Footy! AFL 2014

[blackcat20]

Yes, was a great night.

Unfortunately I had to leave early to catch my pre-arranged lift home.

Thanks to Cruiser for a great meal and a fun night. See you all soon!

pity it didn't get its own thread, had no idea

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well I never saw that coming - what a performance by the Hawks - that is as comprehensive a shalacking of quality opposition in a GF as we have ever witnessed. Simply too good all day.

Now to the important stuff - the AFF post match get together - I just hope those that attended had as enjoyable time as I did. I think the choice of both venues proved just perfect for the gathering.

The Amberoom at The Royce Hotel is just a quality bar - and so close to inner city. Hey how quiet was it there for an inner Melb Hotel 1hr post game time? That was probably the best feature - no trouble in getting seats or service and not being crowded and buffeted by the great unwashed as is the case in other outlets.

serfty walked past Transport and said it was so crowded they were hanging out the windows - and we saw how busy and ordinary Left Bank was last year - indeed Southbank is nothing short of a zoo post GF. So it was great to sit in a civilised environment and be able to hear each other as we closely scrutinised evry play that took place during the game.

Then the simple walk to The Olive Tree! Well not so simple - first Bundy tried to commit hurry curry by stepping in front of some out of control lunatic cyclist - then cove attempted to display his manly tendencies by shirt fronting an outbound tram - but we did get there in one piece eventually.

Now I hope you guys enjoyed The Olive Tree - we were lucky we actually scored Sonia the boss's #1 daughter to look after our table - how good was the service level overall? The Leconfield Cab Sav was just going down a treat - I am quite partial to Leconfield - just love Coonawarra reds in general.

And now to those steaks - were they good or were they good? That is unquestionably the best value restaurant in Melb - I think the quality and level of service is just unbeatable. You might get the impression I love that place - damn right - Amelio the owner and chef has been looking after me there for 20+ yrs - and his 2 daughters Sonia and Tania and the other girl you might have spotted who also looked after us was Cecelia - she has been there longer than I can remember - just fabulous family operation who provide a great product.

Now to the bill payment - and wasn't that an interesting affair? Have you guys ever seen an exhibition like Bundy put on last night? He eats and drinks til it's running out his ears then announces sorry guys I don't have a cracker on me - can somebody cover my bill?

And then penegal - also ate and drank like it was going out of fashion and on leaving he flicks me $20 for his share of the bill! Cool Cat Phil and ric_melb is this fact or is this fact? Did not both of you witness this event exactly as I have described it? For the record the bill incl tip equated to $93ea. Cove, serfty, CCP and Ric you guys are all square - the others I will catch up to!

It was just a fantastic night guys - great fun with a great group of like minded people - lets do it again sometime guys!

Edit: The last 2 paragraphs re bill payment may or may not have some minor colourful interpretations of the finality of the evenings actual frivolities! So to be 100% honest Bundy did make arrangements for his share - and penegal did indeed flick me $150 so I owe you $50 mate - I guess we better catch up again soon so I can 'shout' you dinner mate.

 

[cove]

Yes Cruiser my medium rid eye was the best I have had in Melbourne ...well done on picking the Royce and Olive Tree on the night of the grand final.
Today we are doing a JASA long cut because we can.

 

[penegal]

A fantastic evening to be sure...

Cruiser Elite - Next time I will have to pay you in 5 cent coins so you can get out the scales and weigh my contribution to the tab

 

[penegal]

pity it didn't get its own thread, had no idea

Indeed, it was a bit hidden away in the AFL thread.

I was going to post a link on the social event page, but forgot

 

[blackcat20]

Indeed, it was a bit hidden away in the AFL thread.

I was going to post a link on the social event page, but forgot

First time I'd come into this thread, and id assume the same for quite a few others. And we don't like missing out on these things.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Sorry blackcat I just never thought to start a seperate thread - this night did just kinda evolve around those going to the footy to catch up for a drink afterwards as we did last year - my bad.

Might I propose an annual event mirroring exactly what we did last night - past GF drinks at the Amberoom at The Royce Hotel on St Kilda Rd at 6pm followed by dinner at The Olive Tree at 8pm. Attendance / participation open to anyone and everyone.

Only proviso will be genuine notification of intention to attend by Wednesday preceding GF so we can make booking.

 

[penegal]

A tradition I would certainly be up for...

Although I dare say I will be back at the Olive Tree much sooner than next year

 

[ric_melb]

A big thank you to Cruiser for organising this event. Only sorry now that I didn't get to the Royce first. I will blame that on Bundy's cash crisis.
Well it seems that we can have a repeat next year, and I know I will be a starter.
Its hard to believe that the Olive Tree has been there 40 years, and I have never been before. Certainly agree that the service and menu were great. And what about the steaks?
400 and 500 grams at prices you'd pay for half the size many places elsewhere.
Good to see visitors from the West there also, even if one wore a purple shirt and was cash poor.
Not only was Penegal there, on time, but even tipped you for his food it seems.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not only was Penegal there, on time, but even tipped you for his food it seems.

Yes generous chap isn't he!

 

[whatmeworry]

Yesterdays game can be summed up in this picture below.

 

[travelislife]

Considering the last 3 grand finals I had been to before this one was 2005, 2006 and 2012 yesterday was a massive let down. The game was over halfway through the 2nd quarter. I wouldn't have minded losing by 60 points if it looked like we had given it our all but we had so many passengers and players looked spooked, you would have thought most had never played in a Grand Final before. Even as a neutral it just would have been a bit of a boring one sided game. The sad thing is that Buddy was probably our best player who looked like he had some passion.

I also want to acknowledge Serfty again who generously helped out with getting me and my old man to the game. Dad was back on the flight to Bangkok on Saturday night after the game so would have been a long trip home, a long way to come for not even a competitive game. Thanks all the same Serfty.