Let’s play it again, boys
AFL Hall of Fame member Doug Wade got into the zone before the 1963 grand final with tunes from a button accordion ringing through the Cats’ rooms.
On Thursday, he recalled how the tunes, from an instrument he still plays more than 50 years later, put him at ease.
And it is with this mindset that he has urged the 2020 Cats to approach their preparation for the grand final.
Wade, who booted 1057 goals across his glittering career and was part of Geelong’s last grand final appearance against Richmond in 1967, said the key to claiming footy’s ultimate prize was a fast start.
Asked his advice for the Cats on Saturday, he said, “Play the way they’ve played the last two weeks. Keep the ball moving forward at all times, instead of going backwards and sideways. We’ve got the team (to win it).”
The two-time premiershipwinning player, revealed he would speak personally with some Cats players before they went into battle on Saturday.
Wade said the players, coaches and staff living together in the hub had galvanised the team.
“The hubs have been brilliant for the clubs, for the coaches, for the players,” he said.
“They’ve lived together and worked together and it’s been good.
“They’ve always been a close-knit team but this has seemed to bring them closer.”
Wade united with premiership-winning former Geelong captain Cameron Ling, current Cats player Gryan Miers’ mum Kerry Miers and Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe to show support for the Cats.
Ms Miers said she was confident her son could perform on footy’s biggest stage.
“He’s not really a nervous guy; he’s pretty cool, calm and collected,” she said.
“He’s done very well to get to where he is but I think he has got a lot in him.”
The last time Gryan played in a grand final, in the 2017 TAC Cup, he booted seven goals in a matchwinning performance.
Ling said the game shaped to offer enticing storylines.
“One of the greatest players ever, (Gary Ablett Jr) is playing his last game of AFL footy. He could go out with a premiership,” he said.
“Dusty Martin could cement himself as the greatest finals player ever. Patty Dangerfield might win his first flag. Joel Selwood might become the first four-time premiership Cat.
“I am excited, there is a bit of buzz around town. It feels like the two best teams for the year.
“Geelong will have learnt from the last time they played (Richmond).”