Footy is a passion, not some cold hearted, spread sheet dominated rational exercise.
On a Monday, you want irrational reaction. You want emotion to trump reason.
What you really want is idiotic hysteria.
You’ve come to the right place.
Friday
Melbourne (140) v Western Bulldogs (66)
As I write this, I’m mindful of how quickly Richmond fans went from having all the goodwill in the world to being insufferable.
I’m here to assure you that won’t happen with Melbourne fans. We’ll keep our feet firmly planted on the ground.
Why, to prove how grounded we remain, I had a beautiful moment about half an hour after the game where I let the staff come up from the basement and have a drink with me.
The day started early, I couldn’t sleep, the nerves had got me, and luckily, there were only a billion hours until the game started.
I know a few people like the night or twilight timeslot because they think the most exciting thing about a footy game are fireworks and a light display. I do not.
The AFL like it because they like money and the ratings were so high for this one, mainly because most of the Eastern seaboard’s population are currently locked in their house.
Higher ratings mean more money, so therefore the AFL would like everyone to be locked in their houses on Grand Final day. You heard it here first.
Personally, my favourite bit about a Grand Final is the football, but I know that marks me as odd and old fashioned.
The day crept by so slowly that it made The Irishman seem like a fast-paced jaunt.
My stress levels weren’t helped by deciding to watch the Melbourne Storm, only to see the favourites choke so hard my throat hurt watching it.
I thought the Storm game would be a distraction, instead, it was a reminder that bad things happen in big games, and I started shaking and couldn’t feel my arm.
Luckily there were about ten hours of pre-game lead-in on Fox Footy and who wouldn’t want that?
By the time the pre-game entertainment started I was a mess, I felt all 57 years of pain and suffering weighing on my body. I had all the symptoms of covid, plus Ebola, avian flu, swine flu and gout, and I knew I only had gout.
The pre-game entertainment was a welcome distraction, I was keen to see how the first Grand Final held outside of Australia would go, and overall, it wasn’t an unmitigated disaster. In fact, it was rather excellent.
All thought of the game was quickly put aside the moment I saw Baker Boy’s tracksuit. An assault on the eyes but strangely hypnotic. And yes, I would purchase one in a heartbeat if it came with a vest and hat.
We then had a host of WA artists perform Great Southern Land, Colin Hay kicked off Land Down Under and Eskimo Joe continue their decades-long attempt to understand just what are the point of fingers?
Overall, it was competent stuff that worked a lot better than it should have and was easily the best gig of 2006.
The only jarring moment was seeing Mike Brady wander around the Melbourne CBD singing Up There Cazaly without being caught up in a riot or being tear-gassed by police. I also noticed he wasn’t wearing a mask and he should be cancelled immediately.
Then we had Amy Manford belt out the national anthem and she was amazing, and I was suddenly ready.
As the teams ran out it suddenly dawned on me this was happening.
As a Dees supporter, the first quarter was everything I wanted, the Dees had shown up.
Jack Viney flattened Jack Macrae almost immediately, and Mitch Hannan was on the end of a bump from the hamstrung Steven May.
I couldn’t sit down. I was pacing the lounge room, like an overweight prizefighter.
A 21-point lead at quarter-time had me suddenly daring to believe that the curse of Norm Smith, my life’s greatest nemesis, (if you don’t count my own self-sabotaging behaviour) could be over.
Then the second quarter began, and suddenly the entire complexion of the game changed.
Adam Treloar went into the middle, and Marcus Bontempelli started to get going.
Bontempelli has always terrified me, and suddenly all my nightmares were coming true.
The Bulldogs had arrived, surging the ball forward relentlessly.
And the goals came. Adam Treloar had two goals in the first three minutes. Melbourne were being destroyed by Collingwood and they weren’t even in the game.
Treloar then set up Aaron Naughton and I went from pacing to sitting down on the couch and didn’t bother using a glass anymore, I just drank the Grange straight from the bottle.
When Gawn kicked what was a goal (it was I tell you, I’ve studied it more than people have studied the Zapruder Film), only for it to be called a behind, I became convinced that the curse had once again put its fingers around my heart and started squeezing.
Halftime came as a welcome relief, things were not going well for the Dees, and the Bulldogs looked fantastic.
The Bont had grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck, the Dees early momentum had stalled and now I had a Birds of Tokyo performance to get through.
It was not a good time to be locked in my house alone. This wasn’t because people were obeying Covid restrictions, it was because I have no friends.
The third quarter got going, and not a lot had changed. If anything, the Bulldogs seemed to be getting better.
Collingwood’s Treloar kept getting better, Bont was killing the Dees, and then Jason Johannisen booted a goal following a hanger in the goal square.
The Bulldogs weren’t only winning, they were putting together a highlights package so good it made a Michael Bay film appear understated.
By this stage I wasn’t sitting on the couch, I was lying in the foetal position on the floor.
Then, with 11 minutes 17 seconds left in the third quarter, Bontempelli booted a goal while an AFL official tried to put the Norm Smith Medal around his neck.
I was pretty sure at this point it was all over.
It may surprise you, but I’ve watched the replay about twenty times already, and there is no sign at all of what was about to come.
Melbourne had not been slowly getting back into the game. There was no stemming the bleeding, an increase in work rate or winning stoppages.
None of the usual warning signs of an imminent turnaround.
With just under ten minutes left in the quarter, Caleb Daniel slung Max Gawn over the boundary line, in an obvious attempt to murder him, but even this didn’t seem like a moment the Dees decided enough was enough.
What did happen though, was from this point, Luke Jackson got a run in the ruck, and it was to prove telling.
With just over nine minutes left, James Harmes burst out of a stoppage and hit Bayley Fritsch on the lead. The following goal at least proved Melbourne was still alive.
To think we got him for the pick we got in exchange for Jack Watts. It’s like trading in your 1987 Corolla and getting a Ferrari in return.
Then from the next stoppage, the ball went forward, and Fritsch leapt didn’t mark but landed on his feet, gathered, and snapped another.
The man is a double threat, immaculate hair and goalkicking, a dangerous combination.
The very next stoppage Petracca burst forward and hit the man that North Melbourne rejected, Ben Brown who kicked true.
Suddenly there was one point in it, and I was up off the couch, like a man reborn.
The Dees were back in it, and I was more excited than a man who discovered a tub of quince paste in the back of the fridge.
Just minutes earlier I was living a nightmare, now suddenly, all my dreams were coming true. We may not win, I thought, but we were in it.
Even Steven May, who due to his dodgy hamstring was as lame as your parents trying to rap, was taking marks.
Then Brayshaw dived for a mark, and went back for the kick, with BT complaining he wasn’t preparing properly for the shot at goal, so of course, he drilled it and the Dees had four in a row.
The third quarter was rapidly approaching the end but at least the Dees had the lead, and the fourth quarter looked like it would begin with both teams pretty much on even terms.
Then the last minute of the third happened, surely the most astounding minute of football in a Grand Final ever.
Ben Brown kicked the ball forward, only for the ball to hit the ground, falling to Christian Petracca on the boundary, who off a step put the ball on the outside of his foot and dribbled it straight through the middle.
