Three years is a mini-eternity. Three years ago, Scott Morrison was Prime Minister with no other known portfolio and “pandemic”, for all anyone knew, was the scientific name for Colliwobbles, writes Greg Baum | OPINION
Some MCC staffers found themselves scratching their heads this week as they began to bump in at the MCG for the first grand final week there since 2019.
Dustin Martin would win the Norm Smith medal, naturally, but next in the voting was Bachar Houli. He’s now retired, is fully absorbed by his family and hobbies and hasn’t seen a game live this year, but he is the official premiership cup ambassador and so has spent the week lugging it from venue to venue.
The Carbine Club lunch and the MCC lunch were two of dozens of events that form the rituals of the grand final prelude, all dusted off again this week.Traditionally, the Carbine Club guest of honour is the newly-crowned Brownlow medallist, barely slept. This year, Paddy Cripps looked particularly fresh after his extra night’s sleep, courtesy of the royal funeral. Asked what he would change about footy, he said: “Bring back third man up.” NB, AFL.
Suddenly, helicopters were droning overhead again; whoever thought we’d welcome those back? Suddenly, Mike Brady was everywhere again, and will be out there on Saturday; how much more business-as-usual can you get?One of the most poignant moments of the 2020 finale at the Gabba was when Brady was beamed in singing from an empty MCG. Now, if only at half-time he could play his anthem and the AFL would leave it at that.
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