Historic grand final trip for Peter
A global pandemic, two interstate air fares and 14 days quarantining in Darwin did not deter Warragul’s Peter Dell from attending his 69th consecutive
AFL grand final on Saturday.
Peter began his grand final journey at the age of eight with his father. Since then he has attended 69 over 67 years including two draws. Peter Dell (left) soaks up the atmosphere of the first AFL grand final outside of Victoria and at night at Brisbane’s GABBA on Saturday night. A Collingwood supporter, he was on neutral territory among Cats and Tigers fans.
by Carolyn Turner A global pandemic, two interstate air fares and 14 days quarantining in Darwin did not deter Peter Dell from attending his 69th consecutive AFL grand final on Saturday.
For Peter, of Warragul, it was a journey worth the inconvenience as he heads towards 70 grand final attendances which he is hoping will be at the MCG in September next year.
Peter began his grand final journey at the age of eight with his father. Since then he has attended 69 over 67 years including two draws.
A passionate Collingwood supporter, both draws were his beloved Pies – the first in 1977 when Collingwood lost to North Melbourne after a draw and then in 2010 when Collingwood defeated St Kilda after a draw.
This year Peter was tossing over the inconvenience of getting to Brisbane for the big dance. The Pies were still in the picture. He watched them go down to Geelong by 68 points on October 10 while quarantining in Darwin.
Peter’s journey to Brisbane began at Tullamarine Airport on October 2. A direct flight took him to Darwin and 14 days at the Howard Springs quarantine centre.
Along with 3500 people, he found the facility comfortable and the weather kinder than what he left behind in Warragul.
He arrived in Brisbane at 1am on Saturday October 17. Peter was lucky to get a ticket, they sold out within 20 minutes.
The attendance of 29,707 was a long way short of what Peter is accustomed to at the
MCG where nearly 100,000 people pack into the stands.
He said it was much more intimate. He was required to wear a mask until he was seated.
In many ways the journey to this year’s final was more comfortable than previous efforts. Peter slept in his car in Morwell for days on end just to secure a seat at the direct selling outlet.
But he is keen to return to his normal process next year.
And who did he barrack for? Peter said he was there for the
experience. “Richmond has had a few lately and I can’t stand Chris Scott (Geelong’s coach) so who knows.”
After the match he conceded that the Tigers were “very, very good.”
Like every Collingwood supporter he brought the conversation back to the black and white.
“Over 69 years I’ve seen Collingwood win three, draw two and lose 14. Not a bad record.
“I’m not sure if I’ll live to see the next one.”