My dad was only 9, I was still 18 years off.

- 25. My dad's school teacher was a Melbourne player at the time. He got a photograph with all the players autographs on it. Sadly I believe it is lost these days. 

-12 

My mother was 14, my dad had already left school 

6 YO. The memory is gone, if it was ever there. The first thing I remember is MFC sliding down the ladder on 1965.

On 8/23/2021 at 6:58 AM, forever demons said:

Not younger than you but was at the 64 flag aged 12 but my first grand final was 58 which we sadly lost.I was  only 6 but mum took me to the game ,i was a total fanatic even at that age.Only thing keeping me sane during the lockdown is looking forward us winning.Still work but stuck at home

I was also 12 and sat in the olympic stand on the day next to the Mezannine Bar with my father and brother (now sadly lost to the Swans!). When Froggy Crompton kicked the winning goal l remember looking along at the end of the row we were in and seeing Murray Weideman smoking a cigarette with his hand shaking like a leaf! We had a good laugh….

3 months and 1 week

Negative 22 and about 2 months!

So this is how a bunch of old age pensioners spend their time!

4 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

So this is how a bunch of old age pensioners spend their time!

your time will come

On 8/23/2021 at 6:32 AM, TasJohnsonFanClub said:

One of the joys of this happy time is reading posts here and elsewhere from older lifelong Melbourne supporters who feared they would not see us rise to the top again and the joy they felt when Max slotted THAT goal.  Many seemed to have been made young again by that moment.

I’m one of those old enough (just) to have witnessed a Melbourne Premiership.  One thing that has long played on my mind is whether I might be among the youngest people to have enjoyed that privilege - a stark and bittersweet realisation now that I am in my 60s and the drought is deep in its 57th year.

Without giving my exact age away (well, actually I am), I was exactly 6 years, 3 months and 5 days old on that great day in September 1964 - sitting in the old Grey Smith Stand with my father and my older brother.  A benefit of my father’s MCC membership and being the third generation of Melbourne supporters.  Sadly, my sisters and two subsequent generations are yet to experience the joy.

So my question, fellow Demonlanders, is this.  Is there anyone out there who was at the 1964 Grand Final and is younger than me?

I was 16 at the 64 GF and 12 at the 60 GF, people ask me why I missed the other finals and I remind them that it was very difficult to get tickets to a Grand Final in those days.

Funnily enough, before the start of the season, a friend of mine got a football card with Tassie Johnson on it and gave it to me. We talked about Tassie, I knew he'd never seen him play so I told him how good he was.

I put it on my desk and it still sits there now, I'm frightened to move it and he keeps reminding me to leave it exactly where it is.

I believe I had just turned 38.

I’ll see myself out now (or receive a banning). 😄

Heads up… long-ar*se post incoming!

Peeps might wanna put the kettle on. Or pour a nice glass of red…

I was born in 1964 (195 days before the grannie). My family migrated to Aus from Ireland in 1970. My siblings (lots of em coz Irish Catholics 😉) and I hated it here as we had no friends. After our first day of school in Australia my older brother told us if we wanted to make friends we simply HAD to follow footy. He said it was imperative for survival in this new country (he was right!). Because our ship had docked on 29 Sept, grand final day, and Carlton had won, he decided that’s who we should barrack for. The rest of us younger kids blindly followed. 

And so it was. A family of diehard Blues supporters. My brothers and I went to every Carlton home and away match every Saturday arvo. But early on, something strange happened: this team called Melbourne kept catching my eye (and soon enough my heart). For years I was in denial. I thought I barracked for the Blues. I was a member, I went to countless finals including the GFs of ‘79, ‘81 and ‘82. I had a duffel coat with Bruce (11) Doull on the back. But one can only lie to oneself for so long. I knew it was Melbourne that I loved but didn’t have the heart to tell my older brother, whom I adored. I knew it would break his old dark navy blue heart to know that my heart was beating true for the red and the blue. 😞 In 2000 my brother tragically passed away. It was then, and only then that I came out of the closet as a Dees gal, which I was all along, only nobody knew. Upon hearing it though, and in hindsight, a lot of friends and family were like, oh that makes sense, thought you were a little too keen on your ‘second team.’ Another of my brothers said he wasn’t surprised since he’d never seen someone so happy to see an oppo team’s player win a Brownlow (Brian Wilson, 1982). 😁

Anyways, that’s the story of my undying love for the greatest footy club in the world, ever. Ever. Since the dawning of mankind and even a little before that. ❤️💙

Just remembered this one time when my parents, who were by no means interested in footy, saw Stynesie on TV and since he’s a Dubliner too, were instantly enamoured by him. My dad said “I don’t know why you barrack for Carlton. You should be barracking for the team that this man plays for.” And I thought, if only you knew!

