Coronavirus: It’s true, man … Daniel Andrews gives Richmond Tigers fans a roar deal

For months now since the second wave hit, five million Melburnians have felt like movie extras in The Truman Show.

Cats fans including former Geelong great Billy Brownless, right, get to watch the game in the bar, while Richmond supporters have to stay at home. Picture: Daniel Pockett

For months now since the second wave hit, five million Melburnians have felt like movie extras in The Truman Show.

Dan Andrews has resembled Ed Harris in the film, overseeing scenarios under which we can live, love and play.

All he needed was Christof’s beret and microphone headset to complete the picture.

Under his roadmap outlined in early September, this grand final weekend was meant to be a circuit breaker. But despite seven days in a row of five or fewer new COVID-19 cases across the city, the Premier is keeping his backside firmly in the director’s chair.

Any further easing of restrictions on retail and hospitality will not be announced until Sunday, and even then they won’t go far enough to satisfy many pub and restaurant owners.

As a result, Melburnians will watch the grand final on Saturday evening at home, in the exclusive company of the household they’ve already lived with cheek by jowl since March.

No gathering of clans, no groups of Richmond fans continuing the tradition at their favourite Swan Street pub.

Black and yellow balloons and banners are much thinner on the ground in Richmond than in previous years.

Supporters may have become complacent as they chase a third premiership in four years, or the sense of community might have been diminished by the lockdown and social distancing.

But 70km down the Princes Freeway, past the police barricade at Little River that marks Mr ­Andrews’ Ring of Steel between metropolitan Melbourne and ­regional Victoria, and you’re into flag contender Geelong, where there is a very different vibe.

Unlike people in Melbourne who hang around outside coffee shops waiting for their takeaway caffeine hit, the citizens of ­Geelong can sit down to full breakfasts on sidewalks and, in lesser numbers, even dine inside.

And come Saturday night they can, within the appropriate social distancing guidelines in place, ­attend their local pubs and bars to watch the Granny.

Former Geelong great Bill Brownless owns the Cremorne Hotel, which is just a stone’s throw from the team’s home ground Kardinia Park.

He’s seen Cats fans gearing up for the big game all week, with flags flying out of car windows and pub patrons eagerly booking their spot on the night.

Under the regime in place for regional Victoria, his hotel can have 40 people in four rooms ­inside, and another 50 in the beer garden — well down on capacity, but enough for a great night.

“Yes, we’ll be restricted in ­numbers, but we know we are a lot better off than our brothers and sisters in Melbourne,” Brownless says.

“It means a lot to be able to come to the pub. It’s not just about drinking and eating. It’s about being part of a community.

“We’ll be here watching the boys and we’ll create a great atmosphere.”

No surprises that Brownless is tipping Geelong for the flag.

“It’s just one of those years,” Brownless says.

“There are too many stories for them not to: Gary Ablett Junior, Harry Taylor, Paddy playing his first grand final — he deserves one. They have their mojo back.”