John Monie stands in the middle of the home dressing room at the Sydney Cricket Ground and hands Mick Cronin his Parramatta jumper.
It is not grand final day of 1986. It is 30 years to the day since then and the entire team – save for a couple who cannot make it – are watching on as we all step back in time.
"If I was coach," Cronin said, still the game's sincerest gentleman, "I would not have picked me."
Having lost the sight in one eye during a trial match earlier in the year from a stray finger, Cronin had missed most of the season. By his own admission, he was on old legs and coming to the end of his career. He was carrying cracked ribs into the game.
He also nearly missed kick-off after being caught up in an 18-car pile-up as he made the drive from his home in Gerringong to play his last game of football.
"Isn't this lovely?" Cronin said to himself. "Last game of football …"
When a policeman noticed who was stuck in traffic, Cronin casually said: "I shouldn't be here, should I?"
He was given a police escort to the ground and Eels second-rower Mark Laurie recalls he and his teammates walking into the dressing room after the warm-up and there was Crow, lacing up his boots.
It's lucky Cronin made it. He landed two goals in the 4-2 win – a tryless grand final – and then completed a lap of honour with fellow retiree and captain Ray Price.
The image of the pair accepting the Winfield Cup from Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and then their lap of honour holding the JJ Giltinan Shield – and then cans of Toohey's – are part of grand final folklore.
There are countless functions and luncheons and black-tie events in NRL grand final week these days, but the intimate reunion on Wednesday of the 1986 premiership team in the SCG members' bar was truly something. Fairfax Media was given exclusive access and it was an honour to be there.
The underlying message from the afternoon was one game of footy can – as trite as it sounds – create a bond that lasts forever. The affection and respect the players have for each other all these years later was there for all to see. A team that never stopped being a team.
For some of them, it was the first time they had been back at the ground since that afternoon in '86.
Hooker Michael Moseley walked into the dressing room, took one look at his jumper hanging between those of bookends Terry Leabeater and Geoff Budgen, and burst into tears.
"I wasn't Sterlo or Kenny or Cronin," he said, referring to the Eels' galaxy of stars. "I've never taken it for granted that I played with 11 internationals."
As the players warmed up at the back of the ground, Rose Tattoo pumped up the crowd with their song We Can't Be Beaten.
"Hear that?" Price screamed at his troops. "WE CAN'T BE F-----G BEATEN!"
Parramatta had humbled Canterbury 28-6 in the major semi but knew they'd be tougher to beat in the grand final. Bulldogs coach Warren Ryan had revolutionised defence during the mid-80s. Monie knew what it was going to take to beat them.
"No one will win this game," he said to his players. "You just wanna hope you're leading at the end of it."
As the coach predicted, that's how it played out, right down to the last few minutes when seven or eight players swarmed on Bulldogs winger Andrew Farrar and rolled him into touch just centimetres from the try-line.
"That summed up what this side was all about," Peter Sterling recalls. "We were all there for each other."
And still are.
Tough week ahead for cricket community
Wisely, Michael Clarke has delayed the release of his much-anticipated autobiography because it was going to clash with the looming inquest into the death of Phillip Hughes.
There has been growing chatter in cricket circles about the situation because invites were sent out for the October 10 launch – the first day of the five-day hearing following the death of Hughes in 2014 when a bouncer struck him in the head at the SCG.
Best mates: Former Australian captain Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes out in the middle in 2013.
It will now be launched and released a week later, on October 18. Presumably, a 60 Minutes profile on Clarke will also be delayed.
The cricket community is bracing themselves for an emotional week with players and support staff expected to be called.
While it remains unclear what the terms of reference are for the inquest, it is believed it will explore the very essence of the game: bowler trying to intimidate batsman. A sad week looms.
Fifita out of favour
Andrew Fifita was livid that Cronulla officials slapped a media ban on him this week – because he wanted to talk.
The Sharks prop enraged many when he said on the weekend he had "no regrets" over his arm-guard support for his good mate, the one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.
Despite this, Fifita was angry when he was gagged for the team's open media session at Sharkies Leagues Club on Tuesday.
Despite his strong end-of-season form, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Fifita will be picked in Mal Meninga's squad for the Four Nations because of the fear of what could happen on a five-week tour of England.