I’ve stood and looked at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, viewed the Mona Lisa and seen Bruce Springsteen live numerous times, and I can tell you, Petracca’s goal was art on this level.
To sum everything up in a tenth of a second and then to execute what was an audacious attempt and make it look easy, I mean, you’re watching a genius.
The next stoppage saw Jackson get the ball to Viney, who extracted it to Petracca, who handballed to Oliver, it was like a greatest hits album, all killer no filler, with the ball ending up in Tom Sparrow’s hands, who launched for goal, and there was Tom McDonald, pushing Zaine Cordy through the goals and over, to allow the ball to go through untouched.
It had been thirty seconds of complete mayhem, and it wasn’t over.
Once again, the Dees sprung forward from a centre bounce, Luke Jackson showing that he’s a midfielder and a ruckman, gathering the ball cleanly and hitting a full-tilt Clayton Oliver on the run with a looping handball, who streamed into the forward fifty and drilled the goal.
In one minute, it had gone from entering the fourth quarter on relatively even terms to the Dees having a comfortable lead.
Every footy fan had the same question on their mind, what the hell just happened?
The only thing I can say is a few times this year when the Demons hit their top gear, they go to a level no other team can get near. It becomes irrelevant who is out there against them.
They did it in both finals, against Geelong in that Round 23 second half, against the Lions earlier in the year.
But this was something else.
Bontempelli’s goal, rather than being the goal that broke the Dees, became the Bulldogs last shot in anger. The Doggies were cooked at this point, and we just didn’t know it.
Like Melbourne’s earthquake last week, which signalled something was up, decades of pressure building up below the surface were finally released in the most dramatic fashion.
I couldn’t believe it and I can barely believe it now.
The fourth quarter became a procession of Melbourne goals, where like every Melbourne fans second favourite thing, compound interest, the returns just got bigger and bigger.
Fritsch ended up with six and Ben Brown delivered everything Melbourne could have asked of him.
The pure joy I felt as the minutes ticked down, and after Alex Neal-Bullen kicked truly I relaxed and knew we had it, is hard to describe.
The thing is, and I know so many Dees fans felt the same, this was something we genuinely believed would never happen.
It hadn’t just been a few years between drinks, it had been 57 years. Why Queen Elizabeth II was the Australian Head of State last time Melbourne won a premiership!
That’s meant fifty-seven years of going to games when you knew more often than not that not only would you not taste victory, you were going to get belted.
So many of us over those years weren’t at the snow. We were at the bloody MCG, in the cold, in those old red seats of the Olympic Stand, watching our club be embarrassed on a weekly basis and paying for the privilege.
We sat through the merger debate, where those of us who voted no, had to watch the yes vote get up.
People would say Melbourne fans didn’t have any passion, but when you consider what we went through, it was amazing there are any Melbourne fans at all.
And it never stopped hurting. No amount of tragedy inured you to the pain in the soul, no callouses built up to protect you.
All that existed was a feeling that there was no escape. We were in hell and hell is forever.
Yet in the space of an hour, 57-years of garbage had been flipped on its head.
The thing that was never going to happen, was happening before our eyes.
It’s why all fans stick loyally to their footy team, and why those that don’t will never understand it.
When the siren went, I thought of the generations that went before, those that worked and fought to keep this club going, to stop it falling away, of being merged, or moved.
From the high-profile cases, Nathan Jones, Jim Stynes, Robbie Flower, to the many we never hear about.
There’s no one person behind this. There are decades of thousands of people pouring in their time, money, mental health.
From the fans who purchased memberships every year when it was a lost cause, to those that fought to stop the club merging, to the ex-players who sacrificed their bodies, to the guy that played the trumpet in the stand.
Thousands of acts of devotion.
There’s no doubt Petracca was the Norm Smith medallist, but like it’s been all season, this is a team that puts the whole above the individual. The penny dropped about that this year, which is fitting as we were still using those last time Melbourne won a premiership.
Take Max Gawn, who when Luke Jackson was up and about, was happy to drop out of the ruck to capitalise on his hot hand. There was no trying to be the hero, as Max had done that the week before.
What worked for the team was what was important. What an act of true leadership.
Add to that Oliver did more on Bontempelli in the second half, probably limiting his own possession count for the good of the team.
With the Premiership finally secured, I was as emotional as my rather outdated view of manhood allows me to be.
I certainly felt for Bulldogs supporters, I’ve been on the end of these and it’s the worst, there’s nothing I can say to make that any better.
I’m just glad they have had the experience I’m having now.
To watch the players celebrate just meant so much to me, and despite Simon Goodwin not being allowed to speak, to be fair, Basil Zempilas did allow us to lift the cup and I’m thankful he let us play a small supporting role in The Basil Zemplis Show.
And now, it’s so nice to be able to watch a Grand Final replay without having to get the projector out of the garage and it’s in colour. I mean it’s been so long we’ve gone from black and white to ultra-HD in between premierships.
I never thought I’d say this, but it was even better than an AFLX premiership!
In the end, it’s the hope that kills you, but it’s also the hope that sees you reborn anew.
Footy is tragedy and footy is glorious, I write this as someone that’s been through it all.
I loved footy before Saturday and I love it now, and I will forever.
You can help support me in producing this ridiculous nonsense I churn out on a regular basis. Find out more here: https://titusoreily.com/support-titus
COMMENTS
Vincent
Sep 27, 2021
This piece is your Grand Final!
Frank LeFaucheur
Sep 27, 2021
Onya Titus - they couldn't have done it without you !! Was there live and it was "UNBELIEVABLE" - you can rest easy in Heaven now ! FL
Lin Kendall
Sep 27, 2021
Best line, you enjoyed it more than the AFLW.
Gerard Reed
Sep 27, 2021
That suit DOES come with a vest and hat… I’m buying you one Titus! Passion!
Julie
Sep 27, 2021
That is the best article you've ever written, congratulations to you and all Dee's supporters and players, past present and no longer with us.
Garry
Sep 27, 2021
That's how I felt in 1990, nothing like it. Enjoy Titus!
Jon Biesse
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations Titus. It can't be easy writing about footy week in, week out, year after year, when your team is crap. You are forced to live out your seemeingly never-ending pain in public, over and over, for the purpose of making the rest of us laugh. Tough gig and you have done it with aplomb.
So it was delightful to read your GF review and feel your elation, relief, disbelief, excitment and fulfillment. You and all other Dees fans deserve to enjoy every single second of this. You are a shining example of loyalty to club. Well done mate and thanks for ann the pleasure you give the rest of us.
SS
Sep 27, 2021
So happy for you and all Melbourne supporters Titus - magnum opus all round!!
Johnb
Sep 27, 2021
Well done Titus - was rather expecting your Reaction to be totally unintelligible alcohol and triumph fuelled garbled mish-mash (as opposed to the normal totally unintelligible alcohol and despair fuelled garbled mish-mash). Big effort to produce pretty much anything in the circumstances!
LC
Sep 27, 2021
Beautiful write-up, Titus.
So pleased for you and other Melbourne supporters.
Can't stand night games either. The pre-game entertainment was great. Loved the Perth artists.
