Eating & Drinking your way around the MCG on Grand Final Weekend

By Jeff Richardson

Tonight, pre Grand Final, is a traditional get together with old friends, mostly, but not exclusively, male, gathering in Melbourne from all over. Steak and red wine is the idea, and favourite bottles are produced. We always met at Vlado's, but since Vlado went licensed we've moved to the Charcoal Grill on the Hill in Kew. Kick on at Meyer's Place. I go from there to Crown, on air from 7AM with the Coodabeens. The crew at Crown bring us Bacon & Eggs on trays into the temporary studio at the Nth Melbourne Breakfast. At 10 we make a cab dash to the MCG, where we continue the show from 3AW's outside broadcast setup outside the ground in Yarra Park. Alfie, from Alfie's Food Van (NOT a chain!) looks after us with coffee. We're off-air at 12, and the game doesn't start 'til nearly 3, so it's over to the London Tavern for a counter lunch in the beer garden. Sadly, the publican Rod Northey died suddenly just a few weeks ago, so it'll be a time to remember him.

Another traditional gathering completes the cycle . . . Grand Final night is a reunion of old friends upstairs at PA's in Carlton.