Mark this one down
If you haven't done it already, sports fans, attending an AFL grand final is a bucket list item.
With the Swans in another decider, it evokes memories for your humble correspondent from 2005 when they played and beat West Coast.
Outside the ground, I approached a Swans fan. He sported a tattoo that read "South Melbourne Forever" on one shoulder and the Carlton and United Breweries logo on the other.
His name was Mark Davies and he had just been released from Port Phillip Prison three months earlier after serving seven years for armed robbery.
"I'll tell you something, I am not going back to jail today," he said.
Then I asked him his name. He pulled down his bottom lip. Sure enough, "MARK" was tattooed inside it.
A season of frustration
David Morrow says he regrets branding match-day officials "idiots" in his now famous rant during his 2GB call of the second preliminary final between Canberra and Melbourne.
In case you missed it, this is how the great "Thirsty" described the decision to call a Blake Austin pass forward: "There is nothing wrong with that pass! You idiot on the sideline, go and read the rule book! Out of the hands, it's gone backwards. That is not a forward pass, you clown! I'm sick of these idiots … the game is in wrack and ruin because of the idiotic refereeing that is so pathetic."
Morrow perfectly captured the growing anger about match-day officials. Indeed, how about pulling up the forward passes thrown from the dummy half a couple of times per set?
"But I do regret using the word 'idiots' – that is a bit harsh," Thirsty told us. "It comes from a season of frustration about some of the decisions that have been made. But I could have used a different word."
Q&A: Barry Hall
We spoke to the former Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs spearhead ahead of the AFL grand final.
Where do your loyalties rest this weekend?
I'm torn. People say I'm in a win-win situation. I'm in a lose-lose situation. I barracked for the Bulldogs as a kid and played for them in the last two seasons of my career. I've seen so many people who have worked at the club for years who haven't had any reward. So I'd say the Bulldogs. But I'm a Swans man: premiership captain and life member and in their Hall of Fame.
Is it right that you felt more comfortable in your skin at the Bulldogs?
I probably enjoyed my football more there – but that was about me. When I got there, Rodney Eade said, "I just want you to enjoy yourself". I'm my harshest critic. I would get a few critics in the paper but nobody judged me as harsh as me. That was my biggest downfall at Sydney. It was unhealthy in the end.
Glory days: Swans coach Paul Roos and captain Barry Hall hold the trophy aloft after the 2005 AFL grand final against the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photo: Mark Dadswell
With that in mind, do you understand better than anyone the sort of pressure Buddy Franklin is under as the big dog up front, taking control?
Absolutely. It's changed a little bit these days with sports psychologists, all that sort of stuff. I'm sure the football club has learnt a lot since then. He's the biggest name in the game but he doesn't need to put pressure on himself. It's been proven in recent weeks he doesn't need to be the leading goal scorer. He sets up enough.
What are your memories of winning the 2005 flag?
After the game, it was mayhem in the rooms. But later we grabbed a couple of slabs of beer, we went to the middle of the MCG about 7pm, it was dark, and we sat in the middle of the ground with beers in a cup and chilled out. Nobody really spoke. We just soaked it up.
Who wins and why?
I think the Swans will win. I know they will turn up.
Barry will be part of Grand Final Day Footy on FOX, LIVE from 9am Saturday on FOX FOOTY.
The week
THE QUOTE
"So who are you wearing?" – Penrith captain Matt Moylan was asked this on the red carpet at the Dally M awards. His reply: "Um, a suit."
THUMBS UP
First the left, followed by the right, left, right, left, right in quick succession, puts front foot forward, extends the arm, releases the ball ... Rest in peace, Maxy Walker. One of the true greats.
THUMBS DOWN
What was Western Bulldogs player Stewart Crameri thinking when he agreed to get married the day before the AFL grand final? Sure, he's suspended but nobody should get married during footy finals. Or the spring carnival. Or State of Origin. Or a Test match series. Or …
It's a big weekend for … the Wallabies. They won our hearts at the World Cup a year ago. They take on South Africa in Pretoria this weekend but rarely has the code felt less relevant.
It's an even bigger weekend for … trainer Gai Waterhouse, who is trying to win her eighth Epsom Handicap with $8.50 shot Fabrizio at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
