The year was 1994. The top movie was “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and the number one single from that year was by Wet Wet Wet called “love is all around” from the same movie.
I had just cut off my mullet and was looking like a mature young man. I was made captain of the Port Adelaide Football Club just before the first game of the season (which was tradition) succeeding the great Greg Phillips.
Sadly before the first round, my father in law (who was a volunteer at the club and ball steward - we never lost a footy on Darrel’s watch), passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.
The year privately became about honoring him.
So to my greatest moment on AAMI Stadium or, as it was known then, Football Park. The SANFL Grand Final of 1994.
I arrived at the ground feeling as nervous as I ever have before, having already appeared in five grand finals.
I’m nearly physically ill as I get out the car.
I’m captain, we’ve played the second semi against the Eagles and been defeated by 12 goals only to win the preliminary to have another crack at them.
The only thing stopping me from being sick is that I see one of the TV commentators that day, former Eagles and Norwood champ Neville Roberts coming through the car park. He asks how I am and I admit, “Nearly ill, thank you”.
“What are you worried about?” he says "You’ve got nothing to lose!"
I quickly replied, “You try going back to Alberton tonight and tell our people that!"
'Nothing to lose' is for losers!
The first 20 minutes of the game seemed like a dream sequence where you have no control and it’s out of control. We were quickly six goals down and not looking like scoring.
What I loved about my era was the players' unbelievable belief that we could win from any situation and Darryl Borlase encouraged that when he said to me in the forward line that we will beat these blokes.
It sparked at heated debate in that pocket between a few of us, ending with me promising to punch my opponent's head in.
Shortly after a boundary throw-in, my opponent lost the art of control and tried to violently attack me.
I unknowingly defended myself and caused a good, old fashioned Donny Brook.
Much to my delight I received a free kick and converted our first major!
The ball comes straight out again for a Scott Hodges one hander and his opponent still infused with rage from our altercation gives Scotty a 50-metre penalty.
Another goal.
We went into the break only four goals down and the battle ensued.
People tell my they watched the last quarter of the 94 grand final and loved it!
I always tell them the story is in the first three quarters. It was just bash and crash all day long to break a 'superior' opponent into submission.
That is what finals are all about - belief, courage and persistence.
I must add here that I firmly believe that coming home with momentum in the last quarter on the back of the Port Adelaide crowd's noise swung the AFL license pendulum our way with the decision makers in the crowd that day. It was amazing!
There are so many heroes of that game and that year, too many to mention, but I have a special moment from it for a guy that had missed out on so much. He had the courage to approach the coach about swapping from attack to defense so he could play in a flag - something that he had cruelly missed out on in the past.
To hug Mark Tylor after the miracle win was a special moment, as it was he who I was most happy for.
The victories that aren’t about yourself are the true moments of unselfishness that all players must learn. Those victories are the ones that have made this football club the greatest in Australia.
To see my massively large family that always partied like it was 1999 after a Port premiership was always a great delight and one of my proudest memories to share.
Darrel would have been proud.
