Around the grounds.

[doc roet 1,287]

The toilet cubicles at princes park having side walls but no doors. I remember as a kid at 1/2 time sitting on the loo and this red faced man with a hand on the end of each side wall and a queue behind him, leaning in towards me yelling at me to hurry up.

[Hellish Inferno 992]

18 hours ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Although we never won there I liked Arden Street for the fact it had a dozen rows of seats all the way around the ground which I read used to be a greyhound track. The area had a real industrial ghost town feel about it on a weekend

[demon3165 2,718]

15 hours ago, Jontee said:

Ardern St - standing on empty steel beer cans so I could see

Moorabbin - my uncle yelling abuse at Ross Smith the entire game

Vic park - watching someone get their head kicked in

Western oval - having our car broken into and groceries stolen

Waverley - cars bogged up to the axel

Junction Oval - indecent exposure

Princes park - I asked my son what was that strange lighting arrangement on the other side of the ground; he said that it was the electronic scoreboard.  Had the worst pies and even on a non match day there would be a queue for the ladies toilets.  Absolute disgrace.

Toilets overflowing before quarter time..

[leave it to deever 17,511]

Lakeside...

 

https://theholybootsfootballemporium.com/2012/06/12/home-away-5-lakeside-oval/amp/

[leave it to deever 17,511]

 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2022 by leave it to deever

[leave it to deever 17,511]

I guess umpires had to be braver in those days as there was no sheltered exit for them.

[leave it to deever 17,511]

16 hours ago, Jontee said:

steel beer cans

Those things were deadly at a quiet patch during the cricket. Whoever invented a dangerous projectile, only to then fill it up with an anger inducing liquid was evil.

Edited January 15, 2022 by leave it to deever

[dl4e 5,851]

2 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

Joining the throng of Melbourne supporters in the change rooms immediately after a win at the ‘G’, chatting to the players as they rehydrated with cans of VB, and joining them in rousing renditions of both verses of the Grand Auld Flag. There were plenty of wins back then too. Of course, it was a male only domain.

I remember trying to get in before the game. A bit of a hit and miss but the smell of the eucalyptus oil was something I won't forget.

[dl4e 5,851]

1 hour ago, demon3165 said:

Toilets overflowing before quarter time..

This wasn't just at the suburban grounds but when we played the filth or essendon at the G their suppporters would present themselves at the hand wash basins. 

[Demon_spurs 1,853]

One of the funniest and Scariest thinks I have ever witnessed was a Victoria park. For some unknown reason there was a hot dog stand in the middle of the crowd opposite the social club end, and I saw 4 Collingwood supporters tip the hot stand to an angle of a bout 45 degrees, with the hot dog guy madly clinging onto each side of the booth, (and hot dogs sliding along the counter) until one of the local constabulary, casually looked across and said "I think that will do boys", and they tipped him straight again

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,246]

Victoria Park was known as 'the zoo'.

Somewhat disrespectful to animals I think.

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

35 minutes ago, Winners at last said:

Victoria Park was known as 'the zoo'.

Somewhat disrespectful to animals I think.

It was certainly different to anywhere else i have been to on this planet!!

[MT64 1,144]

5 hours ago, Hellish Inferno said:

Let's not forget they had an elephant walk around the ground at half time one time.

[dl4e 5,851]

20 minutes ago, MT64 said:

Let's not forget they had an elephant walk around the ground at half time one time.

Mick Nolan ?

[Guest]

Every Saturday arvo my brother took me to the footy much to our mum’s disquiet, as she worried about my safety. Her reservation was justified since I heard and saw things that would disturb a 56yo let alone a 6yo. Thing is, she remained none the wiser. Pretty much every week my brother would have occasion to say, “don’t tell mammy about this.” 

One time at Victoria Park there was a Collingwood supporter a couple of rows behind us. She was hands down the most feral, filthy-mouthed piece of scum ever there was. She was literally screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs at anyone and everyone, with Collingwood players being the sole exception. And the language! I was hearing words that I never knew existed and to this day I don’t think I’ve ever met/heard/seen anyone, male or female, so disgusting. She was flanked by two huge Neanderthals, her meathead friends, so since everyone in earshot valued their lives, no one dared say a word. Nor even look at her. They all learned from my mistake: I foolishly turned to sneak  a furtive glance at her early in the piece to which she responded, “what’re you [censored]in’ lookin’ at, ya freckle-faced, c**k sucking lil mole?!” And that was nothing compared to what she had to say about oppo players and the umpires!

