Happy Birthday MCG: We look back at the 25 most memorable moments in the ground’s history
ON the MCG’s 163rd birthday, we take a look back at the key events that have happened at the home of Australian sport that make it such an important part of Melbourne’s history.
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HAPPY Birthday, Melbourne Cricket Ground.
One of Melbourne’s most recognisable icons was officially founded on this day in 1853, making it 163 years old.
“The MCG is one of Australia’s greatest assets and sits proudly alongside other internationally recognised attractions and attracts three million-plus people annually,” MCC President Paul Sheahan said.
“The MCC has a rich history and a vast heritage collection which has been preserved for its visitors to appreciate.”
“Anyone who is interested in Australia’s sporting history can gain an insight into Australia’s largest and oldest sporting club and the world-class stadium that it manages.”
Tell us your favourite MCG moment. Add your comment below.
The MCC was founded on November 15, 1838, when five men agreed to form a cricket club and since then it has been an integral part of Melbourne life.
One of the club’s greatest achievements is their continued involvement in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Originally built in 1853, the now 100,000+ capacity stadium has played host to some of the city’s most memorable moments.
So we thought it was only fitting on its 163rd birthday, that we take a look back at the key events that have happened there that make it such an important part of Melbourne’s history.
They’re moments that made us cheer, they might have made us cry or they may have simply made us fall silent in awe.
But what every moment has in common is that they will be forever seared in our memories.
MOST MEMORABLE MCG MOMENTS
SPORTS MOMENTS
EJ Whitten’s lap of honour before the State of Origin match (1995)
Dry eyes were few and far between when Ted Whitten graced the MCG one final time. Battling cancer and blindness, Whitten, who played 321 games for his beloved Footscray and pulled on the Big V jumper 29 times, bravely ventured from his hospital bed for the State of Origin clash between Victoria and South Australia.
Accompanied by his son, Ted Jnr, Whitten received a standing ovation as he took a lap of the ‘G, waving and giving the sign for his Victorian State of Origin mantra, “stick it up ‘em”.
Kerryn McCann’s marathon magic (Commonwealth Games — March 19, 2006)
The victory in the marathon by 38-year-old mother Kerryn McCann stands out as the highlight when Melbourne hosted the most successful Commonwealth Games in 2006.
The lead changed six times in the final 2km as McCann battled Kenyan Hellen Koskei in a sprint for the finish.
After the runners entered the MCG, McCann took the lead in the last 200m and the stadium erupted in delight as she won by the small margin of just two seconds.
Sadly, the mother of two, who had defended her title from Manchester in 2002, faced a much tougher challenge a year later.
After giving birth to another child, she lost her fight against cancer and died in 2008 aged 41.
Shane Warne’s 700th Test wicket (December 26, 2006)
In his farewell MCG Test, local hero Shane Warne became the first Australian to take 700 Test wickets when he bowled England’s Andrew Strauss en route to a five-wicket haul on Boxing Day. The crowd of 89,155 — one of the highest crowds for a day of cricket in Australian history — went into raptures.
1877 — First Test at the MCG
Teams representing Australia and England played what is regarded as the first Test match from March 15-19, 1877 at the MCG. Australia won the match by 45 runs and the birth of international cricket was on its way.
1958 — The biggest home and away football crowd (Queen’s Birthday)
THE Queen’s Birthday Monday holiday in June has always been a big occasion in the city.
Since the first season of league football in 1897, a game has always been played on the Queen’s or King’s Birthday.
In recent times the fixture has become a clash between traditional rivals Collingwood and Melbourne, rightfully so because the two teams once played before the biggest home and away attendance in history on the holiday.
On a sunny winter’s day on June 16, 1958, a crowd of 99,256 attended the MCG to watch the top-of-the-table Demons and Magpies clash.
Packing the ground to the rafters, they enjoyed a wonderful contest between the two eventual Grand Finalists which Melbourne won 12.12-84 to 10.13-73.
1970 — The grandest Grand Final (biggest sporting crowd at MCG)
Football’s two greatest rivals Collingwood and Carlton did battle on the grandest stage and produced the last Saturday in September for the ages.
The clash drew the biggest Grand Final crowd which will last forever unless they find some way to add another tier to the MCG stands.
And the 121,696 who attended on September 26, 1970, witnessed what most experts rate as the greatest Grand Final of them all.
Down a mammoth 44 points at half time, supercoach Ron Barassi inspired his charges to turn the game on its head, with his Blues upsetting Collingwood by 10 points in one of the greatest comebacks in history.
And just for good measure, their champion player “Jesaulenko — you beauty” soared for the arguably the greatest Grand Final mark we’ve ever seen.
1961 — Cricket’s Calypso revival (world record crowd for a single day of Test cricket — 90,800)
Test cricket was dying a slow death when the Frank Worrell-led West Indies team arrived on Australia’s shores, but with strong support of Australian captain Richie Benaud, Australians found their love for the long form of the game again, thanks to the West Indians cavalier cricket style.
