EAGLE ROCK by DADDY COOL. Story by Tracy Peacock.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground. Grand Final Day, Saturday 29 September 2018.

In front of me, all I could see were blue and gold beanies and caps. Behind me, all I could see were smiles as wide as the Yarra River.

That was the last Saturday in September back in 2018, on a day so cold I had to wrap my coat tightly and could barely breath. I was in Melbourne’s Federation Square with planeloads of West Australians ready to walk to the MCG to see our beloved West Coast Eagles play in the AFL Grand Final.

I’d never seen them play at the ‘G and my pulse was racing. It had been a season spent celebrating every home win belting out ‘Eagle Rock’ – a West Coast footy tradition. I hoped I was going to get to sing it one more time.

Footy’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Bundling me into my pram on Saturday afternoons in winter, my parents would take me to watch their local WAFL team, East Perth.

They have a stockpile of stories about my childhood experiences with the game. When I started school, I wrote my favourite players’ numbers in my special exercise book. I did the same with their names to learn the alphabet.

Mum and Dad’s footy bonding later extended to my two sons. As toddlers, the boys enjoyed the weekend ritual of driving to the footy with their grandparents and being spoilt with chips, chocolate and a kick of the ball on a Saturday afternoon.

On that day back in 2018, when the siren sounded to start the game at 2.30pm, the noise of 100,022 fans was louder than a jet engine. After Collingwood scored their first goal, the Eagles fan next to me lamented our team’s 2015 Grand Final defeat. “I can’t go through that again,” she said.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter and the final two minutes when Dom Sheed sealed the game with a remarkable goal. I scrunched my eyes together and my chest tightened. When the final siren sounded, I could barely hear it for the roar of rejoicing fans. I cried as I fist pumped the air.

Strangers in front shook my hand. The couple behind gave me high fives. We were all new best friends, enjoying the camaraderie of sport.

I texted Mum and Dad. We won! Then those famous Daddy Cool lyrics filled the stadium, ‘Now listen, Oh we’re steppin’ out. I’m gonna turn around. Gonna turn round once and we’ll do the Eagle Rock.’

Yes, I got to sing that song again and create another story to add to our family footy collection.

Stereo Story# 804

Alas, the West Coast Eagles have struggled in recent years. The 2024 AFL Grand Final, played tomorrow, will be between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions.

Tracy’s previous story was about falling in love with Sherbet.