Alan
Sep 27, 2021
The most irrepressible few minutes of football since a fat man torched the Cats 13 years ago! It destroys souls - and we saw that with the Dees and what happened in the 4th quarter. Close GF's are great for the neutral fan, but having the game won let's you enjoy the moment - and most of Australia was with you. You can now do something new in 2022 - look forward to the season with confidence as the reigning Premiers!
Jewels
Sep 27, 2021
Congrats Titus, I'm stunned to think you even got the knee jerk written this week!
Your team were magnificent and very, very worthy premiers. Enjoy!
Julian Noel
Sep 27, 2021
Beautiful writing my friend. Great win: brutal, poetic, relentless, played with great talent and sportsmanship. What a barnstorming win, and such a wonderfully deserving team.
Kafka’s Ghost
Sep 27, 2021
Heartfelt congratulations, Titus. I know exactly how you feel, and what it means to you. As a lifelong Swans fan, from days in the stands at the Lakeside Oval with my dad, aunt and uncle, to regular attendance at the SCG, I know this devotion. I know what 2005 meant to us, after having the club moved and then saving it from dissolution. We all love footy, we all love our clubs, the joys and the pain. Savour this most sweetest of joys, and celebrate like it’s 2021!
By the way, I also love footy for the footy.
Michael J Pryor
Sep 27, 2021
Thanks, Titus. Human endeavour finds expression in all sorts of ways. Joy can be found in all of them, including sport.
Andrew Wilkinson
Sep 27, 2021
Hi Titus,
The ONLY email I wanted to receive today!!
GO DEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Andrew
6 years old when we last won it and sadly couldn't remember it!!
Richmond pommie
Sep 27, 2021
As a Richmond supporter with his feet firmly on the ground, congratulations.
I wanted the Bulldogs to win, so the sequence could starry agin ie Bulldogs,Tigers.
You were well worth it and look forward to the new season
Jason
Sep 27, 2021
Enjoy it and thanks, Titus. Your writing has contributed to our enjoyment of the season as MFC members and fans.
GO DEES!
On behalf of the staff
Sep 27, 2021
Mr O'Reily - We were so grateful to enjoy a celebratory drink with you before returning to prepare your supper.
Ben
Sep 27, 2021
Beautiful work Titus; and now when we are asked who we barrack for "long suffering" accompanied by a rueful smile has been banished forever
Andrew Power
Sep 27, 2021
You thought Amy Mansford was amazing? You must've been hammered before the game. Or you need a new TV.
AB
Sep 27, 2021
Titus you can think the Hawks members who voted NO!, otherwise there would be no such thing as Melbourne. The team, not the city, that would be stupid.
David
Sep 27, 2021
I had blocked trumpet guy from my memory. If I saw him now I would hug him
Ben
Sep 27, 2021
Your best article. Great to see victory hasn't ruined your sense of humour.
Very melbourne brand appropriate this line.
I was more excited than a man who discovered a tub of quince paste in the back of the fridge
Colin
Sep 27, 2021
Not sure you’re right about Caleb’s tackle and verbal abuse on Max not being inspirational. It started the run. Next year I move we reward opposition team members a Daniel when such incidents occur.
Richard Armstrong
Sep 27, 2021
I reckon I've read every word written about the game Titus - reviews and commentary from all the experts (and many from the keyboard warriors) but, without fear of contradiction, this is both the best review of the day and the match but also an ode to our glorious game and our glorious Demons. Many thanks for a belting season.
Did somebody say, Dynasty?
Jenny Kontoudis
Sep 27, 2021
Entertaining article
So happy for Melbourne FC and it’s supporters
From a loyal collingwood supporter
Enjoy the ride
Lance Jilbert
Sep 27, 2021
This is the best thing you’ve written Titus. I feel it with every inch of my being. You captured it perfectly. Thank you mate, thank you. ❤️💙
Simon
Sep 27, 2021
Titus. Congratulations on the win and I loved your piece. A wholly transcendent tome - we've watched your pain along the way, and laughed along with you trying to make sense of this ridiculous personality disorder which some people call being a footy supporter. I had a primary school teacher back in the 1970's who was a true blue demon supporter. Footy mad, she would umpire boy's footy every lunchtime in the winter, and even managed to get Robbie Flower to visit our class one day. She never converted me to a Demon, but if anyone was going to it would have been her. I bumped in to her a couple of years back and she was still going to every game. You've done justice to what this premiership means to you, and to all the lifelong Demons (like my old teacher) barracking along the way.
Cheers to you and all the demons faithful.
Holden Broke
Sep 27, 2021
Titus, I’m a Dockers member, so I think I understand just a little of what you say about footy disappointments that can last for decades.
I was privileged to be inside Perth Stadium as a neutral footy lover, but hoping to see a Melbourne win. On a glorious day, I witnessed something truly special. From the mid-point of the 3rd quarter, the Dees took the game of AFL to whole new level, with unbelievable, astonishing skills. The bar has been set very high for the other 17 teams next season.
Hawka from BrisVegas
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations Titus and the Dees! This is the column you've dreamt of writing and it didn't disappoint - full of glorious HD colour!
David Bland
Sep 27, 2021
Brilliant summary, Titus!
I was there in '64 and have a constant black and white dream, of Gabelich running down the members side and kicking his goal to put them in front - even more than Froggie Crompton kicking our match winning goal.
But, I can now look forward to dreaming about those miraculous minutes, at the end of the 3rd and start of the 4th, when we finally eradicated the "curse"...this time in colour!!
BTW - In '64 we had little more than mum's hand knitted beanie and a few streamers . Does anyone know when it's "appropriate" to take down the Gawn doll and myriad of posters and scarves hanging around the front of our house ??
Ian Prosser
Sep 27, 2021
Magnificent day it was Titus, from hearing Gary Lyon speak about the back of the bus earlier in the day, to the pregame and then the match. Experience of a lifetime here in Perth as a Demon for a Day (I think I qualify as I’ve got two middle names and have 🎿 skied Falls Creek)
Hungry4more
Sep 27, 2021
As a Freo tragic I'm looking forward thirty years when we hold the cup aloft.
Congratulations Titus and all the other long suffering Dee's fans for your longevity.
The Goldfish
Sep 27, 2021
Everything that Jon Biesse said times a billion.
Nathan of Perth
Sep 27, 2021
Very happy for you and all your fellow Dees fans. It's always special to see a long drought break. The suffering of the club and supporters over the last ten years has been raw and painfully apparent to everyone who watches even a modicum of football.
I'm glad that WA was able to play host to such a Grand Final, hopefully it can do so again someday with less onerous restrictions and more opportunity for travelling faithful!
Margaret
Sep 27, 2021
I've been looking forward to this email since the siren sounded on Saturday night. You didn't disappoint, Titus - your monday-knee-jerk-reaction was brilliant. You brought tears to my eyes. You know what we've all been through and you nailed all the emotions and the euphoria so well. And you were funny as always!
Thankyou Titus, and we'll look forward to your work in 2022.
WA Bogan
Sep 27, 2021
Well done Dees.... well deserved... and WA will gladly swap Basil for Bruce AND Eddie.... and you can throw in David Koch for that matter... what an embarrassment ...
Gordon
Sep 27, 2021
On behalf of all Western Australians, I'd like to apologise to Simon Goodwin, the Melbourne Football Club, and all their supporters for the incompetence of Basil Zempilas.
