The Terrace

Punter 1 behind the goals on The Terrace at KP (in reference to the umpires’ yellow strips): “Anyone who’s wearing yellow is a poofter!”

Collective punters on The Terrace: “Boo haa haa haa haa”

Yellow undies: not to be confused with an AFL umpire.

For those that took the trip to the cattery on Saturday, it really was a game of two halves. The first, a demolition that had us frothing at the mouth and licking our lips for more…well, froth. The second, a relatively tedious display of football where the Roos tried harder, supporters started to feel the chill and the Cats ultimately prevailed.

Each quarter in four words or less:

Q1: Travis Varcoe – on fire!

Q2: The floodgates have opened!

Q3: North are trying harder

Q4: I’m getting cold now

It really wasn’t a game to remember; however, I’m now beginning to question if we’re getting complacent with victories in the vicinity of 10 goals? I wouldn’t say no to one next week against the Doggies…

Your home away from home,

The Terrace

Recent news surrounding the poor stadium deals clubs receive remind us of how lucky we are to be the only Victorian club to enjoy a true home ground advantage. From a supporter’s point of view, this is a boon: whether it’s a patch of concrete on the terrace, a blue (or white) plastic seat in the Brownlow, a wooden set of slats in the Doug Wade (with a pylon obstructing your view),  a glass-enclosed view from the Popescu Room (aka ‘The fish tank’), the local and variable points of view of KP define who we are and how we see the game – or not if you happen to sit in the new Hickey stand during sunset.

In the mid 80′s I recall sneaking through a fence at the bottom of the Old Jack Jenning’s stand. Geelong was playing Richmond and Gaz was, as was his way with the Tigers, on fire. I pushed my way through the long coats to secure a great view in the ‘Jenning’s pocket’, just to watch the fast-twitch fibres of the great man carry him on an express lead toward me. As the ball arrived Gaz launched himself in the air and, instead of using two hands, he threw just one out. We watched the ball hit his fingertips and roll down his arm to his chest. The crowd erupted, in the manner that you’d expect when Gary performed that sort of act. In that split second I looked back and saw one old Jenning’s gentleman grab his mate by the head and kiss him on the cheek. I’ll never forget it!

As a precursor to this weekends game against the ‘roos at KP, check out the way the ground used to be…there seemed to be a lot of hill and plenty of squinting amongst spectators on the eastern wing. Some things never change…

Can you remember where you have stood (or sat) watching the great games that now make up your memory and infuse your stories? If so, let us know… Whichever view you have enjoyed watching the blue and white hoops will no doubt influence and reflect what you hold dearly. Wherever it may be and whoever it may be with, we salute you!

As an aside, now that the past-players’ stand has been swept away with tide of development, can we rightly call it the past-past-players’ stand?

Kindest Regards,

Your sentimental friends at The Terrace