On the second day of the final match in the series at the MCG on February 11, 1961, a crowd of 90,800 flooded the stadium, which is still a record for a single day’s Test match attendance.
The Aussies ended up winning the series, but the game of Test cricket was the ultimate winner, as hundreds of thousands of Melburnians packed the city streets two days later for a tickertape parade for the West Indians in open cars. The farewell, previously reserved only for royalty, culminated at the Town Hall with Worrell and his men overwhelmed and in tears.
1956 — Melbourne charms the world (Olympics)
The first Olympics to ever be held in the Southern Hemisphere put Melbourne on the map as a stronghold of world sport, when it became the first city outside Europe and the US to host the Olympic Games. The MCG was the key venue at the Games as Australia won 35 medals.
Golden girl Betty Cuthbert was the queen of the MCG with her three-gold track haul, while track-veteran Shirley Strickland took her Olympic tally to a record-high seven medals.
The flame is lit at the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956.
The aptly dubbed “Friendly Games” title was epitomised at the Closing Ceremony at the MCG, when a Melbourne teenager John Wing penned a letter to the Olympic organisers urging that the athletes should march together rather than behind the flags of their countries.
“There will be only one nation. War, politics and nationalities will be forgotten. What more could anybody want if the world could be made one nation,” Wing urged in his letter.
This led to the Olympic tradition that has been followed at the closing ceremony since.
1977 — Centenary Test (Australia vs. England)
Rarely does a commemorative event produce more memorable moments than the Centenary Test match in Melbourne in March 1977.
With Australia struggling at 4-132 on day three and in need of a kickstart, David Hookes provided one when he smacked five fours in a row.
England fought back gallantly in their second innings, led by a mammoth 174 by Derek Randall but fell short by 45 runs, the same result as the first Test 100 years before.
Rick McCosker coming into bat with a broken jaw in the second innings of the Centenary Test.
1994 – Warnie’s hat-trick
A leaping David Boon had everyone at the MCG on their feet in 1994 after his ripping catch sealed Shane Warne’s hat-trick, smashing a remarkable record. It was the first Ashes hat-trick in 90 years.
Warne was wicketless for the innings as England, battling to save the Test, slumped to 6-91. With the fourth ball of his 13th over, Warne had Phil DeFreitas LBW.
Darren Gough edged the next through to Ian Healy, bringing bunny Devon Malcolm trudging to the crease.
Warnie landed his top spinner perfectly, which caught the gloves of Malcolm and deflected to the leg side where Boonie took a superb one-handed diving catch.
Shane Warne celebrates his hat-trick in 1994.
Border and Thompson’s last stand in 1982
The fourth test in the Ashes series in 1982 brought a huge wave of tension and excitement to the MCG, thanks to a thrilling last wicket stand between Allan Border and Jeff Thomson.
They came together at 9/218, needing 74 runs to win. Incredibly, batting overnight, they needed 37 on the fifth morning – and only lost after Thommo edged one to Chris Tavare, who fumbled it but Geoff Miller came to the rescue with a brilliant dive to take the catch.
A three-run loss for the Aussies, but a win for cricket, as few who were there at the MCG on the final day will forget that partnership.
Lillee bowls Viv Richards, last ball of Boxing Day, 1981
It was a memorable sight to see Dennis Lillee steaming in and knocking over West Indian superstar Sir Vivian Richards on the final ball of the opening day of the 1981 Boxing Day Test.
The Aussies were in trouble after being skittled for 198, but Lillie, inspired by a vocal Melbourne home crowd, bowled the key batsman to cap a remarkable spell in which he claimed three wickets in a 35-minute period before stumps.
1977 drawn Grand Final – Kangaroos vs. Collingwood.
The 1977 AFL Grand Final between North Melbourne and Collingwood is regarded as one of the most dramatic grand finals in VFL/AFL history.
The Roos were appearing in their fourth straight Grand Final under super coach Ron Barassi, while Collingwood had come from wooden spooners in 1976 to make the Grand Final.
The Pies were leading by 27 points at the final change, but North Melbourne made a miraculous comeback in front of 108,224 spectators to hit the front, before Collingwood’s Twiggy Dunne responded with a goal in the final minutes to level the scores.
Frank Gumbleton and Ron Barassi after the drawn Grand Final in 1977.
Leo Barry’s mark – final seconds of 2005 Grand Final
Leaping Leo Barry you star. With time ticking down in the 2005 Grand Final between Sydney and West Coast, a last-gasp kick into West Coast’s forward 50 by Dean Cox would be the do-or-die moment for the 2005 AFL season. A big pack flew, and Leo Barry managed to get his hands in the right place at right time, immortalising himself in the history books and ensuring the Swans would end their 72-year premiership drought.
Leo Barry (centre) taking the matchwinning mark in the 2005 Grand Final. Picture: Craig Burrow
2013 – Highest crowd to attend a soccer match – Liverpool vs. Melbourne Victory
When English Premier League club Liverpool visited Australia for the first time to take on Melbourne Victory in a friendly this year, little did they know that they would attract the highest crowd to ever attend a soccer match at the MCG.