14 hours ago, doc roet said:

I can't remember how old I was but probably about 10 which means it was 1963.Ron Barassi had a segment on the Tarax show and I remember I rang the station and asked if I could speak to Ron. Don't know who answered but heard him call out to Ron that someone was on the phone for him. Next minute I hear the mans voice "hello", can still hear it today. We spoke for a while and I remember him telling me to practice my kicking and marking.

 

 

I remember Ron demonstrating how to handball, wearing a sleeveless footy jumper, I couldn’t believe how big his muscles were

I was there and 9 -sitting in the top deck of the members northern stand with my mother whilst my father drank beer with mates on the Verandah  of the Annexe bar ( later ceiled off) - I remember lots of that famous last quarter and the tension towards the end - I was standing (like most at that stage ) when my mother who was calm and seated tapped me and said the siren had gone but the game was continuing as the crowd was so loud that the umps hadn’t heard the siren ! I can still feel that moment and are saddened that it may finally happen again this year and we can’t all be there. 

As a teenager I was lucky enough to see Melbourne’s last premiership, I remember that day clearly.  I got to the ground early, after managing to get a ten shilling standing room ticket from a scalper with a good view in the Southern Stand behind the goals at the Jolimont end. Saw the under nineteens win the premiership...can't remember who played in the seconds . By the time the main game began a north wind had sprung up which made conditions a little difficult. In front of a huge crowd I was hoping for an easy win after our second semi demolition of the Maggies. It was a tight struggle and my three and a half  hour ordeal looked like heading for disaster after Gabelich kicked "that goal". Somehow  Neil Crompton managed to seal it with another memorable goal……What a relief being surrounded by Collingwood supporters who thought they had it won. I had to ask someone who kicked the goal as there was no such thing as a replay screen, and I could barely see over the fence. Dixon and Adams were the stars.  Barassi had a frustrating day and my avatar, John Lord kicked two goals. That's my recollection  of our last Premiership.  To be honest we were so spoilt with success at the time , there was a real feeling we had got out of jail rather than elation.

 

I was in year 11 at High School and after the game which the whole family listened to I raced down to my best friends place and celebrated briefly with them.

They we're fanatical Demons and we followed. We were invited to come down and watch the TV replay if the whole game afterwards shot 6 pm. I was 16 but no drink allowed!! But very pleasant yome of course,

We had tried to get tickets in the Hun but missed out. 
There were 4 of us Mim Dad and sister snd we went to about  5/6 matches  at the G in 1964.

We sat in the first rows of the Southern Stand and got there early to watc h the Reserves.

In 1965 we got our first Membership Tickets each ( I am a 57 year continuous Member ) and moved interstate for work In  1993 and still got a seasons ticket each year.

Started coming down more regularly in 2016 as Dad  got older and our Rebuild3  was probing  successful.  Dad passed away In 2019 
Sadly no MC G this year but still looking yo get to WA  if possible if we make it.

Will be very surprised if we don't win a flag OR TWO with this team starting this year!!

Go Dees 

 

On 8/24/2021 at 10:26 AM, WalkingCivilWar said:

But one can only lie to oneself for so long. I knew it was Melbourne that I loved

Great story, WCW. The obvious question though is why? Do you even know, or was it just a vibe? Colours? Players at the time? I’m fascinated…

2 minutes ago, Webber said:

Great story, WCW. The obvious question though is why? Do you even know, or was it just a vibe? Colours? Players at the time? I’m fascinated…

It’s something that I can’t put into words. I only saw them play twice each year (vs. Carlton) but when I did see them, I dunno, there was something about them. I made a valiant effort to deny it. It would’ve been so much easier to stick with Carlton. But no, I just couldn’t shake the adoration I was feeling. And still feel, even more so now. ❤️💙

18 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

It’s something that I can’t put into words. I only saw them play twice each year (vs. Carlton) but when I did see them, I dunno, there was something about them. I made a valiant effort to deny it. It would’ve been so much easier to stick with Carlton. But no, I just couldn’t shake the adoration I was feeling. And still feel, even more so now. ❤️💙

It’s the indefinables….

