I was there too, as a primary school kid with my father. I remember it the other way around, with Barker taking the first grab and Teaser following up a few minutes later. Either way, Teaser's grab (which I still maintain was better than Barker's far more replayed effort) was THE seminal moment in my life as a Swans supporter - Grand finals and all the rest included.
I started life as a third generation Bloods fan but went through a few years of trying to be a Saints supporter, because every kid at my bayside primary school went for St Kilda and I was the lone Swan. Peer group pressure took its toll.
My father was smart and patient enough not to apply any overt pressure on me to revert - instead, he took me to a few token Saints games each year, but mostly still to Swans matches (which meant about 16 a year in those pre-move days) and was content to let heredity do its work.
So we were always going to be at that game, given it was "my" team against my dad's. We were on the half forward line, not far from where both marks occurred. When Teaser took his grab, I remember erupting and cheering hysterically ...... And then I recalled I was in a Saints jumper .......
It was at that precise instant that I gave up my soulless pretence of barracking for St Kilda. Even as a primary school kid, I knew enough to know from that burst of unbridled joy that my heart was red and white, whatever I might try to tell my mates in the schoolyard, or my old man. So I went back to being the only Swans follower at my school, became a lifelong fan of the most important bearded miracle worker to ever walk this earth, and to this day enjoy going to the football with my father - although now officially barracking for the same team.
A post script. Someone mentioned the Barry Mitchell game at Pie Park. That was 1986 and my father and I were there too. Given we were seven goals down a little before 3/4 time, I was beside myself when we won against all odds, and all sense of self preservation deserted me. Wearing a Swans scarf, I let my pleasure at the victory be known to all around me as I exited the ground. My poor father, a peaceful and restrained gentleman, had to physically intervene to protect me from being publicly lynched by a couple of violently embittered, snaggle-toothed Magpie lowlife. Another immortal memory ...And if anyone doubts me, read this account of the Pie fans' behaviour that day:
Mayhem at Victoria Park - collingwoodfc.com.au
Bookmarks