Since its last AFL game, the Whitten Oval’s crowd capacity has been reduced to about 10,000. Next Sunday at 1pm, we host local rivals Williamstown in an historic VFL final at the oval.
It so nearly didn’t happen. I sat with Mark Hunter (Lachie’s dad) at Punt Road Oval as Sunday’s VFL game got under way. The first half was frustrating footy, made worse by the sight of Liam Jones, Jack Redpath and Clay Smith watching on. Will Minson found himself battling a rampaging Sean Hampson.
Early in the third, I had to leave. Mark offered to send me texts of the scores. Here they are: MH: “25 min, 14p down;” Me: “thx … can you get Lachie to snap a quick four?” MH: “3/4 time 20p down;” “32p down;”. Me: “Ohh” MH: “Back to 19p at the 17min mark;” Me: “We definitely lose home final if we lose.” MH: “14p at 20 min mark;” “8p;” “2p,” “24min mark,” “1p,” “Level,” “About to lead,” “1p up,” “2p up,” “Richmond shot for goal,” “No score” “1p up 30 min,” “Richmond goal;” “Fletcher shot to win AFTER siren;” “GOAL!!!!!” “We won.” “Won”
Fletcher Roberts had nailed the result with a 60-metre bomb after the siren.
The club has agreed to meet about $50,000 in costs to host Sunday’s final. We’re going to sell reserve seats to make ends meet. We’re hoping to make the stands rock to the chant of ‘FOOTSCRAY’ like the old days.
Get there early. You know what Charlie Sutton would say: “Shop early; avoid the rush!”
