About 6 weeks ago, I found myself at Melbourne Airport on the way to New Zealand. As I sat waiting for my flight, I decided to email MFC and ask them if it was possible for my 93 year old father, my son and I to have our pictures taken with the 2021 premiership cup. I sent this email with absolutely no expectations, but hoping we might get the chance to have a quick snap with the cup. With Dad being 93, how many chances would we get to do it?

The club replied. “We’d love to”, they said. “How about we bring the cup to your Dad’s house for 15 minutes and you can all get pics?” Wow!!!! So after a few emails back and forth, it was decided that the cup would attend my parent’s house in Cranbourne for 15 minutes on Monday, March 9th.

So, I invited my big brother and his son, who are mad Demons as well, and we arrived at my parents early in expectation. I set up a small table in the middle of the lounge and warned them all that we most probably wouldn’t be able to touch the cup. We didn’t care!!

I heard a noise at the front of the house, and up walked our new friend Avi, with the cup. “Here’, he said “You take it in!!” I walked into the house in my best Garry Lyon 2021 GF imitation with the cup. For the next 45, YES 45!!!! Minutes, we laughed, we told stories, we hugged, we took so many pics, and we had one of the great days of our life. We made a new friend in Avi, and we made memories we will never forget.

The most poignant part of the day was when my Dad said he had only started barracking for Melbourne because in 1939, when he was in an orphans home, he was asked what team he barracked for, and he said Melbourne because they had just won the premiership and he didn’t know any other teams.

After 45 minutes of bliss, the cup had to leave. We sat around talking and laughing about our day, and eventually, as we left, my Dad hugged me and with tears in his eyes, said “Thank you”.

I have never been so proud to be a Melbourne supporter in my life. Sebastian at MFC and Avi are the greatest people, and we are lucky to have them at our club.

I have attached some pics, but I just want to say that we are blessed to be Melbourne supporters, we have the greatest club and the greatest people involved in it. GO DEES.

That's amazing

Brought a tear to my eye.

Amazing!
Treasure that, one of my biggest heartbreaks was Dad and I never saw a flag together, both 20+yr members before he passed.

Such a great story, thanks for sharing!

What a beautiful story. You should be very proud of your wonderful dad. Have a great day, and CARN THE DEMONS on Sunday.

That’s a fantastic memory for you and your family (particularly’Dad’), and cudos to the club for being so responsive to your request.

Treasure it!

Great story. Well done MFC

Wow, I thought this might be some cheezy post, but it's a lovely, touching story. Well done MFC.

This is amazing! Makes me so proud to be a Demons member.

Footy is a thread that weaves its way through the story of so many of our families. It’s easy to forget how much it’s given us all.

Anyone on here, who hasn't "met the cup" you really should do it....

Had a similar experience with my dad. He was a lifelong supporter, we attended every week. He got cancer in 2020. Beat it. It came back in 2021. He held on to witness the flag, and a then board member we know (thanks buddy :)) arranged for the cup to visit him at this home. He died a month or so later aged 73.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by Allen Jakovich

Lovely story

Thanks for posting

Life is made of special memories

Thank you for sharing this story Bendigo_Demon 2, it did bring a tear to my eye!

As a farther who had a son like you do this for them, it is very special and a great memory to cherish.

Below is a picture that was taken a couple of hours after the MCG Replay of the GF and the presentation of the Cup and Players had finished. My son who at the time worked at the club, bought it over to our house as a surprise. The Bleasdale Premiership Shiraz seemed very appropriate, and yes, we do support the greatest club in the land, GO DEES!

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by ANB Fan Boy

Beautiful story @Bendigo_Demon2 . Thanks for sharing (as I reach for a tissue).

Awesome story, beautiful read, thank you for sharing.

What a great story—and memory for your family. Add me to the reaching for tissues list. Thank you for sharing and the photos. This is just what I needed after the last few weeks I’ve had. It reminds me that there are great people in the world and good things happen.

Premium solid gold sincerity.

You and the family are a credit to the club.

Great story. I was fortunate enough to see the flag in Perth (live in the NT). When Melbourne played in Alice the next year they ran a kids clinic and mentioned they were bringing a special guest. It was the cup. They just put it on a table and my son and I got to hold it. I didn’t cry at the game (to much euphoria) but hugging that beautiful trophy was an emotional moment!

This is amazing. Good on you for reaching out. ❤️💙

11 hours ago, Bendigo_Demon2 said:

About 6 weeks ago, I found myself at Melbourne Airport on the way to New Zealand. As I sat waiting for my flight, I decided to email MFC and ask them if it was possible for my 93 year old father, my son and I to have our pictures taken with the 2021 premiership cup....

Awsome story. Thanks for sharing.

It does make me proud of our club and give me hope that as much as the game has become commercialised to the hilt, the club is willing to go the extra mile for such personal connections to us as members / supporters.

Incidentally, I had to look pretty hard at your photo and read your full story, because I kept expecting to read the bit where you'd say that our new draftee from East Ringwood, Xavier Taylor came our to visit you with the cup!! - one for the look-a-likes thread maybe 😂

Edited 46 minutes ago46 min by Rodney (Balls) Grinter