Citrus Bob Utber and Kate Birrell at today’s lunch
CALM BEFORE THE COFFEE
I am in Melbourne and thought it would be great to go to the ‘G’ on the day before the Grand Final or should I say the morning.
It is 6.30am and I depart my lodgings, grab a coffee at my usual haunt because I think I would not get one near the ground. How wrong can you be! There was coffee everywhere – eat you heart out Tommy and Mick no tea.
A sports radio channel were embedded (hate that word) outside the Pullman and there were hundreds of supporters listening to King and Cornes rabble on. Caught up with Cornes the younger who I do enjoy as I did his dad. Graham is alive and well Kane told me.
Walked down to the ‘G’ because i thought there would be hundreds of fans embedded (there it is again) outside the members waiting for the scramble of seats at 8am on Saturday.
Surprise, surprise there were only a dozen adults and one baby, two tents.
What is going on? I envisaged hundreds of people camped out. Talking to them I found there was only one Geelong supporter and no Fitzroy Gorillas. “Why are you here I asked”? The answer, “we have come early to get good seats so that we could see and hear SNOOP DOGG!”.
The footy was secondary to them. The only dogs I like are Footscray.
Channel 10 had one lonely reporter waiting to go on-air and an entourage of three people. The delightful Cathering Murphy and the crew from ABC had seven people. Catherine and I have been friends for many years and it was good to feel tall when I gave her a hug. I refused an interview live to air because it was freezing. Yes Peter B and BSA I refused an interview as I needed to get back to the warmth of my room.
Jack Riewoldt said, “G’day,” as he usually does. One of the nice guys in footy. Busy carrying the cup around from interview to interview with no security in sight.
‘Murph’ was interviewing ‘Pods’ and it was great to catch up with him. James Podsiadly one of the great football stories of another player who was passed over by the recruiting gurus of football. What do those guys see in a player? Then again twelve clubs did not want the grandson either as he was not an accurate kick. Never mind that he runs 50 metres before he unloads. Maximum distance covered for his side nearly 110 metres. Such is football.
Back to my digs by 8am and the Maroons embedded are freezing. Wonderful place I stay at. We are all footy or cricket fans and we love talking sport no matter what our backgrounds are.
Have a snooze before the big event of the weekend, the Footy Almanac luncheon with the Geelong flyer John Harms in full flight with the guests tucked under his arm.
If only the world all played Aussie Rules!
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Bob Utber
At 84 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named ‘Chloe on Flinders’ and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
