Ripper Thread!!
Like most the month of September 2017 was a nirvana that Leysy will never reach in his lifetime again.
From the unplanned booing of Geelong when they ran out, to the doubts in all Tigers from previous finals failures at half time, then dialling the pressure up in the second half to start one of the greatest era’s in football history.
The Pre-Final is easily the second most enjoyable/emotional game Leysy has been experienced. It was a scorching day, twilight start so Richmond was absolutely heaving pre game. Remember being in the London and the atmosphere was electric.
Recent Ex-players like Newman, Sugar Johnson, Ray Hall, Chaplin etc all there to see if we do what they were unfortunately unable to. Met Spook for the first time from memory as well. Just told Leysy to look for the tall fella!
At the game, the crowd, the noise. Wow. Also remember the emotion when it finally dawned Leysy wouldn’t be at a BBQ watching two other teams in the big one. It would be us there.
Then the hunt for a ticket….*smile* the nerves seeing if could land one. Had a few irons in the fire, then the call mid Sunday afternoon from a famous ex-poster here many know Missing33 that he had scored a spare and yelled down the phone, we're going to the Grand Final!! We’re in!! More tears welling up…. OK tears flowing.
Then the week, the nerves. How can you concentrate on work. The parade – Leysy took his 5 y.o daughter he was mad for the Tiges then and still is now. Just about the only child Leysy knows who will sit mesmerised for the duration of any game the Tiges are on, even then. No screens, paper, pens etc needed to occupy time. Just the game.
Anyway, the parade just heightened the tension even more seeing Chimp keep his hands on the Cup. The volume of people was incredible. Also remember going for a burger with Charli in Swan St after and sitting next to an Adelaide couple asking us about our chances and if we can be competitive. Just replied we will be mate…but being confident inside we’d be more than that.
Then game day…deliberately had just one beer for the day, wanted to remember it all and soak it in and not miss any of it. After Adelaide started sharply just wanted us to stay in the game, then sure enough we started turning the game around like we’ve done so many times since. During the second quarter when we knew we were right in the match was so nervous remember thinking this isn’t actually enjoyable at all. Too bloody shaky. Then the 3rd qtr onslaught when unthinkable was within touching distance.
Then the tears, the hugs after the siren of a never felt before sensation. Surreal. Stayed and watched the Killers, but got stuck in the race by security going to see some mates on the ground and had to stay one spot from the ground. Was right on the race where the players came up the tunnel. Leysy’s hoarse voice rasping out congrats as the players came past. Made for a great video ha!
Only regret missed Swan St, went to Uitgang bar on Bridge Rd to meet Missing and Co again (we knew owner so can get in) Ripper bar. All Tigers. Remember walking in – it was like an outer body experience as some sense of what had happened kicked in. Was like your legs were literally floating above the ground. Will never forget it.
Then the party!! Bloody hell! A million renditions of the song at Uitgang with everyone a new best mate. Then Swan St, got into Bar 9T4 doing shoey’s until booted from there at close, then rang a good friend who knew would still be out. At a house party in St Kilda they said, come along! Rock in…walk in here’s David Neitz, Andrew Leoncelli and other ex Dee players kicking on. What. A. Party! Pulled stumps at 7am…Time for home.
Out again at 10am, Uber back into Punt Rd Oval. Remember knowing we were going back to Uitgang to crack some good red after Punt Rd oval visit. Grabbed a bottle of 1999 Yalumba Shiraz worth any amount from wine rack on way out. Not sure what the driver thought when I rolled out of the house at that time carrying a bottle ha! Then when got to the oval, in my haze thought *smile* I wont be able to bring that into the ground so ran behind the Cricketers Arms and stashed it under an old bush in the car park bahaha!
Then post Punt road oval celebrations - weary head and all, searched for bottle, finally found tree, got it! Replay on at the Uitgang sipping hundreds, maybe thousands of $$$ worth of red all arvo, then end up on a dance floor in St Kilda until 3am – still in RFC jumper over a shirt ha!
Time for kebab and sleep. Remember getting a call to join some PRE royalty at the London on Monday, but even Leysy was cooked by then. Content on the couch.
What a time!
