For the second year in a row, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula residents will be forced to watch the AFL grand final in lockdown.
Last year we saw Richmond come from behind to defeat Geelong, but this year two new teams will face off in the season decider.
Melbourne, which last won a premiership in 1964, and the Western Bulldogs square off in Perth with the game starting at 7.15pm tomorrow.
While last year’s grand final had more local fans following both teams, Demons and Bulldogs supporters are still well represented.
Ocean Grover Helen Gaffney was just one-year-old and living in London when the Melbourne Demons last won a premiership.
“I was born in 1963 and they won in ’64,” she said.
“We came over here from England when I was three and my parents got attached to Aussie Rules football.”
Growing up in Glen Waverley, Helen chose the Dees to be different to her mum, dad and three brothers, who supported either Richmond or Collingwood.
“I loved going to the football and we would catch the bus to Waverley Park,” she said.
“When I was 15, I was allowed to get on the train [to the MCG], so I joined the cheer squad.
“It’s good if you go to the football by yourself – you know you’ve got a bunch of people waiting there to welcome you in, and my parents knew that I was safe,” she said.
“I used to go to training every Tuesday and Thursday night and make the run-throughs – they call them banners now.”
“I’ve met Ron Barrasi, Neale Danaher, Jim Stynes – I’ve met them all going to after parties and other events.”
Grovedale’s Angela Biviano waited 18 years to watch her beloved “Doggies” win the 2016 premiership.
“It was beyond loud,” she said.
“The stands were like… moving – it was awesome.”
The Western Bulldogs broke a 62-year premiership drought that day, so Angela empathises with Demons fans facing their own 57-year drought.
“I feel for them and if they were playing anybody else I would be barracking for them, but I’ve got to support my boys,” she said.
“I’m happy for us to spoil the party.”
