Dog Day Afternoon

[Noel Mugavin]

Invitation came through mid March to attend a mate of mines Bucks Party. Good news, party to be held in Melbourne, day before the Grand Final.
Took about 3 seconds to make the decision to go, and immediately my thoughts turned to how to get a Grand final ticket as well. All indications were I would have to by a package which involved airfares and accommodation, and also the inflated profit margins included with that. Didn't want to do that, so thought I would try my luck as the year progressed with some connections of connections that may be able to help me.
On to booking flights and accommodation. Due to the Eagles and Dockers being contenders in 2015, flights from Perth around that time of year were not wallet friendly. Ended up paying just under $900 for a Qantas flight arriving in Melbourne Wednesday night, and departing early Monday morning.
Booked the Pensione Hotel on Spencer Street for about $180 a night. Had stayed there before, comfortable beds, convenient location, but very small bathrooms.
Early April, thought I should get an early start trying to source a ticket, so sent a message to a friend of mine who plays for one of the Perth based teams, asking if he had any ideas/contacts of where I could get one. Immediate reply, No dramas, I can get you tickets. Sweet.
Fast forward to September, I decided to give public transport a go to get to the airport. Cost $3.60, as opposed to the $50 I would pay for a taxi. I live a ten minute walk from the Joondalup line, so headed out and soon enough was on the train to Perth. Off the train at the Bus Port and at the rank for the bus to the airport.
Bus was scheduled for a bout a 15 minute wait, however another bus turned up, different number, but still saying Perth Airport Terminals 1 & 2. Jumped on, many at the rank didn't. Didn't give much thought on why they wouldn't take the earlier bus.
The bus moves quite slowly along St Georges Tce, and while along here message came through from Qantas informing of a 40 minute delay. No great dramas, as I don't mind sitting around airports.
On to the new Tonkin Highway Interchange, when it hit me, this bus was going to the International Terminal, opposite side of the airport from where I needed to be. Again, no dramas, would just jump on the inter terminal transfer, and I had plenty of time so wasn't at all worried.
Off the Transperth bus, and straight on to the transfer bus, which took off within about a minute of me getting on.
Ex Jetstar A330 I think, because of the Ipads. More knowledgeable people will be able to tell me otherwise, but very comfortable seats.
Skybus from the airport, quick walk to the hotel, nice touch a chocolate and hand written note in the room welcoming me to the hotel. Was about 11.00pm, so quick shower and then to bed.

 

[Major]

This is a bit different to your last TR

 

[puppysparkes]

All I saw was "bucks party" and thought this is gonna be epic. Bump!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Thursday and I was on the Upfield line out to the Western Oval to watch the Doggies train. Train was packed with a sea of red, white and blue. West Footscray station was packed as was the Whitten Oval



Sun was out, but was extremely cold, with a strong and icey wind blowing. Dogs had some set shots at the end of the session, not a great confidence booster before the game, would have been going at less than 20%.



Rest of the day spent wandering, baguette from little place across from Subway in Swanston Street. Less than $5, plus $1 water, best value in Melbourne, always find my way there for lunch when in Melbourne. Korean BBQ for dinner, early night in preparation for the big day tomorrow.

 

[love_the_life]

Are you being artistic or has something happened to the photos? :shock:

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Off my phone, not one artistic bone in my body.

 

[love_the_life]

I wondered if I was missing something terribly clever, like how the Doggies turned the finals on its head or similar.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I wondered if I was missing something terribly clever, like how the Doggies turned the finals on its head or similar.

I like that. Guessing it's too late to alter the thread title.

 

[love_the_life]

I think the current thread title is plenty clever

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Friday morning and I had to pick up my tickets from AFL House. Tip for anyone with kids looking for autographs, AFL player's tickets have to be picked up between 10 and 12 on the Friday. Having said that, as my tickets were from an Eagles player, my friends name was towards the back of the paperwork, and the fella I was getting them off had to flip through every teams list. From a quick glance I would think less than 30% of players take up the offer, and most of them would probably be for friends and family. Tex Walker was picking tickets up when I was, and thew next day the only players I saw in my vicinity were Sharrod Wellingham and Jonathon Patton.

On the way back to the hotel, picked up a shirt and some jeans from the shops above the train station. Needed the long sleeve shirt for 2 reasons - 1. theme of the bucks party was wear your old woolly football jumper. My woolly jumpers were from a time when I was a little less portly, so my jumper wasn't woolly, but was a final season Fitzroy number. Also short sleeves, so needed the shirt for warmth purposes. 2nd reason - I work outdoors in shorts and shirts, and have the subsequent tan, together with the tan lines. Just above the elbow and below think suave Mediterranean playboy, above the elbow think pasty white skinned Englishman, fresh off the boat.

Headed off to the bucks party, starting at midday at Fitzroy bowls club. Stopped at the Grand Final Parade first, few supportive comments re the Roys jumper. Didn't stay long, then headed to grab the Brunswick Street tram. Tram employee told me because of the parade they weren't running. Plan B, headed up Nicholson street. As I walked across to the bowls club across Brunswick Street had to stop and wait for a tram hurtling up Brunswick Street. Extra walk probably did me good.

Bucks party was pretty tame, drinks and laughs. Played it smart, as well as a beer, had a water in my hand all day as well. I very rarely drink and really didn't want to be under the weather the next day. Headed up to a pub late afternoon, things got a little hazy after this, UBERed to another pub and had something to eat. About 9.30 headed to he bar to switch on to the spirits. Fortunately for me, the server put his hand up and fooled around behind the bar, allowing me to have a quick re think and do my best Houdini act and head out the door. Very smart decision by myself to call it a night, fairly solid session, but did look after myself. Couple of trams and back at the hotel by about 10.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Feeling pretty good next morning, bite for breakfast and a laze around the hotel. Went down to the ground at about 12.30 and met up with a friend who is living/playing cricket in Melbourne. Sighted the buck from the night before at Flinders Station, didn't speak to him as he was with the fiancee and both looked like they were intent on a mission. Messaged him a little later, said he unbelievably was feeling quite good. Didn't ask what the rest of the crew got up to after I left.

Had fantastic seats, and after a slow build up, before you knew it the game was on on front of us. Looked like the Swans had taken control in the second, but thankfully for most of the crowd, the Bullies eventually came through. I;m not a demonstrative person, but I did get fully involved in this one. Plenty of high fives and hugs with bullies fans in the last quarter, and when Johanassen kicked that goal in the last, the whole crowd exploded. Then the let down for the score review. Then the high again when Boyd kicked the sealer.
Great day and something everyone needs to get to at least once in their lives.