I'd have loved to have heard what Goody had to say on such an historic occasion.
Sadly, we'll never no, thanks to Gonzo...
Matt
Sep 27, 2021
Thanks for articulating what life has been like as a Melbourne supporter of our age. Everything you say resonates with us. Its impossible to describe how awful the 87 Prelim Final loss was for those of us who were there. Everyone was crying, and most of it was for Robbie. Everything since then has been either a horror show, or following good teams that we always knew were never going to be quite good enough. This team has felt different all year. I still can't believe we got one. We die happy now, and will forever more enjoy the footy so much more than we ever have before.
Fashion Doggie
Sep 27, 2021
Thanks Titus a great game and a great read.
I loved every minute of the game - one of the most entertaining GF in memory!
Congratulations to Dee's supports!
Deecharlay
Sep 27, 2021
Great stuff Titus, from the red and blue heart. From the great town of Mount Isa I tried to cross a couple of borders to get to Perth but not allowed so the couch it was, almost foetal position as well but I had faith and was that faith repaid in spades - 16 goals to one doesn't get any better. I was genuinely there in front of the bullring drinking beer out of glass for the Froggy show in 1964 and it's taken those 57 years to feel ecstatic again. Now I can die happy, you beautiful things.
Mary Salvucci
Sep 27, 2021
Fabulous article, love your commentary. I couldn't believe all those goals being kicked in quick succession, I kept asking my husband "is that a replay?", "no it's another goal" he kept telling me, only for me to ask him the same question after the next goal - and the look of total dumbfoundedness (is that a word??) on the faces of the Doggies' faces as it kept raining goals, priceless !!! Looking forward to a back-to-back at the G in 2022 xxx
The g train
Sep 27, 2021
Good to see that success hasn’t spoilt Titus. Although am waiting now for a StK supporter to arise and take over the mantle from Titus as a comic genius fuelled by decades of AFL pain and suffering and misery; which has permeated freely into his broader existence.
It’s funny that even a billion hours before an AFL GF can seem like an eternity.
“…*like* an overweight prizefighter”. I thought Tutus *was* an overweight prize fighter?
Another great season, Titus. Can only express my gratitude with a single word: thanks mate.
Son of plugger
Sep 27, 2021
“I never thought I’d say this, but it was even better than an AFLX premiership!”. Steady on, Titus. Maybe once the celebrations have died a little, you may wish to ponder what you have said and re-evaluate. Or are you just truly irrational?
Dane Helmers
Sep 27, 2021
Summed it up beautifully. I got goosebumps from your retelling, especially the quince paste, that happened to me last year and was the highlight of 2020.
Jesse
Sep 27, 2021
Beautiful article Titus.
Simply momentous and, yet, continue to remain unsure if I can make peace with Trumpet guy
What Happen?
Sep 27, 2021
Bloke, I been residing in Pattaya, Thailand near on 9 years.
We had a massive Monsoonal electrical storm come throo at half time of GF on my ABC tv channel.
Everything got knocked out. No tv, no power, no internet, no anything.
I decided to take a Dagwood on the couch in the heat. Electrics came back 4 hours after final siren to wake me.
Thanks for brilliant summary.
Marcus Holt
Sep 27, 2021
Titus, this is absolutely outstanding. I love your stuff but never comment. This piece forces me to respond. I had several genuine Laugh Out Loud moments. Your summation of the game from the tactical to the emotional captured the Grand Final perfectly. I was there when the Cats broke their 44 year drought so I know exactly how you are feeling. Congratulations to you and your Dees. Thank you.
Jonathan Dowling
Sep 27, 2021
I hope this piece was not your swansong Titus. And if you do go around again next year - limit people’s’ comments to
Jenny
Sep 27, 2021
And you even got a Bruce Springsteen reference in - proving there really is higher being up there somewhere!
Andrew Taylor
Sep 27, 2021
I was sure Melbourne would win and when I heard the national anthem sung in an opera style I was even more convinced. If the Dogs had run out to a large cheeseboard as a banner whilst being pelted with large trout you would've known the fix was in.
Mark
Sep 27, 2021
“…didn’t bother using a glass anymore, I just drank the Grange straight from the bottle.”
Your nerves were completely gone, seems like a perfectly natural thing to do.
Michael O Connor
Sep 27, 2021
Great piece. Well done
Sam
Sep 27, 2021
As a neutral lucky enough to be there, surrounded by Dees supporters, it was a magnificent last quarter! The emotion swept us away and we were so happy to be a tiny part of such a great grand final ❤️💙
Leon
Sep 27, 2021
All I can say as a Crows supporter is that we beat the premiers.
Chris Cooper
Sep 27, 2021
Beautifully written - as usual. A bit concerned that Tracca might get jealous of the the volume of fan mail coming in your direction threatens to dwarf his vast collection.
Bazil Zempalis
Sep 27, 2021
Well in a week where the only thing bigger than my ego and nose, was the grand final - so rest assured I took back the spotlight appropriately. You're welcome.
FarkinUSBwontGoIn
Sep 27, 2021
Your Magnum Opus
David cheeks Way
Sep 27, 2021
Looking fwd to the parade of Range Rovers from the airport to the MCG on the cups return . That'll be a sight . Love ya posts
TD
Sep 27, 2021
Just brilliant Titus. You have described my life as well….
Ken Olah
Sep 27, 2021
Humour is hard work. Your humour has created the two emails I most look forward to each week. This premiership is your just reward for that loyalty to team through thin and thin and for that incredible labour week in, week out, season in, season out. Relish the off season, Titus, can't wait to find your first preview in my inbox for season 2022.
DemonMark224
Sep 27, 2021
The best match report that I have ever read, inspired by the best Melbourne team that I have seen in more than 50 years of watching. Your writing has helped to ease the pain of not being there to see it. Thank you.
Fat Side
Sep 27, 2021
Really happy for you Titus. As a Tiger fan I can attest that the rain that breaks the drought is the sweetest of all.
Special mention to Nathan Jones in the resurrection of the Dees. For many years I dreaded us having to take on the tough, bald, tattooed man as he ferociously led his team, no matter where we, or they, were on the ladder.
And thanks to all the teams who filled in to provide the entertainment in this 2021 final series that will fit neatly between Richmond premierships!
Owen Greenwood
Sep 27, 2021
As a Tigers fan you are spot on re the goodwill.
It will turn quickly if you back it up next season.
So for your own sake make it a one off.
I truly regret our triple flag dynasty as we are so hated AGAIN !
Furthermore the MCC experience will be simply unbearable next season !!!
Michael Turnbull
Sep 27, 2021
Very happy for you, Titus. Well deserved.
Glen Satour
Sep 27, 2021
Titus,
I really believe the Dees deliberately tanked that period, just as a last twist of knife for those who had grown to expect the worst from this team we love, wouldn’t have been surprised if Max had said Na na na na nah, after the game,
Best write up this year!
BLOKE FROM THE OUTER
Sep 27, 2021
Congrats Titus and to the MFC. Melbourne now need to return to being an underachieving club if they don't want to be seen as insufferable.
Who won the Garry Rohan 'I've gone missing on the biggest day' award?
