Grand Final memories

[spirit of norm smith 16,589]

I remember 1988 and 2000 Grand Finals.  Full of hope. The day was exhausting.  The week was so anxious but exciting. 

Both games were good days BUT tragic events.  We were smacked by two great teams.  

Games were over at half time.  We were rock bottom again. Dreams shattered. 

One day. One day I hope to get the exhilaration of a Grand Final victory. 

[praha 11,240]

zero hope in 2000. my sisters never cared for football but got on the bandwagon. they were so excited for the day but my dad and I knew what the result was going to be.

tbh my most vivid memory of 2000 was how bad Grgic was, and seeing Melbourne supporters jeer and cheer as he went to the bench.

was too young for 88.

[Sir Why You Little 37,151]

Both 88 and 2000 were over at 1/4 time

long nights queuing at The Members Reserve Gates

The Ivor Warne-Smith Door ? 

[Demonised 1,355]

In 1964, as a very young footy fan, I saw Melbourne triumph (on the TV). I hadn't chosen a team, thought I'd get with the strength, kick back and enjoy flag after flag.

55 years later ...

[Hot as Hell 466]

26 minutes ago, Demonised said:

In 1964, as a very young footy fan, I saw Melbourne triumph (on the TV). I hadn't chosen a team, thought I'd get with the strength, kick back and enjoy flag after flag.

55 years later ...

Pretty much the same story for me Demonised.

It has been a thorough test of character for every Demon supporter since '64, starting with RDB REmoving to Carlton in '65.

Strangely, l wouldn't have had it any other way, but l would have let my kids choose another team.  I concede that was cruel on them as they were denied the choice.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,276]

I was at the 1988 and 2000 GFs. 

Carnage.

[Supreme_Demon 3,899]

I can't remember 1988 except that we got smashed by Hawthorn.

2000 was full of hope but Essendon destroyed us.

The only way the Demons are going to win a Premiership is to consistently be in the top 4 and play off in preliminary finals for 6 or 7 years straight. That will give us the best opportunity to win Premierships.

 

[Wrecker45 3,378]

Dean Wallace punching Brad Green in the throat.

Whelan missed through injury that day too.

Two of our best players in a generation miss. They were both young and on the up without reputations so it never got reported.

[Demonsone 2,044]

9 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

I can't remember 1988 except that we got smashed by Hawthorn.

2000 was full of hope but Essendon destroyed us.

The only way the Demons are going to win a Premiership is to consistently be in the top 4 and play off in preliminary finals for 6 or 7 years straight. That will give us the best opportunity to win Premierships.

 

Tigers played in 2 gf & won 2 ... played in 3 prelims in a row ..  need to take opportunities eg cats sin 2011 have played multiple fines but can’t get through..

[Supreme_Demon 3,899]

1 hour ago, Demonsone said:

Tigers played in 2 gf & won 2 ... played in 3 prelims in a row ..  need to take opportunities eg cats sin 2011 have played multiple fines but can’t get through..

That's true.

 

But the Cats are likely to be finalists again next year.

 

You gotta be in it to win it.

 

They still have the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Premierships.

 

Our Premiership cup from 1964 is probably collecting alot more dust than theirs at Geelong.

Being constantly in the top 4 over 5, 6 or 7 years in a row is what gives you the greater chance of a Premiership.

 

Gotta win games consistently.

That's what good teams do.

[nomed 113]

1988 Walked home at 1/2 time, shattered.

2000 Bombers looked like men against boys, Long and Wallis, with Schwarta the only one to "fly the flag", the rest stood around meekly.

Grgic on the wing in front of the members shirked a 2 on one contest, he just had to make a contest, and lock the ball in for a bounce, but no, waved his arms and stepped aside.

[Fork 'em 6,991]

'88 watching Ben Johnson win the Gold medal for 100m sprint on the big screen.
Batgirl streaking.
Old snaggle toothed Hawthorn supporter hoarsely screeching "C'mon .... The Horrible .... HAWKS!" behind me for the whole game.

2000' Neitz marking and missing twice in the opening minutes.
Ball goes up the other end and Hird marks, goals and they were away.
Essendon doing as they've always done and physically beating us up and Melbourne seemingly totally unprepared for the onslaught.

Seeing as we were 'fortunate' to come up against 2 of the most dominate sides of those eras I went to both games knowing that we'd probably get done but knew I wanted to be there if they snagged it against the odds.

Edited September 29, 2019 by Fork 'em

[Cassiew 1,903]

It’s probably best not to get beat by under a goal. I doubt my dad’s heart could take it.

1988 dad had the TV set up in the garage with his mates coming over. I previously explained how he had no real expectations but went ballistic for that brief moment we led. The rest was awful. I remember the pain was too much for me. Ended up watching the Olympics.

2000 I was an adult. I definitely appreciated it more. I got out all my old supporter gear and decorated my living room. My younger brother came around and we watched it together. I knew we were never going to win, but seeing how we played against them earlier in the season, we could have done a lot better than that. Sad but I promised not to be angry at them and I wasn’t. Unfortunately had to work that night. Came back late and brother was already asleep. Put on the old grand final of the 60’s vhs and watched the brief footage from our 1960 and 1964 triumphs. I though to myself “this is all we have of a demons premiership.” Went to bed really low and upset. Had a date the next afternoon and canceled it. Didn’t feel up to anything.

I can only Imagine the other scenario if we’d win. Would probably have ended up with the guy, married with kids instead of being a spinster who lives on their own ?  

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Cassiew

[cookieboc 780]

Went in 88, i was 12 years old. Dad and his mate went to the Hilton to start drinking at half time. I stayed until the end. ever the optimist.

Was living in London in 2000. Went to the Aussie pub early in the am. by 10 am was sitting in a park consoling myself with a bottle of vodka.

next time could be my dads last time, and im too old for bottles of vodka

[spirit of norm smith 16,589]

Dees last 4 grand finals have all been Olympic Years. 1960. 1964. 1988.  2000.  
 

Stangely 2021 is also an Olympic year!!! Fingers crossed we can break our long premiership drought. 
“ Why not us “ as Neale Daniher said. We have to believe. 

[Cassiew 1,903]

25 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Dees last 4 grand finals have all been Olympic Years. 1960. 1964. 1988.  2000.  
 

Stangely 2021 is also an Olympic year!!! Fingers crossed we can break our long premiership drought. 
“ Why not us “ as Neale Daniher said. We have to believe. 

So 1959 was our last non-Olympic grand final. The year we won the first premiership cup. That suits me just fine ?

[forever demons 2,232]

Went to my first gf in 1958 we got beat Hooker harrison touched up RDB end of game.Then saw rest of our GFs 64 was best because we beat collingwood by a kick