On 8/24/2021 at 10:26 AM, WalkingCivilWar said:

Heads up… long-ar*se post incoming!

Peeps might wanna put the kettle on. Or pour a nice glass of red…

I was born in 1964 (195 days before the grannie). My family migrated to Aus from Ireland in 1970. My siblings (lots of em coz Irish Catholics 😉) and I hated it here as we had no friends. After our first day of school in Australia my older brother told us if we wanted to make friends we simply HAD to follow footy. He said it was imperative for survival in this new country (he was right!). Because our ship had docked on 29 Sept, grand final day, and Carlton had won, he decided that’s who we should barrack for. The rest of us younger kids blindly followed. 

And so it was. A family of diehard Blues supporters. My brothers and I went to every Carlton home and away match every Saturday arvo. But early on, something strange happened: this team called Melbourne kept catching my eye (and soon enough my heart). For years I was in denial. I thought I barracked for the Blues. I was a member, I went to countless finals including the GFs of ‘79, ‘81 and ‘82. I had a duffel coat with Bruce (11) Doull on the back. But one can only lie to oneself for so long. I knew it was Melbourne that I loved but didn’t have the heart to tell my older brother, whom I adored. I knew it would break his old dark navy blue heart to know that my heart was beating true for the red and the blue. 😞 In 2000 my brother tragically passed away. It was then, and only then that I came out of the closet as a Dees gal, which I was all along, only nobody knew. Upon hearing it though, and in hindsight, a lot of friends and family were like, oh that makes sense, thought you were a little too keen on your ‘second team.’ Another of my brothers said he wasn’t surprised since he’d never seen someone so happy to see an oppo team’s player win a Brownlow (Brian Wilson, 1982). 😁

Anyways, that’s the story of my undying love for the greatest footy club in the world, ever. Ever. Since the dawning of mankind and even a little before that. ❤️💙

Just remembered this one time when my parents, who were by no means interested in footy, saw Stynesie on TV and since he’s a Dubliner too, were instantly enamoured by him. My dad said “I don’t know why you barrack for Carlton. You should be barracking for the team that this man plays for.” And I thought, if only you knew!

That’s a hilarious story WCW, also I assumed all this time, you were a bloke! I was also born the year of our last flag, and was 94 days old

-14.

Been on board since 1984 (Grade 2) thanks to my best friend who was a very good footballer and a mad Dees kid (along with his family I think). IIRC the Dees played Macedon one year around that time at Macedon and one of the Dees players - I recollect it being Flower but might be wrong - kicked a goal which hit said friend in the head and knocked him unconscious. Will never forget that. I'd followed first the Bombers (don't know why) and then Bulldogs in kinder/prep/1 and ended up on the Dees for better or worse.

Dad's been onboard since 1956 (he was born in 50) and took me to the fateful 87 prelim, and I took him to the run of wins in the finals in the late 90s and in 2000. 

He's in WA grey nomadding so should be able to get to the GF if we make it.

25 minutes ago, KLV said:

That’s a hilarious story WCW, also I assumed all this time, you were a bloke! I was also born the year of our last flag, and was 94 days old

I can laugh at it now but at the time it was quite unfunny. This one time Dees narrowly beat the Blues at Princes Park and on the (packed) tram home we were firmly ensconced in Dees fans. They spontaneously broke out singing the song. I forgot where I was (and who I was 😆) and was smiling at them and didn’t realise I was actually mouthing the words! Until my brother nudged me and said “whaddya doing??? That piece of crap team just beat us!” And I’m like, “yeah, piece of crap Demons!”

Just a spec in the universe

Negative 25 almost to the day.

Third generation MFC supporter however, and both parents and grandparents were at the '64 game and have been to every MFC finals since then (save for 2021). And my grandparents memory is kept alive in our family through our support of the MFC and MCC.

As a 10 year old I sat at the very top of the old Olympic Stand (with tickets I'm pretty sure my parents scalped) just so we could all say we were there.