I was silent all the way home. When my mum saw me she was mortified. She turned to my brother and said, “what happened to her?! She’s as white as a sheet! She’s looks like she’s seen a ghost!!!” My brother, bearing in mind that if she knew the truth that’d be the last match to which he’d be allowed to take me, said, “Oh, she’s just kinda in shock, we just witnessed the most scintillating footy match ever!” 😆

That’s just one of many, many experiences that wouldn’t and couldn’t happen nowadays, but were commonplace back then. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,038]

51 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Every Saturday arvo my brother took me to the footy much to our mum’s disquiet, as she worried about my safety. Her reservation was justified since I heard and saw things that would disturb a 56yo let alone a 6yo. Thing is, she remained none the wiser. Pretty much every week my brother would have occasion to say, “don’t tell mammy about this.” 

One time at Victoria Park there was a Collingwood supporter a couple of rows behind us. She was hands down the most feral, filthy-mouthed piece of scum ever there was. She was literally screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs at anyone and everyone, with Collingwood players being the sole exception. And the language! I was hearing words that I never knew existed and to this day I don’t think I’ve ever met/heard/seen anyone, male or female, so disgusting. She was flanked by two huge Neanderthals, her meathead friends, so since everyone in earshot valued their lives, no one dared say a word. Nor even look at her. They all learned from my mistake: I foolishly turned to sneak  a furtive glance at her early in the piece to which she responded, “what’re you [censored]in’ lookin’ at, ya freckle-faced, c**k sucking lil mole?!” And that was nothing compared to what she had to say about oppo players and the umpires!

I was silent all the way home. When my mum saw me she was mortified. She turned to my brother and said, “what happened to her?! She’s as white as a sheet! She’s looks like she’s seen a ghost!!!” My brother, bearing in mind that if she knew the truth that’d be the last match to which he’d be allowed to take me, said, “Oh, she’s just kinda in shock, we just witnessed the most scintillating footy match ever!” 😆

That’s just one of many, many experiences that wouldn’t and couldn’t happen nowadays, but were commonplace back then. 

The last time i went to Vic Park was ‘92

We beat them, with Allen Jakovich kicking a bag. It was a heavy vibe waiting for the train at Vic Park Station. 
i still have the same scarf, that went to all those grounds, and was at Waverley in 1987
i wore it very proudly during the Grand Final

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The last time i went to Vic Park was ‘92

We beat them, with Allen Jakovich kicking a bag. It was a heavy vibe waiting for the train at Vic Park Station. 
i still have the same scarf, that went to all those grounds, and was at Waverley in 1987
i wore it very proudly during the Grand Final

If that scarf could talk, right?

[Demonstone 22,525]

I've posted this before, but it belongs in this thread.

In round 20 of 1982, my Demon mate and I went to Victoria Park for the first (and last) time to watch Melbourne play Collingwood.  We found standing room in a packed outer but soon realised we were surrounded by a seething mob of dirty, ugly, loud, abusive, obscene, smelly and toothless black and white supporters.  Almost without exception, they were drunk, smoking like chimneys, swearing like wharfies and even at this early stage of the day fighting amongst themselves.  Rather than relinquish their spot in the crowd, they were peeing where they stood.  Some of the men were just as bad.

We started well with the wind but the Pies had regained the lead by half-time.  The third quarter was all ours with eight goals and in the last, we kicked another eight to finish all over them by nine goals.  Glenn McLean was magnificent that day, marking everything in sight and earning the three Brownlow votes.  Collingwood were so impressed that they traded for him and you will rapt to hear that Glenn went on to have a wonderful two-game career with the Pies.

