The Grand Final parade-is it worth it?

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Hi kids,
JF here again.

My work has left me in a very very sticky situation if we were to make the GF.

Basically they have said that I CANNOT take the Friday off, hence I would have to chuck a sicky to take in the grand final parade. Considering they know how passionate I am, they'll know I'll be in Melbourne for sure, especially if they see a giant chequered flag being waved amongst the crowd.

Even if I get a dodgy doctor's certificate from the quacks at Marrickville Metro Medical Centre, I'll be taking a huge risk with my job. And an even worse one if I'm seen at the parade on the TV.

Hey, I'd do everything to get there, but seriously is the Grand Final parade really all its cracked up to be?

Is it seriously worth jeopardising my job for?

A nervous (but resourceful) Julian "It is I-La Claire" Farrell

PS:- Maybe I can get some sort of disguise going? But it would look realy geeky walking down Swanston St in a balaclava.

[CureTheSane]

You've already asked for the day off, and they've said no.

For the GF parade, I would work.

Depends how much you like your job really.

The parade is OK.

Something you would remember IF we won the flag.

I went to the 96 parade, and took a few snaps.

Less a parade than a drive by really.

The cars travel a fair distance, and actually go quite fast.

Then there's the bit up the stairs where each captian hold up the cup etc, and a few short speaches.

I'll go again this year, but I am a man of lesuire.

[liz]

Its good to go to if you're in town, more to soak up the atmosphere than anything else. But wouldn't have thought it's worth risking your job over.

[Diego]

I have a week off...and it happens to fall right on GF week. So if the swans make it I am going to be shacked up in a mates pad in Fitzroy for the week soaking in the vibe of GF week.

I doubt i'll get a GF ticket but where would be the best place to watch the match if we do make it?

I went to Sth Melb recently and it doesnt seem to be any interest in the bloods except for a pub down the road from the lake oval that was replaying the Swans v Bulldogs match and had a few stickers here and there.

[Bron]

Jules,
I'm looking forward to the parade, but I reckon you'd be so obvious if you went that you'd lose your job. Probably not worth it. BTW, how are you getting to Melbourne, from past experience, all Syd/Melb flights will be booked by now.
I remember a previous GF where we missed the flight by moments (around 3pm) due to unexpectedly bad traffic and a bad decision to go to the Qantas Club desk rather than the check in desk. It took hours to get a stand by seat and then only by some serious persuasion.
Bron

[swansrock4eva]

Jules if they've said no, you would get the sack if you got seen and as bron said, you're kinda obvious on the tele! I wouldn't risk it at all.

Besides at this stage looks like I will be there (thinking of leaving the Thursday night abt 8pm from here) so I can take piccies for you and tell you all about it. Not as good as the real thing but could do the job.

Btw, can you get us some cheap rates for a motel in Melb at all or do you expect them to be all booked out by GF week? And if anyone else has accommodation ideas, please let me know!

[j s]

Don't risk it Jules! The parade isn't that special. Save it for the aftermatch parade!!

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
And if anyone else has accommodation ideas, please let me know!

For those driving down an option is to stay somewhere north along the Hume. Two advantages....

1) Doesn't book out quite so early.
2) A bit less driving to/from Sydney

...then drive the last bit on Sat morning and back to the Motel on Sat night

I've done that a few times now.

[anniswan]

I went to the parade the last time Carlton were in the GF, it's hard to see much, very crowded,

Julian, I wouldn't risk my job for it, afterall how are you going to finance next years travels

[robbieando]

I'll go if we make it because I have nothing better to do. I didn't go in 1996 but I don't feel that I missed anything special. Its not worth risking your job over and frankly the game itself is far more important.

[CureTheSane]

Generally you either get a great spot and a good view of the cars travelling past, or you sacrafice that for a good view of the teams lined up on the podium at the end.

To see both well is near impossible.

The best views are inside the buildings looking over the balconies....

[Cher]

Originally posted by Diego
I I doubt i'll get a GF ticket but where would be the best place to watch the match if we do make it?

I went to Sth Melb recently and it doesnt seem to be any interest in the bloods except for a pub down the road from the lake oval that was replaying the Swans v Bulldogs match and had a few stickers here and there.

Best place to go to watch the footy in South Melb is Bell's Hotel cnr Moray and Coventry street, we've had a few after match functions there this year and they play all Swans games on the Big Screen.

Every pub in Melbourne, and most of Victoria will have the game on tv.

In 1996, the club had the Glasshouse across from the MCG booked for supporters who couldn't get tickets to watch the game from and the players visited there for a short while after the game.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Bron
Jules,
I'm looking forward to the parade, but I reckon you'd be so obvious if you went that you'd lose your job. Probably not worth it. BTW, how are you getting to Melbourne, from past experience, all Syd/Melb flights will be booked by now.
Bron

Not at all. I should have booked earlier in the week when $95 fares were still available on Virgin. I paid $149 to come back on the Sunday night, and will look and how and when I can get down on the Friday/Saturday.

I don't feel happy that I'll have to miss the parade, but as you said I'd be worried about getting on TV, so wouldn't be my normal self anyway.

Thanks for the advise guys. I actually felt I needed a second opinion on this, as I want to give the game more respect than I did in 1996 where I flew down at 10pm after graduating from uni next to a guy who had been travelling in South America for 3 months -I love travel as much as I love football.

JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
Btw, can you get us some cheap rates for a motel in Melb at all or do you expect them to be all booked out by GF week? And if anyone else has accommodation ideas, please let me know!

We as you offered, I'd gladly take reservations for as cheap as I can for any RWOer going down.

I can still offer you $99 for the Best Western Easystay St Kilda Beach, with good rates at other properties as well. But yes, most of Melbourne will be booked out.

I have offers to stay with several people. But am waiting on Robbie Ando's offer to book a hotel for Friday and Saturday night so as to cut out the commuting on the big day.

The big thing is, (assuming we get there) if we lose, I do not want to be alone for one minute. Crying tears of dispair is one thing. But being laughed/scoffed by people ignorant to my passion for my team at a very very raw time is 10 times worse again. And somewhat foolhardy on their part.

JF

PS:- Just a tip. Do NOT party much on the Friday night before the big-game. Grand Final Day is as emotion-sapping as they get anyway-win or lose. And a good sleep the night before can help you get through it all.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

That's 131779!

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
We as you offered, I'd gladly take reservations for as cheap as I can for any RWOer going down.

I can still offer you $99 for the Best Western Easystay St Kilda Beach, with good rates at other properties as well. But yes, most of Melbourne will be booked out.

Check out our website as <http://www.bestwestern.com.au>.

JF (cutting a fine line between providing a service to our fans and lifting my crap sales percentage targets )

[Dave]

Originally posted by j s
Don't risk it Jules! The parade isn't that special. Save it for the aftermatch parade!!

That's what I reckon. If we get in the GF and win it I will be taking a day off to celebrate the lad's triumphant return!