Neil MH
Sep 27, 2021
Oh Titus, you are the wittiness of all witty. Like many, I always look forward to your previews and post mortems, but you have totally outdone yourself, ma friend. Was there in '64 and remember Gabbo bouncing his wobbly way to kick a telling goal, and then Froggy sneaking in to slot through the winner. An epic then and 57 years on, another epic, even though this one was a belting in the end. Congrats to you and the Dees. Roll on season 2022
Gyfox
Sep 27, 2021
Titus - what year was that Grange. Sorry, I meant the quince paste!
Graeme Robinson
Sep 27, 2021
Titus as a Dee Tragic I can along with other tragics understand the bitter sweet relationship we have with Following Melbourne. To Hell with the cheeseboard and Grange - grab a VB and hot dog and celebrate this one fully. You have earned it
Pablo668
Sep 27, 2021
Fantastic write up Titus,
I’m genuinely happy for you and every long suffering Melbourne supporter.
I went all in barracking for you guys in this game, and felt much the same way as you did. I watched this with a bunch of good friends and none of us saw the turnaround coming.
I was so happy it was almost like barracking for my Tigers at Claremont oval.
Here’s hoping you guys snag another flag or two in coming seasons.
John Meckiff
Sep 27, 2021
Brilliant writing TO, compound interest gag was elite, up there with your piece on player Christian names all those years ago
stevo
Sep 27, 2021
Congrats Titus.....so happy for you and all Melbourne fans. As a Swans fan I know what a drought breaking win in a GF means.....2005 was the best! Soak it up, you deserve it. I want to thank your team for winning and confirming that the Bulldogs have still not won a legitimate flag since 1954. Well done!
Dave
Sep 27, 2021
Happy for you Titus
I saw your live show in 2017 immediately after the Eagles beat Adelaide knocking Melbourne out of the finals.
I later heard you talk about the paradox of Eagles supporters being nice to you after the Prelim demolition job in 2018.
So for you to finally experience the joy of a premiership I think is well deserved. If not overdue.
Please keep the entertainment coming. Maybe even try your hand at being an obnoxious bid-headed know it all just for the comedy!
GM
Sep 27, 2021
Great article but I see what you’ve done!
Compassion, heart warming, affection, applauding the opposition, etc. etc. when you really are smug and condescending and basking in the opposition’s ineptness.
I know cos I’m a Carlton member!🤣
Kaitlin
Sep 27, 2021
Oh my gosh that moment BT was complaining about Brayshaw being unprepared when going for goal was so annoying. I’m so glad you picked that up too!
You’ve described the day and night to a tee and captured exactly how every fan was feeling!
Go Dees! A dream come true 🔴🔵🔴🔵
Alan Brotherston
Sep 27, 2021
Albrotha
Great summary that brings to life the raw emotion of the past, present and future.
So pleased for all the Melbourne stalwarts. The team performance was awesome. Whilst it was just a bit worrying when the dees fell behind by a small margin as soon as that switch was flicked to super drive there was no stopping them. The fan elation post game along with this wonderful article highlights why we all are so devoted to this magnificent game. Keep up your insightful verbal and written words Titus.
David McGonigal
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations to you and the Dees Titus. It’s the most I’ve even enjoyed a GF that wasn’t the Swans. You may watch the whole game now but that will pass and you’ll get selective. I’ve told Nick Davis that whenever I’m down I just put the final quarter of the 2005 Semi on and in 30 minutes I feel great. I bet you end up doing the same with that miraculous third quarter. Cheers cheers and well done Dees.
John Vann
Sep 27, 2021
Titus, this is your piece de resistance, your Mona Lisa, your Springsteen concert circa 1975. You’ve hit a peak. eloquent and funny and heartwarming, generous to the Bulldogs even, plus as a bonus slapping that idiot Basil Z. it’s the complete deal. Thank you.
Alan
Sep 27, 2021
Just outstanding Titus.
You have captured the day, the moments, the everything ..
Enjoy our Premiership.
Love your work
Richard
Sep 27, 2021
Awesome Titus. Congratulations 🎉
Circus
Sep 27, 2021
Titus, I'd like to wish you all the joy in the world, but you've just had it!! Any more and your cup will overflow and drown the staff in the basement. The universe keeps doing, well.... universe type things and today is another yesterday piled on top of other wasted yesterdays and tomorrow will be yesterday the day after that. Yes, its very, very tiring!! On a more serious note, you lucky, lucky bastard, your mob was so very good it might happen again next year!! (By the way, we are still waiting for your gratitude at Saints land for deliberately drafting Paddy McCartin so you could get Petracca.)
Paul
Sep 27, 2021
The funny thing about Bayley Fritsch, is that he plays the exact game that they needed from Jack Watts and had he played to his potential, could have done.
Russ
Sep 27, 2021
Well done Titus - enjoy!
Look forward to the podcast with Serge.
stephenwho
Sep 27, 2021
A nice read Titus. I spent the night messaging my mates who support Melbourne. I also watched the replay but via that antiquated cable TV company. The thing that we missed live on "free to air but with a shit load of ads" was the joy of the team as they celebrated each goal in the last 10 mins of the third. It was priceless. And you are right, it wasn't an instant switch. it was just a matter of catching your breath at the end of the third quarter and wondering how that just happened. I hope you take a rest and go outside and give the Jag a good polish.
Tiger Dean
Sep 27, 2021
Good on you Titus, your boys were Dee-markable. It was a cracking match, right up to the point it became a….[wait for it] …. Cakewalk.
As a formerly long suffering Tigers supporter I totally get the feels and almost disbelief you were experiencing when the succession of Melbourne goals became a red and blue tsunami.
I barracked as hard for the Dees in the GF as I did when the Tiges played their first in decades in 2017, the fabulous difference was that this time I wasn’t on the edge of throwing up with anxiety!
Can’t wait for the Anzac eve game between our teams.
Great win, a wonderful thing for Dees fans and football in general.
Woody
Sep 27, 2021
Silly me slipped away for a quick shower in the third quarter when things were tight, came back to see the Dees five goals up!😲😲😲 So I had to watch the replay yesterday to see what I'd missed! Fantastic review Titus, I hope your columns continue next year as they are the best previews and reviews around.
SouthWestCoaster
Sep 27, 2021
So gloriously happy for you Titus and all the other MFC faithful.
Magnificently memorable minus Basil who?
But we’ll remember the wonderful moments and not the other in 10 years time…..
So very pleased for you and your staff.
SOS Brady
Sep 27, 2021
Summed up my night, and that of nearly every MFC member, perfectly. I still can't believe it's real!! GO DEES 🔴🔵🔴🔵
Darren J Ray
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations, Titus. Very happy for you and the true believers.
"His dodgy hamstring was as lame as your parents trying to rap" LOL
Thanks for entertaining us each week.
Anthony
Sep 27, 2021
What a fabulous article. A terrific mix of humour and narrative about the game and what it meant to you and the club. You’re an artist with words and good on you for all the pleasure you got got form a stellar performance by Melbourne after so many years of disappointment. Well deserved
Johnno
Sep 27, 2021
Eloquent and heartfelt summary Titus, I'm really happy for you mate.
