy and after a while I found out he used to play for the Dees. Alan Krause, #13.

I asked him how long for etc and he told me only a couple of years then he was cleared to Sandringham.

Why? I asked.

His reply: ‘’a young feller called Ron Barassi came in and took my spot” - said with a chuckle!

Risking outing myself here but Alan Krause is my grandad.

Bloody small world!

Edited October 21, 20186 yr by Thrice

12 minutes ago, Thrice said:

Risking outing myself here but Alan Krause is my grandad.

Bloody small world!

Is that you Krausey?? 

20 minutes ago, Thrice said:

Risking outing myself here but Alan Krause is my grandad.

Bloody small world!

This thread is turning into a psychedelic head [censored]. Must be the Amsterdam hash. Inception dees stylee

9 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Whilst hitting the breakfast buffet at a hotel in Dubai I bumped into Leoncelli at the omelette bar. I asked him if they were any good, he said it’s still being cooked but he’d let me know. I went back to my table and kept an eye on him whilst he ate his omelette, he looked up and gave me a head nod and a look which said “Yep it’s good.”

I remember the day the omelettes were good in Dubai. You were there too? Small world.

I didn't see Leoncelli but I did ask some bloke if there was any bacon going. He muttered something in Arabic and wandered off. Ah, the memories.

I had a work xmas lunch at the Stokehouse about 8 years ago. Andrew Leonchelli was with another group. 

I introduced myself to him, then told him that I was a Demons supporter. He put his arm around my shoulder and said "you poor man". I then told him that I had been telling my female colleagues that he had kicked the winning goal against Adelaide a few years earlier. Without further ado, he marched over to our table, took out his mobile and showed the ladies himself kicking the winning goal. He had clip on his phone!!! 

I sent him an email a few years later reminding him of that meeting. (I think it was when Melbourne pulled off an upset against Adelaide") He replied ... "Yes, I remember. I think I'd had too much to drink".

Top bloke Very friendly.