Universal Love Remembering the 04 Grand Final

[Interstater]

My brother got tickets from a Brisbane sponsor a couple of days before the game.

Drove over the day prior, stayed in Ballarat (I think).
Surrounded by Brisbane supporters all day lol.

Its funny, I remember more of the aftermatch on Richmond Oval? than the game itself.
Remember leaving the MCG and walking to Richmond Oval, and remember not necessarily feeling happy, because you know, I've seen a lot of premierships, but feeling relieved that the first AFL one was under the belt.

Couldn't wait for 2005 to repeat it.

Watched 2007 at my brothers place, don't remember much of that game also.

Is it just me that is getting a not too subtle message from those 2004 videos.

Tredders and Josh Carr

Josh Carr

Age

44

Ht

179cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.8

4star

K

10.6

4star

HB

7.2

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.3

5star

CL

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.8

3star

in the front row.
Kane not far away.
Cup on the left.

Noone that wasn't involved at that time in the room.
The dogwhistle is strong, new guard coming in.
Cannot wait.

 

[gbear]

I had great seats at the 2007 grand final.

Thankfully I was unable to attend due to finishing off my last clinical placement to complete my degree, so was relieved I could switch it off at half time and just get hammered!

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Thankfully I was unable to attend due to finishing off my last clinical placement to complete my degree, so was relieved I could switch it off at half time and just get hammered!

Port did the same thing!

 

[ExpectToWin]

Gav's second goal at the end of the third to put us 3 in front. Till this day I can't watch it without tearing up. Even typing this out thinking about it got me.

I loved Tim Lane's commentary of that moment.

 

[El_Scorcho]

I was 18 years old, I sat in the back half of a bay behind the goals with my sister who was 14, behind the end we were kicking to in the first quarter.

My most vivid memories are Carr kicking the first goal, Hardwick drawing the high contact from Akermanis to turn over a certain goal, and Alistair Lynch missing a lot of haymakers. I remember talking to the man next to me at 3/4 time and talking about how we just needed the first goal of the 4th and we'd be home, and I remember hugging just about every supporter around me when the siren finally went.

I remember going to the Oxford Scholar after the game in what was a joyous atmosphere with a highlight being a very happy Port supporter going through all the expert predictions in the paper one by one and yelling out "You were wrong!" to all that picked Brisbane.

 

[Andre]

Thankfully I was unable to attend due to finishing off my last clinical placement to complete my degree, so was relieved I could switch it off at half time and just get hammered!

I notice a lot of your Port stories involve drinking

 

[gbear]

I notice a lot of your Port stories involve drinking

These days, yes. I am currently having my first glass of wine in almost 4 weeks, as both my jobs have been a shit show this week!

 

[Andre]

I really hope I get to experience a premiership with my daughters in the near future.

This is what makes me the angriest, at first the SANFL, then Koch, Ken and co. My eldest was born 2005, youngest 2007. They firstly got dragged along to our debacle years at Football Park 2008-2012 (as we moved back to Adelaide January 2008). Then the tease of 2013 and 2014, before a decade of meh. Neither took to being fans, despite my best efforts (heck, eldest had a tiny Port bear, larger than his starting 928g, in his crib at hospital, as soon as he was allowed), which in large part I put down to first external, then internally inflicted wounds, making it hard to even sell hope to them, let alone actual success.

 

[Ljc_86]

Just turned 18 and got the call from dad the two nights before that he had got me a ticket. Skipped my high school graduation to go.

Flew into Melbourne and it was one of my earliest trips to Melbourne it felt really special and seeing how AFL oriented the city was blew me away (grew up in Sydney)

Went out with dad and his work friends where I had my first beer (of many)

legit one of the best days of my life spent with dad from wake up to bed time.

I was confident all morning and one of dads mates gave me $150 for telling him we’d win (he put some coin on us)

Feels like yesterday but also feels like a million years ago.

I need more!!!!

 

[Portwon]

Was living in Brisbane.

Watching at home with Brisbane supporters but knew our best would win it.

Rather happy in the last quarter and not sure who convinced my to declothe and run down the street.

Interestingly youngest son born nine months later.....lives it when I tell that story.

I really want my son's to feel that joy..... That connection, that the world is yours.

Get those onions away from me....

 

[True__Believer]

Was in the standing only area across from the Great Southern Stand. Favourite memory is that tap on the boundary line by Mahoney to keep the ball in on the half back flank which we transitioned to the other side to score (I think Toby kicked it). I felt that moment killed the momentum they were trying to build. Byron had a great game but still feel Peter should have got the Norm, he was pivotal especially in the first half with the game on the line.

 

[Shaucob_Burjan]

I know they're mates with Chad but this is enough for me to justify Jordon Sweet being in our 22 for the rest of the year

 

[Papa G]

Hardwicks first quarter was immense. Set the tone. Got under the absolutely hardened Brisbabe players skin. Did fcuk all for the rest of the match but his first quarter was vitally important.

It was such a good grand final and criminally under rated, maybe due to the final score. It had everything. There hasn't been a GF since with biff like it.

Oh and Sam Newman's disinterested, derogatory, petulant "commentary" was one of the most childish displays you'll ever hear.

 

[Lefti93]

I loved Tim Lane's commentary of that moment.

Yeah same. He has some classic calls from that game that'll live with me forever. The prelim the week before too. In general he was a pretty good caller in those days.

 

[MrMeaner]

I assume ChadBro gave himself the nickname, 'Strong'

 

[Interstater]

Hardwicks first quarter was immense. Set the tone. Got under the absolutely hardened Brisbabe players skin. Did fcuk all for the rest of the match but his first quarter was vitally important.