Then we had Amy Manford belt out the national anthem....? Amy Manford? I swear that was Daenerys Targaryen. What a coup by Gil to organise that!!
GH
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations Titus. Very happy for you. I felt much the same when the Cats broke their drought in 2007.
I was worried that a Melbourne Premiership might rob you of your writing muse but that was beautiful and now more worried that Melbourne is going to create a dynasty like the Demons of old.
HawkMan
Sep 27, 2021
Hey Leon
Proof that footy is indeed a very strange game.
Dees couldn't beat either Crows or Hawks. Weird
Emu
Sep 27, 2021
I reckon that 3rd and 4th quarter will be on repeat in Demon households for years to come, for anyone other than Doggies supporters it was glorious footy. Congratulations Melbourne fans and good on Ben Brown missed out on the wooden spoon by that much!
Rod Tatchell
Sep 27, 2021
Titus, as one who was at the G in 64 as a 14 year old & who has gone to so many games just to watch Robbie Flower I totally resonated with your experience. In obvious prescient awareness of what was to come, I moved to Perth in 1994, albeit prematurely, to get ready for this years GF.
BUT could it really happen, were they the real deal? Hope after the 1st quarter, anxiety after the second, despair half thru the 3rd and then disbelieving joy. How SWEEEET it is!
This team is actually phenomenal! Thx for the fun and authentic perspective you share!
FairwestEagle
Sep 27, 2021
Sentimental favourites were the Dees and they demolished the Doggies for that last quarter and a bit of the third.Your summary left us all feeling the roller coaster ride that all supporters experience at one time or another.A great knee jerk reaction that was considered and thoughtful Congratulations on AAA grand final presentation Titus .
Elizabeth Grantham
Sep 27, 2021
Thank you Titus, for being able to put into words, so eloquently, every emotion I felt and went through on Saturday night during that amazing incredible Grand Final.
You managed to describe my 66 years of being a Melbourne supporter to a tee
Love your work Titus
Mal Owens
Sep 27, 2021
Hey Titus,
Summed up the emotions of the battle perfectly. Half way through Q3 despair. Half hour later elation. No quince here, just a few beers and an amazed reflection!! I can continue life a happy man.
Cheers
Verna Wellington
Sep 27, 2021
Titus I look forward to your commentary every week and you have not dissatisfied!! Us Dees supporters are so proud and exhilarated and stunned and unbelievably proud of our boys ….
Mick Curry
Sep 27, 2021
Thanks for being the voice of the long suffering. It was a beautiful thing.
Dixie Ford
Sep 27, 2021
Great summary of an extraordinary Grand Final. Good on you for sticking to your guns, and team through the dark days.
Soak it up, because now, for the 1st time in 57 years, "You become the Hunted", Every Week till this time next year.
Walter
Sep 27, 2021
How about BT’s call in the third quarter “Melbourne need to kick at least three out of the next 4 to have a sniff”. We kicked the next 12.
Love your stuff Titus
Mike
Sep 27, 2021
At the ten minute mark of the 3rd I was texting my mates that the Dees had the game won - kiss of death.
I echo Gordon. As a proud West Australian I'd like to extend sincere apologies to the rest of Australia for Basil. The bloke is a complete knob and an embarrassment to the state and the nation.
Brilliant writing, Titus. I've been looking forward to your post mortem since half way through the last quarter - enjoy.
As good as Petracca was, in fact as good as anything I've seen by Dusty and Hodge, I loved Brayshaw's game. Desperation personified.
It's a grand old flag!
Keith Martine
Sep 27, 2021
Thanks Titus, for a wonderful season and for this GF writing, which is extraordinary in it's depth and summations. And congratulations on the Demons win, well deserved.
I know your mum.
Sep 27, 2021
The next few weeks are going to be difficult for you. You will need to reassess your entire football and personal identity. The struggle you have clung to like a cozy blanket has been ripped off your flabby naked thighs and you have stared directly into the face of god. You now have a taste for the glory which will all to soon be gone again, leaving you with a strange tingling sensation and emotions that seem more real in memory that at the time you actually experienced them.
This may result in you buying an oversized framed jumper for $1000 and then having to look at your distasteful pool hall level hubris hanging on a wall in your sex dungeon for the rest of your life.
Which will make it harder to ejaculate.
David
Sep 27, 2021
Wow - a record number of comments!!
Believe it or not, at ¾ time I texted all my friends “what the hell just happened?”
Still couldn’t enjoy it until Clarry and Trac did the jump and bump!
Stoney
Sep 27, 2021
BIG FELLA ,loved your candid look at the game .Having followed the DEES all of my 67 years and voting NO at the merger I understand only too well on what you wrote. I have said all year GET ON BOARD AND ENJOY THE RIDE. I was getting nervous in that 2nd qtr but thought we could come back. For the whole game I stood and paced the lounge as I have no staff to do that for me. Again I have enjoyed everything you have posted and will look forward to reading what you come up with next year. Remember also WE are the only team that can go back to back next season.GO YOU MIGHTY DEMONS....
Stoney
Sep 27, 2021
Big fella I forgot to say how bloody PROUD of my club and team I am. When you start to do live shows again can you please send us emails so we can come and see the said show and say thank you in person ?
Stoney
Sep 27, 2021
BIG FELLA ,loved your candid look at the game .Having followed the DEES all of my 67 years and voting NO at the merger I understand only too well on what you wrote. I have said all year GET ON BOARD AND ENJOY THE RIDE. I was getting nervous in that 2nd qtr but thought we could come back. For the whole game I stood and paced the lounge as I have no staff to do that for me. Again I have enjoyed everything you have posted and will look forward to reading what you come up with next year. Remember also WE are the only team that can go back to back next season.GO YOU MIGHTY DEMONS....
Saint Peter
Sep 27, 2021
Well played to Melbourne & thanks to the Doggies for giving us a very interesting game. Who was going to take home "Normie". It only depended on which side one the game. Well played Christian P. His last 2 games were excellent.
With all the heartache Melbourne fans had to go through, Melbourne has now transferred that pain onto the St.Kilda FC. It now holds the record for the longest gap between premierships. Lets hope the AFL are forward planning. maybe Clarko will coach us with Buckley as his assistant & Robert Harvey as well.
After David took down Goliath on the boundary, unfortunately for Doggies fans, all that did was fire up the Demons players & only the siren stopped the charge to 3/4 time & full time. Lessen there is if you try to take down Goliath you had better finish the job. They didn't because they weren't Hawthorn players or Essendon players doing it. It was a physical game but not in a dirty sense. Well played both teams.
Also we got to see fire works during the day & at night. Looked better at night, so lets start at twilight to finish in the dark. But the news time slot will stuff that idea up. Thanks for another great year Titus. Enjoy the summer basking in the glory of being a member of a premiership club. I now am hoping for the same feeling before another earthquake occurs or another pandemic tries to kill me. I understand all Melbourne members will be getting commemorative cheese boards with 2021 Premiers on it. Enjoy.
Denis
Sep 27, 2021
Congratulations Titus, mate I’m so glad the Dees won for you buddy, they were bloody good.
Enjoy champ.
