G’day all,
I did this road trip from Canberra with seven other mates, three of whom flew, the rest of us piling into two vehicles. The last time I did this road trip with two of these guys was back in 1996, Hawks vs. Melbourne, Dunstall kicked his 100th goal, Hawthorn won by a point, and the club fended off the merger thank the gods!
Saturday 6am.
We pile into DB’s car, and as he’s a fellow Hawk he has the club song cued up on the stereo. A couple of hours to Holbrook, Choulsie is close to tears as the song has played about 10 times.
After a quick brekky and driver swap, a fairly uneventful cruise down the 'superslab' and into the grand metropolis that is Melbourne. I’m getting nervous, as usual. I wonder if the players get this nervous?
We find a pub in Southbank, have a couple of beers, and saunter over to the Dome. I’m confident of a Hawks win, looking forward to Buddy kicking his ton, and also looking forward to Fev missing out and spitting the dummy.
Into our seats, snug under the close confines of the roof, taunting the two Carlton supporters in our group, ridiculing the lone 'Weagles' supporter, and encouraging the two Saints supporters, because we don’t really care about that game tomorrow. The excitement is building.
The Dome is absolutely packed, and rises as one each time Buddy gets near the ball. He doesn’t keep us waiting long before he kicks his second goal and the house goes mad! What a fantastic spectacle, the ground is invaded and its great to see that the security guys do not make an example out of anyone.
From there the game goes according to plan, the Hawks pile on the goals, and Fev slowly edges closer to his own ton. But I was happy to see our defence dominate Carlton’s forward line.
Towards the end of the game, with Fev on 99, even the Hawks fans are shouting “Kick it to Fev”, but he stopped leading, which allowed our guys to deny him his 100th.
At the final siren it was a great win for our boys, and singing the club song, I can relax and bask in the win.
Sunday.
I’m nursing a slight hangover this morning, but still grinning over a fantastic win. My voice is gone due to singing and shouting so much last night. I haven’t been to a live game for a year, but I think I might be popping back down to Melbourne in the next couple of weeks.
Off to the Dome again this arvo, to see St Kilda play Essendon, comfortable in the knowledge Hawthorn have finished the regular season in good form, just need to check the paper to check on the team’s health, hopefully there are no injuries.
Adam Begley - From the Outer
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the Hawthorn Football Club.
If you would like to be a From the Outer finals contributor write us a short email on which player you think will be most valuable in the finals to fromtheouter@hawthornfc.com.au