The 95,446 in attendance stood as one to sing the classic terrace anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” just prior to the start of play, in a spine-tingling moment that no Aussie soccer lover will ever forget.
Even the Liverpool players appeared stunned and humbled by the rendition, and went on the win the match 2-0.
NON-SPORT MOMENTS
Sound Relief concert
On March 14, 2009, the MCG played host to a plethora of international and local musicians who came together to help raise money for those devastated by Victoria’s bushfires.
The conditions might have been wet and wintry, but it didn’t stop the boisterous crowd getting up to sing along with Kings of Leon, Jet, Hunters & Collectors, Paul Kelly, Wolfmother, Midnight Oil, Kylie Minogue and the many more.
A massive 80,518 people attended, making it the largest paid concert event in Australian history.
1986 – The Pope’s visit
After his election in 1978, Pope John Paul II made a trip to Australia in 1986 to meet the faithful and preach the Christian message.
He landed in Melbourne on November 27 for an evening service at the MCG, as people began gathering at the ground from midafternoon.
In the end it’s estimated over 60,000 were at the MCG for the service, and a real air of joy and happiness was evident in the crowd, who all cheered for Pope John Paul II at every opportunity.
Billy Graham’s Crusade
The 1959 Billy Graham Crusade demonstrated that, for Melbourne, the MCG was not just a sporting ground, but a focal point in Victorian life.
Surprisingly, it is not a sporting event that holds the record for the highest attendance at our great ground, as that honour belongs to American evangelist Billy Graham, whose appearance attracted an estimated crowd of 140,000, many of whom had spilled onto the arena.
US Marines occupy the MCG during Second World War
After the outbreak of the Pacific war, the Government requested the MCG be used for military purposes.
From 1942 until 1945, it was occupied by the US Army Air Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force and the US Marine Corps.
More than 200,000 personnel called the ‘G their home away from home, where they spent their time resting and recuperating, and a number of friendly softball and gridiron matches were played on the ground.
2010 – Field of Women
They looked very pretty in pink, and the 14,000 people certainly got their message across when they donned pink ponchos and assembled on the MCG surface in 2010 to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The crowd formed the outline of a pink woman, organised by Breast Cancer Network Australia, which was staged before Friday night’s AFL game between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
The moving ceremony had many among the crowd in tears as they listened to stories of women who had either beaten breast cancer or lost loved ones.
CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS
Underarm incident
On February 1, 1981 against New Zealand in a one-day match, Australian cricketer Trevor Chappell delivered the final ball underarm, preventing batsman Brian McKechnie from hitting the six runs needed to tie the match. At this point, underarm bowling was not prohibited by the laws of the game, but it was a cricketing low-point that was criticised by prime ministers on both sides and led to the rules being changed to ban underarm bowling.
Peter Hore serial pest
The scene was set for Australia to secure a World Cup berth in 1997, as Aurielio Vidmar netted a goal just after half time to put the Socceroos 2-0 up against Iran.
Then serial pest Peter Hore decided to invade the pitch and security had to spend valuable time getting him off the field, which disrupted Australia’s momentum. Iran then went on to score two goals and progress to the World Cup on the away-goals rule, forcing the 23 Socceroos playing that night to watch the French World Cup from their TVs at home, all no doubt cursing ‘that’ serial pest that they couldn’t be there to witness it first-hand.
Helen D’amico – Grand Final streaker
The shy man of football, champion Carlton defender Bruce Doull, had good reason to blush in the middle of the MCG during the 1982 Grand Final against Richmond.
A 17-year-old American-born by the name of Helen D’amico stole some of the Blues thunder with the first Grand Final streak and the Flying Doormat was the centre of her attention.
The image of Doull backing away from Miss D’Amico, clad only in a Carlton scarf, ranks high among the most-remembered MCG moments.
Unlike with the Peter Hore incident, it didn’t rattle the Blues’ attention, as they went on to win the match by 18 points.
Murali called for chucking
A cricketing controversy exploded at the MCG on Boxing Day 1995 when Australian umpire Darrell Hair called Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing.
‘Murali’ was no-balled seven times in three overs by Hair, who believed the 23-year-old was bending his arm and straightening it in the process of delivery, which is an illegal action in cricket.
Murali had been queried by umpires in the past, but this spell, in front of a 55,000-strong MCG crowd, was the first time he had been called for ‘chucking’.
Scoreboard catching fire
A game in the final round of the 1999 season will be remembered for all the wrong reasons after the scoreboard at the city end of the MCG caught fire.
The fire was deemed to be caused by an electrical fault, and the game between Richmond and Carlton was delayed by almost half an hour.
What’s your favourite MCG moment? Did you witness any of these first-hand? If you could relive any of these MCG moments, what would it be? Can you think of any iconic MCG moments we’ve missed? Tell us in the comments below or on the Herald Sun.
This article originally appeared in the Sunday Herald Sun in 2013
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