It was such a good grand final and criminally under rated, maybe due to the final score. It had everything. There hasn't been a GF since with biff like it.

Oh and Sam Newman's disinterested, derogatory, petulant "commentary" was one of the most childish displays you'll ever hear.

Funnily enough I've had the DVD since then and never watched it.
My only perception of the game is from being there and what we have seen this week.

I want to watch it, but I don't.

 

[Shane_Mag]

I was only 16 years old. But the sheer relief and joy finally winning a grand final was amazing. Whenever that next premiership is(hopefully im not old and wrinkly) it will mean so much more considering all the lows we have had since then.

 

[Papa G]

Funnily enough I've had the DVD since then and never watched it.
My only perception of the game is from being there and what we have seen this week.

I want to watch it, but I don't.

I was at the game too. Half forward flank old Olympic stand side. I used to watch the DVD quite often, generally on the second bottle of Red when kids and wife had gone to bed. Always skipped the second quarter. You can do it on Ch 10 commentary, 3aw and Triple M. Newman's performance is disgraceful. Couldn't handle the fact no Vic side is in it. His fellow commentators, Dunstall in particular keep calling him out for being a complete fcukhead.

The actual turning point in the game is in the 3rd quarter when Aker tries a baulking move at CHF on Cassisi i think, completely duffs it, turns it over and from that point it's all Port.

I don't have a DVD player any more so haven't watched it in ages.

 

[Chewy316]

This is an absolutely brilliant thread, thanks for creating it and all for sharing to date!

I was 12, went to the game with my parents. We actually bought flights for the 2003 Grand Final at the half way point of that season thinking it would be our year, which ended with a whimper. So was glad to finally get to go and actually enjoy our Club being part of the big spectacle of Grand Final week.

The Grand Final Parade was still a major talking point, and even though it was an all interstate Grand Final, plenty of hotels and bars etc had both Port and Brisbane colours packed to their rafters.

Our tickets for the game were average given we had what at the time were "Anchor seats" and thus should have had a prime seat on level 2 or 3 of the ground - but instead we had the back row of the lowest level behind the goals with the Port cheer squad.

I expected to win. But I expected to win every game during that era. The only time I ever truly had doubt about that team was the final quarter of the Prelim a week prior - I didn't think they were going to get it done and was "losing it" up in the "new" Northern Grandstand at Footy Park.

My favourite memories of the game were undoubtedly all of Byron's runs with multiple bounces - particularly that one in the final quarter (pity Warren missed the set shot resulting from it). Being with the cheer squad made for a great atmosphere. Gav's 2nd goal in the 3rd quarter to put us 3 goals up was imo the clincher. The tide had turned, Port had all the running, were consolidating their momentum with scoreboard pressure and that goal was a true back breaker for a Brisbane side who were desperate to hold on at that point until 3/4 time.

After the game I don't remember how exactly we got there but we ended up at Punt Road and listened to Jimmy Barnes and Joe Camilleri entertain the night away. I still remember when the team was introduced later that evening at Punt Road. The interviewer asked a very much inebriated Byron Pickett

Byron Pickett

Age

47

Ht

179cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.6

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.8

4star

No current season stats available

D

12.2

3star

K

8.6

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

0.6

3star

"is tonight going to get ugly?" His response: "Na mate, I'm too good lookin'!"

That day my mum took photos of me at the start of the match and then after every quarter. She included them in a picture book she made for my 21st birthday (a version of "This is your Life.")

I look back at that day as one I was not nearly old enough to fully take in and appreciate, especially given what we have experienced as Club in the 20 years since. But I can certainly look back at the day now as one filled with fond memories which can never be taken away from me.

My kids are 2 and 5 months old - I hope I get to experience such a special day with them in the future.

 

[PowerLil]

Mr PL, myself and 3 kids (13, 10,9) drove over for the parade which was amazing. Sat in the cheersquad. Remember almost being in tears at quarter time because we scored and were playing well.
Got myself on telly making a crying gesture about the 13 minute mark of 2nd term when Aker was whinging about not getting a free lol.
Loved every second before, during and after the game. Ran into so many people we knew from footy over the years. Hugged everyone we knew and everyone we didn't.
That day and the 1977 grand final (first one I was at) were two of the best days of my life.

 

[Papa G]

That day and the 1977 grand final (first one I was at) were two of the best days of my life.

Hope 3 kids aren't reading this. Lol.

 

[Ljc_86]

I wish I did more to enjoy, take it all in.

I’ve more than doubled in age since it’s happened

 

[RossFC]

 

[Interstater]

As someone who sat inside the fence in 1976, I remember 77, but for some reason I better remember the wet one against South, sat in the Southern stand and think I got soaked but didn't care.

Was fortunate to be at 2004, fortunate not to be at 2007, will be living in Victoria by this Christmas, I have to buy a membership for a Vic club that will guarantee me GF tickets when we hose away the crap and play like 2004 again.

After making this post at the start of the week, the photo above makes me want to check Sisyphus for a pulse.
Please don't be dead Sisyphus.

Let's talk Ports! Part 3

It was the opposite in '07. From memory they tossed a coin during the week to determine the 'home' team. No idea if this is still the case. Since 2016 it's been the higher ranked team is the "home" team in the grand final. It changed mid-finals because the previous rule was the winner of PF1...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Peninsula Boy]

Lucky enough to be at the game.

I was sitting behind the eyeline of when Tredders slotted that goal in the first quarter and when he kicked I thought, we are on.

One of the best parts of this premiership is hearing all of the Brisbane Lions players crying over the loss. They all have real trauma based on our win. It's great.

One of the best days ever.