Having kept very, very quiet all day for fear of attracting the wrong sort of attention, the beers (ice-cold cans!) finally got the better of me and this is when I did the craziest thing in my life.  As Mark 'Jacko' Jackson kicked his seventh to seal victory, I let rip with a loud "Go Demons!!".  Things then went eerily quiet in the outer as hundreds of pairs of beady eyes bored into us.  I looked at my mate, he nodded and we turned and ran as fast as we could towards the exit and kept going all the way to Johnstone Street where we jumped on the first bus we found.  It didn't matter that it was heading in the wrong direction, we just wanted to get away from that horrible joint.  Only my drycleaner will know just how frightened I was that day.

[radar 1,865]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The last time i went to Vic Park was ‘92

We beat them, with Allen Jakovich kicking a bag. It was a heavy vibe waiting for the train at Vic Park Station. 
i still have the same scarf, that went to all those grounds, and was at Waverley in 1987
i wore it very proudly during the Grand Final

Was there too. 
only kicked 2 goals in the last quarter. 
Both in time on. 
Chopper Lovell and Sean Wight. 
Got up by 9 points. 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,219]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The last time i went to Vic Park was ‘92

We beat them, with Allen Jakovich kicking a bag. It was a heavy vibe waiting for the train at Vic Park Station. 
i still have the same scarf, that went to all those grounds, and was at Waverley in 1987
i wore it very proudly during the Grand Final

What a game that was, we cost the Pies top spot or the double chance if I remember correctly and they lost an Elimination Final to the Saints. They thought they had another flag in them after the hangover in 1991 and the win was as sweet as anything. I was there as a 10 year old standing in the outer with my dad and uncles (one a Collingwood supporter). I walked out of the game towards Hoddle St screaming Grand Old Flag at the top of my lungs I remember getting some dirty looks but noone said or did anything.

Had one of the best hamburgers that day too there was a grill setup just inside the entry gates - at least they knew how to do something right.

Actually as a kid I never witnessed many issues at any of the suburban grounds but I guess we were generally in the outer with other Melbourne supporters. In my experience stkilda supporters have been the worst I've experienced and it has always been at the G.

[leave it to deever 17,511]

59 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

mob of dirty, ugly, loud, abusive, obscene, smelly and toothless black and white 

No love lost here. Dont hold back mate. As per my previous post here..my mate and I chickened out at age 12 seems in hindsight, the correct call.

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by leave it to deever

[leave it to deever 17,511]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

The last time i went to Vic Park was ‘92

We beat them, with Allen Jakovich kicking a bag. It was a heavy vibe waiting for the train at Vic Park Station. 
i still have the same scarf, that went to all those grounds, and was at Waverley in 1987
i wore it very proudly during the Grand Final

My fondest memory of AJ was when he kicked a bag at Moorabbin...I cant remember how many it was now....I thought it was ten but that seems too much. We won though. There were some angry and ferral Aints fans there too. Won it off his own boot. I think I'll see if I can Google it. I cant remember what year but it must be close to when they shut that s@#$/^le down. Man that guy was a star.

I need the footy to return ASAP

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by leave it to deever

[Dr. Gonzo 24,219]

31 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

My fondest memory of AJ was when he kicked a bag at Moorabbin...I cant remember how many it was now....I thought it was ten but that seems too much. We won though. There were some angry and ferral Aints fans there too. Won it off his own boot. I think I'll see if I can Google it. I cant remember what year but it must be close to when they shut that s@#$/^le down. Man that guy was a star.

I need the footy to return ASAP

 

 

[leave it to deever 17,511]

58 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

 

Wow. Thanks so much Dr G.

That was the one alright. I think it was nine or ten by AJ. 

Such great names on both sides. 

Spaldings waltz through a pack in the middle.

Todd Viney as tough if not tougher than Jack.

Stynes with 13 or so mark's. 

And the booing....just like an eagles game.

I'm not sure if I've just been watching the gf too many times but the pace of this old game seemed a lot slower. Certainly not softer. It was the last quarter though. Maybe the turf was wet. Nonetheless it was certainly a smash and crash game with no prisoners taken.

Edited January 16, 2022 by leave it to deever

[leave it to deever 17,511]

Also we had to play all our finals that year at crappy Waverly which cost us.