AlisonA1961
Sep 27, 2021
Love your write-ups, Titus, and this did not disappoint. So much of it I was just laughing out loud, so good. (Can relate to looking for quince paste at the back of the fridge.) I, like many Dees supporters, have been going to the games (for 40 years, since I migrated to our beautiful shores) through thick and thin (aka thin and thin), rain, shine or almost snow like conditions - for the sake of my beautiful Dees. To watch a game as on Saturday just blew me away. I am with you, still trying to work out how come the shift. Like other supporters, I thought ‘here comes the choke’, while still holding on to the hope that we could over run them, given our tenacity and style this year. And when the game turned and instead it was a ski lift up to the top, leaving the Doggies in its blistering wake, I realised, it didn’t matter. The boys lifted as a team and got the job done. Love the team, love the boys, love the red and the blue. Power and passion. Go the Mighty Dees. ❤️💙
Daniel
Sep 27, 2021
As a South Adelaide Panthers supporter, I wish I could share your joy. The Panthers lost to the Glenelg Tigers, in the Preliminary Final, the day before the Demons victory. The last time the Panthers won an SANFL premiership was in 1964, like the Demons. As I was born in November 1964, I have never seen the Panthers win a SANFL Premiership. I’m guessing you’re younger than me, so you would never have seen the Demons win a VFL/AFL Premiership either - until now. I’m still waiting. There’s always next year.
Frosty
Sep 27, 2021
A nicely written tribute to the game, the match, the teams, the players, and the winners. A lot of love in there. The panel has agreed unanimously to award you this year’s “Alf Brown Medal” for sports writing excellence.
Sheldon Wiebe
Sep 27, 2021
As a Hawthorn fan who barracks for the Doggies when they're not playing the Hawks I can simultaneously feel sad for the Doggies and pleased as punch that another generational drought has ended.
The Dees put the Doggies back in their kennel and have every right to feel as good as they must do now.
This might be your best column, too. So it's a win for all involved (and all following).
Well said, sir.
Mac Hawk
Sep 27, 2021
A Grand old flag for you !
Greeny
Sep 27, 2021
Very well written mate. Loved it!!!
Paul
Sep 27, 2021
The premiership win, after reading this has finally sunk in . . . . tears of happiness are flowing. thanks Titus
Anthony
Sep 28, 2021
Thanks Titus!! Like you, I am a long suffering Dees have and have left many a game at 3/4 time. When my son was 5 or 6, I remember coming home from a game and him asking, “Dad, did the Dees get pumped today?”
The sheer joy of watching this with my now 18 year old son, tears streaming down my face and a smile that may never disappear, is just the most indescribable feeling in the world. And boy, it took just the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen on a football field to compensate for the 57 years!!!!
Rosscoe
Sep 28, 2021
A renowned arse-hat commentator who shall remain nameless (let's call them Trian Baylor) said in a game halfway through the year that he wouldn't believe the Dees story until they were holding the cup. Turns out that was as prescient as his criticism of Brayshaw not facing the goals. Typical valuable commentary from the channel 7 team...
Enjoy the buzz of a broken drought!
TARAX CLUB
Sep 28, 2021
Titus just like those fabulous DEMONS you have saved your very best to the last. This premiership has bought so much joy to so many loyal red and blue supporters. In what was an epic Grand Final worthy of a Cecil B Demille blockbuster. From the sunshine and promise of first quarter opening scenes. The gathering clouds of the second stanza and the half times doubts. Followed by the early third quarter Bulldog consolidation lead by the valiant Bont. The elusive grail seemed as faraway as ever. With the grand final battle appearing to be slipping away. Until an evil dwarf decides giant tossing is OK. The demon king (Max) lays prostrate and appears hurt on the synthetic turf. As if thunderstruck, the demon knights rally, Sir Gus, Sir Luke, Sir Bayley, Sir Oliver and most mightily the Sir Christians. Charging the menacing horde with a barrage of leather and lethal will. The barricades break and the flag is ours. The closing scene the crowd burst into song, It truly is A Grand Old Flag.
Toto
Sep 28, 2021
Thanks for the year Titus , great result Melbourne . I guess the farriers will get paid this week!
Gavoda
Sep 28, 2021
Congrats to Titus, Melbourne Players Past & Present, Admin, Supporters et al, I look forward to reading next year's edition of the Monday Knee Jerk about the reigning premiers being Melbourne! Lets hope Freo can do the same in the near future! Love your work Titus
Colin
Sep 28, 2021
And as well as suggesting the Daniel award I should have said your writing and take on life is supreme and a delight week by week. thanks
Running Dog
Sep 28, 2021
"As I write this, I’m mindful of how quickly Richmond fans went from having all the goodwill in the world to being insufferable."
Sorry to be the bogan who spills VB all over the cheese platter but in the case of Melbourne this took about one New York minute. To all those morons who sarcastically gave me the woof woof when I was applauding Max Gawn's victory speech, I was, er, applauding a great captain on a well-deserved victory. And there were several other instances of boorishness.
However, I put this down to the fact that at least 85% of Melbourne supporters seemed to be Demons For A Day. I saw the Swans triumph in 2005- grown men wept. I saw Geelong triumph in 2007- strangers hugged. With the Bulldogs in 2016 tectonic plates shifted, and I still feel the joy and relief to this day. I saw nothing similar on Saturday. No raw emotion, no tears, no silent contemplation of what just happened. Just another day at the footy for a craypot full of beer-swilling oafs more interested in betting odds. (And there were also plenty of Dogs fans who could never find Footscray on a map).
This is NOT sour grapes. I'm thrilled that someone else can enjoy the feeling of a broken drought. To all TRUE Melbourne fans- heartfelt and sincere congratulations. Melbourne proved that the space/time continuum is curved, and if you go far enough you end up playing footy from the future. The Demons cleverly disguised this for nearly three quarters. In the end it was a manifestation of destiny, and all we could do was watch in awe.
Love your writing, Titus. Apparently Grange doesn't give you a headache, so we expect to see you back in pre-season training soon, ready to go for 2022. It's one-all now between the Dogs and the Dees. Best of three?
Jonno
Sep 28, 2021
Great write up Titus. You deserve all the happiness your tortured soul can soak up. Enjoy it!
Mike
Sep 28, 2021
Running Dog, you must have been a different game to me.
It was far from just another day at the footy. Yes there were plenty of Demons for a day - the location and the border controls meant that that was inevitable. But what I saw was a huge outpouring of goodwill and genuine delight at the Dees victory by a crowd that recognised the achievement and revelled in the way that Melbourne did it.
As an Eagles supporter I have no frame of reference for the long suffering of Dees fans, but I'm genuinely pleased for them and the team. It was a joy to behold.
Lindsay W
Sep 28, 2021
To Titus, I dips me lid.
To Melbourne FC, I dips it again.
Lion of Floreat
Sep 28, 2021
A brilliantly written piece about a moment that you waited your whole life for. It rekindles a very fond memory of when the Lions won in 2001 & I truly believed that all things in football, as well as life, are possible.
Titus, keep loving footy forever.
