Had a great time!
Went with my partner (Storm fan) and my 2 boys.
Several mates I know were going to the game also. (Various supporters but all on our side except my brother in law who is a lifelong Manly supporter).
We get to the stadium later than we had planned, but grab a drink and a delicious kransky outside before going inside.
I actually enjoy Ricky Martin....helps keep the nerves at bay.
My partner reaches for the binoculars as he comes out.
We are seated up high.
National anthem! Brilliant!
GAME TIME!!
The first 20 minutes doesn't go well for us.
Manly's GF experience vs Our youth.
I am worried. We seem nervous. You can tell Manly have been on this stage several times before.
Torfua scores
Relief Lyon misses the conversion.
0-4
We have a row of real yobbo Manly supporters behind us, who are constantly chanting a sloooow "MAAAAANLYYYYY", and then encouraging their 5 year old son to do the same....high pitched, obnoxious and rude.
In front of us are a young Manly family. The father is really annoying, crazy Manly wig on, jumping up often with a weird dance and screaming out all sorts of quotes such as "the worst GF refereeing I have ever seen", blah blah blah.
Literally seconds before Maloney looks out of ideas and kicks the ball a second time in the same tackle, for Tupou to score our first try, he stands and screams "Where do ya go now eh?!" 7 seconds later Tupou touches down to a deafening roar! I have to wait for the crowd noise to quieten down a little, til I scream "That's where we go! TRRRRY Tupou!"
Up to this point I am quite concerned, Manly have been here before and are hitting hard in defence and look quite composed.
The second 20 minutes of the first half seem a lot better with the lads warming to their task.
I am tense at half time, thinking let's just get on with it. 18 minute half time. Too long.
Second half starts like the first half....Manly blitz us and get away early.
I feel DCE is going to explode and sure enough he does. Its a great kick by him to Lyon.
I don't think a penalty try should be awarded. Far too much doubt. It should be a Manly penalty with Aubo in the bin. The Try is awarded. The easy conversion from directly in front adds salt to the wound. (In hindsight I'm glad they got it....and yet some of them still whinge about the refs).
8-14 down.
I am not good at this point.
Manly score again 8-18.
I admit I think we are gone. "Too much experience these Manly blokes have got" I think.
My best mate (old Bears fan who despises Manly) is sitting same row, about 20 seats away.
Our looks to each other through the game are indicative of the match.
Chooks starting to turn things around.
Guerra scores. 14-18.
Feel relief but still knew "if they score next we are done for".
By this stage the "MAAAAAAANLY" chant coming from the yobos and the 5 year old quietens down somewhat.
The bloke in front of us is a little quieter but still animated and is told by his wife to put his flag down.
Nek minute....SBW charges through! The crowd rises as one!!
It feels like the 2010 semi vs Wests in extra time, that I went to with my late father.
Maloney! Charges downtown.... I'm thinking "Look right FFS!! Look right!!" He does and finds the Captain!
"Was that forward?" I think to myself....a quick glance to the touchies indicated the pass must be good. "Go Mini!" Great pass to SKD! "Go Skiddy!" TRRRYYYYYY! It IS like 2010 with SKD scoring the run away match winner again!!
I don't celebrate too early in case the ref calls it back, so my screaming was somewhat reserved at this moment.
"Blow the whistle ref" I'm thinking! He does! It's 18 ALL!
Oh yeah. I hug my partner and my children and am delirious.
I settle....Maloney has to kick this! ..... He does! YEEEEEEESSSSS!! We lead 20-18!!
7 minutes to go and a group of teenagers sitting next to us get up and leave! Leave a GF at this point?! I think they are Tigers supporters who have been cheering for the Roosters. I am shocked! "You leaving??" I blurt out in utter surprise. They just smile and continue walking. I then signal my best mate to come over to the vacant seats next to us. His face will live in my memory forever. He had a HUUUGE smile on his face as quickly excuses himself past other patrons.
He makes it over to us and screams "How good is this!"
We are all very happy at this point, but know there is a long way to go.
Fast forward to Jennings. Even way up high, my first instinct is, that's a TRY!! He's grounded it!
When the KFC Zinger pie (looks dreadful) reveals TRY, I (and you reading this) go off!
What a comeback!!
Just need BBQ to convert and we should be ok.
Maloney nails it!
26-18!!
Gee the last few minutes go slowly.
Great final tackle in the corner by the boys at 79:40. Celebration time!!
Then 5,4,3,2,1 SIREN!! Now it is Official Celebration Time!!
It's over!
We've won! We've won it!
How good is this!
I kiss my partner and kids and hug my best mate!
The Manly fan in front of us, to his credit, turns around and shakes my hand (just as I did in 2010 to the Dragons guy sitting in front of me and my best mate. Maybe Karma?)
We make our way downstairs and celebrate with other Roosters supporters!
Make it downstairs in time to see Mini make his speech and lift the trophy!
Watch the lap of honour, clapping and cheering, and then SBW bringing up the rear.
12 months earlier I was standing in the same spot with my partner celebrating her GF win. Now she is returning the favour.
Awesome season, awesome GF, great day. Manly were great competitors.
Listened to the aftermath on the radio in the car. Couldn't get enough. On reflecting, as Maloney said in his interview "We deserved it." Best team all year, held 6 opposition teams scoreless, were Minor Premiers, and finally beat our GF opponents 4 times in the same season. It's good to see the best team all year win the comp. It doesn't always happen.
We are very worthy champions!!
A great day. Will live with me til I die!
