Ryan Daniels: Fremantle, West Coast can gain inspiration from Brisbane, Collingwood’s journey to grand final

Hello footy fans, it’s Rhino here, I hope you’re keeping well. It’s the 30th of September, and soon they’re ringing the last bells. Gravy? We WA footy fans haven’t had gravy for a while now. Just regular old dry meat. Forget Paul Kelly’s recipe — flour, salt, a little red wine — a dollop of tomato sauce. No level of sweetness or extra tang can make this season taste better for our WA teams. The Eagles suffered through the worst season in club history — humiliation, degradation, at times disintegration. To call it ugly was an offence to ugly. Their year made the Elephant Man look like Brad Pitt. The Dockers had grand dreams — but instead spent the season tossing and turning, unable to find the comfy spot in the bed — no matter how many times they flipped the pillow. Still, walking through Yarra Park this week, towards the MCG, I saw them. A young family, decked out in Purple — proudly wearing their Dockers gear from head to toe. Shirt, hat, even socks for the kids. They were smiling, laughing, playing in a handball competition at the footy festival. Did they book their tickets a year ago, taking the chance their team would be here this time? Were they ex-pat West Aussies turned Melbourne locals? Could they still feel joy? Either way, no judgment was passed. Ducking into Young and Jackson’s — the pub, not the Freo duo — I saw an even rarer sight. A young Eagles fan, at the table with mum and dad wearing a West Coast hoodie. In Melbourne. During grand final week. After winning the spoon. This was no fair-weather supporter. Those moments made me smile. These are dark times in WA footy. The Dockers not yet ready to contend, the Eagles at step one of a 20 step rebuild. But these fans don’t care. They’re proud, they’re here and they’re taking it all in. Truth be told, 16 clubs are left disappointed this week. Only two teams get to do this each year. To be part of the magic, the moments, the parade, the anthem — those few seconds between “Advance Australia Fair” and the bounce of the Sherrin — where every hair on the back of your neck stands upright. Here in Melbourne, there’s gravy everywhere. Collingwood fans with more hope than teeth, old Fitzroy scarves worn proudly — some by hipsters, others by old school Brunswick or Junction Oval diehards. Bands are playing footy songs on street corners, you walk down the road and bump into Leigh Matthews, or Nic Nat, or Joel Selwood. There’s Dipper attending his 40th footy lunch of the week. Club execs and coaches everywhere. It’s hard not to soak it in. So, you pick a side today. And these are the two best ones. Collingwood and Brisbane lost just 11 games between them this year. They’ve won 39. The Lions are led by two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, midfield recruit Josh Dunkley, Harris ‘Inspector Gadget’ Andrews, and Joe Daniher — the one-time Essendon prodigy with the right family name for this occasion. They’re coached by Chris Fagan — today, at 62-years-old, he’ll become the oldest coach in the history of the AFL grand final. He’ll also become the first person never to play at the elite level to coach a grand final side. How’s that for a cool grandpa. The Pies have been the hottest team all year coached by Craig “Fly” McRae, a sprightly 52-year-old who always seems to say the right thing. He’s reinvigorated this Collingwood side into a fun, frenetic and highly watchable unit. You almost find yourself liking Collingwood. Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth. Daicos DNA provided two winning lotto tickets in Nick and Josh, while their skipper, Darcy Moore, is also a product of genetic wizardry — dad Peter won a pair of Brownlows, one playing for the Pies, and will present to cup to his son if Collingwood get up. Jordan De Goey looms as a match-winner, WA’s Bobby Hill as an ex-factor. Right now, they may seem like two charmed, successful clubs — and they sort of are — but it wasn’t long ago they were in their own crisis. Empty gravy boats in the cupboard. Collingwood suffered that five-point loss in the 2018 decider. Dom Sheed hasn’t bought a beer since. Within two years they were a basket case — Nathan Buckley gone, forced to gut their team of stars just to clear the salary cap. But they bounced back quick, losing a thrilling preliminary final to Sydney last season, and now a shot at redemption. After winning just 24 games in five seasons from 2014-2018, Brisbane have won more games than any team these past five years (77), only kept failing at the final hurdle. This is their first grand final appearance since 2004. Things can turn quick — or slow. But they will turn. So, remember that today, while you’re watching these two great teams go at it. For this gravy recipe, patience is the key ingredient.