Rosemary Landy
Sep 28, 2021
Titus, beautifully written. The agony I felt at 10 minutes into the 3rd quarter was real. The joy I felt during the rest of the game was also real and not to be forgotten. Many thanks for your company during a long long journey! From Rosemary in Canberra ❤💙❤💙❤
John B
Sep 28, 2021
Titus you described the Turning point in the Game. The Gawn Daniels incident followed by the splitting of the defence by Harmes delivering a superb pass to Fritsch. From then on it was all team effort. Thanks for a great review from the ACT Demons
Tim M
Sep 28, 2021
Happy for the win and as a Tiger pretty much indifferent. Mostly chuffed for Benny Brown and confirmation that good things happen for good people. A premiership player - North didn't need any of those !
Mick
Sep 28, 2021
Titus as a coincidently 57yo dees supporter. It was the greatest day of my life, (considering i thought i might die during the earthquake and not see us win) the whole thing was perfectly summarised by your learned self with my highlight being the reference to Fritsch being a double threat, goal kicker and perfect hair. Brilliant. Just like the day.
Jacqui Parry
Sep 29, 2021
Titus, like Basil you forgot something really important- TMac’s goal after the siren to win the game!!
Ok, ok we had it won by the time our Tommy took the mark, and half the bench warmers were already on the ground. But it was a great display of steely determination by Macca to steady and kick that famous goal.
As a long time Player Sponsor of Big Max Gawn, even I was somewhat impressed by Caleb Daniel felling our skipper and slamming his noggin into the turf!! Though concerned by the risk of concussion I still wanted to know what Caleb said to Max as he stood over our big man. I am betting it wasn’t “Are you OK Max?”
Perhaps we will never know as Max probably was concussed, and even if he wasn’t he is very old school and what happens on the oval, stays on the oval.
So pleased for everyone at the club and now onward and forward to success for our women’s team!!
Go The Mighty Dees Give’em Hell!!
I bet you could hear the roar from Edenhope in the middle of Optus Oval. It’s a bloody wonder they didn’t think it was a thunderstorm and send everyone back into the sheds!!
Atrocious Conditions
Sep 29, 2021
Let me be the first to congratulate you and the Demons on a momentous win, Titus.
Jim Downey
Sep 29, 2021
well said ! Congrats Titus. I am a Pies supporter and being born in 1959 I have seen us in 14 grand finals for 12 losses or draws and 2 glorious wins !! On these two afternoons I felt exactly like you described you felt last Sat night. Glad the Dees hVe broken through....now....about the Saints...
I truly believe watching your team live in a Grand Final is utter torture. ...but..watching the replays over and over when you when is pure ecstacy. Its a Yin and Yang thing.
William Crothers
Sep 29, 2021
I loved your writing on the 2021 GF and as a fellow Demon Supporter my emmotions were stretched and teary.
I saw the '64 Grand Final with my since departed father and like many supporters of that era never imagined that it would be 57 years before I could see another premiership. It has been a tough road as you know and my 3 sons followed me in support of the Dees as paid up members. We used to treat ourselves to a jam doughnut after a match win as we walked back to the Richmond Station. Sometimes after so many losses I relented as football was meant to give some enjoyment to a father son relationship. My grandchildren are also paid up members and their parents did question my membership gift at their birth and ask if I wanted to put them through the agony of being a Demons supporter. Now we have ecstasy. They are like Jake Bowey and are treating the win as "thats what we do". A new feeling. So proud of our team . I love them even more. GO DEES.
Al
Sep 29, 2021
I like that Adam Tomlinson was strengthening his knee by carrying Max Gawn on his shoulders around a Perth nightclub. I think they’ll still be drunk come round 1 as I will be. I hope this is the longest, hottest summer ever so we can really soak in the game by watching on repeat. Go Dees!
WARNEY
Sep 29, 2021
You are free to tip Melbourne FOREVER, all curses and infamy have been reset to Zero. This was a season to compare with the very best of Geelong or Essendon or Hawthorn. We are BACK baby!
Only quibble was the lack of the 2nd verse of the song, it deserved an airing, because we did play like '26, with a supreme and devastating midfield that blew the opposition off the park in the 3rd term.
'The football season for 1926 closed on Saturday in a blaze of triumph for the Melbourne team, who won their first
premiership since 1900, by such a brilliant, forceful exhibition of the game as to leave no doubt that they were the
best team of the year.'
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51367925?
DC
Sep 29, 2021
If I had a time machine I’d first go back a couple years and put a bet on the Dees winning the 2021 GF in PERTH! Then I think I’d go about 20 years back and show you this article.
Don
Sep 30, 2021
Bloody insufferable.
Melbourne supporters have always treated the third of their four wins every season as like a Grand Final win. Red and Blue scarves everywhere with smirks rigidly attached. Talk about Born to Rule. Insufferable.
But this. Give me a break. Thankfully its now cricket season and it was in WA so we are spared the face to face stuff.
And please no more talkback. All so yesterday. Bring on 2022.
TGLG
Sep 30, 2021
A beautiful reflective recount of a brilliant staged event. Basil has now surpassed WA Tourism Minister gaff of presenting the 2019 Hopeman Cup.Thanks again Titus for your comedy ,especially during our Covid-19 plagued 2020 & 2021 seasons.
Curmudgeon1961
Oct 03, 2021
Dear Titus ~ your column and the Roar are the only 2 football media I can bear. Like many of the other columnists I am happy for you at the GF results and probably like others see this as just return for all the smiles you have given us not just this year but all the other seasons. You even help us manage to force a weaker smile Monday when you write about our team(s) losing a game they should have won.
Pete
Oct 04, 2021
Thank you Titus. I've emulated you in part by reading your article 20 times since the GF. I can't remember better footy writing.
SimonKia
Oct 05, 2021
I remember stumbling upon this site years ago. It was 2016 round 2 - where the 'biggest joke in the league' team had just lost to Essendon - a team with half it senior players out. The Dees hadn't won 2 game in a row for 5 years, and this loss cemented them as probably the worst team for decades, if not, the worst team since University. I was never quite sure if Titus was a brilliant comedy football writer, or just driven insane by Melbourne.
It is amazing that they have gone from rock bottom to top in 5 years. And not in way the 2018 dogs did, but in a way where they look like they will go deep in finals for years to come.
Congrats to Titus and all Dee's supporters. Enjoy it.
John
Oct 13, 2021
An excellent take on a fantastic grandfinal. I have been a Demon supporter since birth( during a Melbourne Carlton game with dad called to the secretary's office to go to the nearby hospital). I have seen them win 4 premierships the last in 64 but this was the best of all for all the reasons you describe. Well done Go Dees
Hartskeerl Gina
Oct 28, 2021
I have just read this now, I don’t know why I haven’t seen it earlier as it is a magnificent piece of writing & we can all relate all those feelings that you wrote about.
I was 14 years old & listened to the 64 Grand Final at my best friends house around the kitchen table on the radio. I attended the 2000 GF. Where we were thrashed by the Bully EFC. And here we are at a time where we could have witnessed the Best Grand Final of all time we were robbed of being able to be at our ground the MCG.
We now hold our heads high as a passionate Melbourne Supporter, a player sponsor for over 26 years, as we know that we are entering a new passage with our beloved club.
I have met you and had my photo taken with you at our last President’s lunch Titus.
Titus O'Really?
Nov 30, 2021
Congratulations. You managed to become as insufferable as most Richmond supporters within 3 paragraphs.