For the Brisbane Lions, playing at the MCG on a Friday night is a once in a lifetime experience.
For a whole generation, it wasn’t even that.
The club’s games record holder Simon Black achieved a lot in football, earning a spot in the AFL Hall of Fame this year for a career that spanned 322 games and saw him collect three premiership medallions, Brownlow and Norm Smith medals and multiple All Australian selections and Club championships.
Yet he never played a Friday night game at the G.
His long term teammate Jonathan Brown, who was inducted into the HOF alongside him this year, hadn’t even been drafted when Brisbane last graced the home of footy on a Friday night.
The last time it happened was in Rd 8, 1998, a 14-point loss to Essendon.
Brandon Starcevich, Cam Rayner, Tom Berry and Zac Bailey weren’t even born. Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage were in nappies and only the Lions older brigade Daniel Rich, Stef Martin and Dayne Zorko had started school.
For all of them, Brisbane’s return to the G to play a Friday night blockbuster in round six against Collingwood is a dream come true.
When asked today about travelling to Victoria Daniel McStay brushed off any concerns, saying the excitement of a trip to the MCG had swept through the entire club.
Having a huge club like Collingwood, the victims of some of Brisbane’s September greatest triumphs, made it even more special.
“We're just excited about having Friday night footy again at the G', I don't think it gets any better than that,’’ he said.
“We're just super excited.
“They’re playing great footy at the moment but we'll worry about that when it comes.
“It's nice to get some recognition for having to play on a Friday night.’’
The AFL has also released the round seven fixture with the Lions to head to Sydney to take on the Swans at the SCG on Saturday July 18, at 1.45pm
