Smashing trip in Adelaide! Caught the bus and surprisingly it was quite good value. Everyone was in good spirits for a couple of hours after leaving at 11pm thursday. Plenty of songs, GSH got put on which fired a few up and we called SEN singing a fair bit...ended up getting about 5 hours of interrupted sleep but it was enough. Got into Adelaide around 8am which was too early cause we didn't have alot to do - about 10 of us ended up crashing in a motel room, lying on the floor, mattress, couches etc for a while as we were all pretty fucked.

After what seemed like an eternity we wandered down the street and bumped into other Victory fans at this pub called the 'Rosemont' and it was a superb joint, about 20-30 massive telly's in a room filled with pool and poker tables. We all had lunch and started getting into the grog there, by about 2.30-3pm everyone had spilled out onto the footpath and street and had started singing, was sounding fucking brilliant. Few very funny encounters with people who were passing and we left for the Gov soon after.

Can't really remember much of the Gov but they opened a beer garden for us out the back and it was fucking great. Everyone seemed to be very passionate the songs were amazing there. By this stage everyone had been on the piss since 11 so everyone was slaughtered by the time it hit 5pm or so...Apparently I started begging people for Jagerbombs...after 8 in one and a half hours I chucked up everywhere but was good after that. I have taken lots of photos with randoms, no idea who they are but there's some funny ones...but the Gov was fucking ace. Made about 30 calls whilst at the Gov too.

The match well, we probably got there a bit early but plenty of singing and good atmosphere. Pigs made their presence early forcing us to move bays (we had GA tickets), continuing to threaten us for swearing and then kicking some bloke out before kickoff for burning a go reds sign with his lighter. Everyone was smashed and fired up so once a few Adelaide fans decided to give us all a beershower at about 30 minutes it was fucking chaos. Few Victory fans responded with some banter before the cops came piling in and turfing people out - all we were doing is responded. Lots and lots of terrace regulars were getting pushed by the cops who were determined to be physical, naturally pissed blokes pushed back and there was quite a few spotfires.

Then the flares and firework was let off as a 'statement' I suppose, followed by a mass walk out. Saw a few cops throwing punches, once more they had no idea how to deal with it. One of my mates got done before the game for trying to take flares in and then arrested at half time so I spent a fair bit of time shittalking the coppers and missed first bit of first half...wasn't too many Melb fans left in the stadium - maybe 100 - but I had paid all that money I wasn't gonna walk out. Vargas's goal was good but the atmosphere was lacking a tad second half. Happy to get a point and we chanted to the players as they came back onto the bus.

Definitely a great trip though, the bus was half the fun, but the pre-match was the best session i've ever been involved in, a good 8 hour piss up full of hundreds of classic songs, so so much fun. really enjoyed this away trip, panels better than the last one - i'm talking pregame here - cue joke about me missing the game last time. Delighted I went, even though the game itself wasn't that great and I can't wait for Sydney away.

Dave - Qld away I'm looking at doing too. If we could get a few more people on board, that double sounds alright too me!

Good read there Jimmy, and no one could accuse you of lying. Jaegerbombs and long sessions in the pub do not go together.

How many do you reckon were there in total? Do they still not have a special section for the away fans??

They certainly don't - the floor of the Gov can attest to that! Umm, Victory fans - I reckon 200-250 would have been there but it's a very rough estimate. No special section, adelaide fans were standing at the back of our seats - no specific bays at all. The cops need to realise that policing for football games needs to be something different - it isn't like the fucking cricket or AFL.

Segregation between fans, a bit of common sense - such as having banter is not a valid excuse to kick anyone out, nor is swearing - and not physically attacking supporters - then policing football in this country will be on the right track...

I'll post up some pics later if anyone's interested.

Was also on the bus trip to Adelaide.

Have to agree with Jimmy the pre-game to Adelaide was easily the best i've been involved in. The Rosemont was a great pub, watching Hallifax Town vs Stafford on Setanta Sports at 11.30am already on the piss in Adelaide was a classic! The singing on the streets just afetr midday was probably the highlight of the day for me. By the Gov everyone was just gone. I sat in the corner and actually nearly fell asleep despite the never-ending songs and other stuff you expect at a pub.

The game was enjoyable, very hostile atmosphere between rivals clubs was enjoyable. The typical tosser supporters from Melbourne came out to play just before half time, about 50 leaving the stadium. How you can can go all the way Adelaide and just leave the stadium and turn your backs on the team after making the trip is just beyond me. These blokes just don't give a stuff about anything but themselves and it's a real shame.

Was a good trip all round with plently of memories. Looking at doing the bus to Sydney round 7 now.

Haha well in lads!

Yeah agree with what you said about the 'walk out' storai, if I ever got kicked out for what ever reason I wouldnt want any of my mates coming after me, the reason you go on away trips is to see a game FFS.

Also LOL at people on the darkside saying the flare and fire works were a 'statement' - really made the melbourne fans look like proper wanks again.

Also sorry James but I have no sympathy for your mate who was not allowed in because of having flares. Got exactly what he deserved, but I dont blame you for being pissed off. Agree with what you're saying about no segregation, the FFA really needs a kick up the ass with this issue (among alot of other things.)

Look forward to seeing a few snaps, already seen a few and it looks great!

Again, I don't see why they can't segregate the fans properly. Or at least give us a bay on the bottom tear and a bay on the tier above us so we can't get pelted with shit all game. Seems logical.

I have nothing against the lads who left. I spoke to a mate who was over there and he got kicked out for doing absolutely nothing. Then pushed down the stairs by security on the way out. If ya mate gets kicked out for nothing and then assaulted by security then you have to do what you have to do. If it happened to one of you guys I doubt I'd just stay in the stadium and keep singing.

Fair play to those you stayed in the stadium though. The boys needed some support and as has been said, you spend all that money and travel that far, it's a big move to leave the game. Especially for Jimmy cause he didn't even make the stadium last time! lol.

I have no sympathy for those kicked out for flares though. You bring em in, you run the risk. Have to wear it if you get kicked out.

last year they did it really well the first time Dec 1st
we were segregated in the corner
there was a victory only bar
and a very good security line sepreating us as they made all united fans leave first (we of course won 3-1)

the final was fucked because of the size of the travelling group
and they must have thought thats how many there would be again

clearly the stories are bad and in melbourne we would not get away with the same so lets all hope they fix this shit up
sydney away bettere not be this bad. there'll be 500 of us
at least perth will be all cool with 20 of us

I reckon double that.

doesnt help when your under the united fans, sorta makes it easy for them to throw shit at you, plus the policing is a fucking joke, they need training from the english. Really just a general understanding of what is allowed and what is stepping over the line, as said banter and few swear words is common place and not a reason for kicking someone out.

and yes double that.. sydney is going to be massive! also thinking of doing the double over new years, see how the money is.

okay lads time to talk sydney away october 6th
i'll be booking flights tomorrow hopefully and will put them up here
just wondering bout accomodation
if you've already planned it thats cool
need ideas from those who went last year
cheers

Yep Im hoping to book sometime this week and have accomadation booked a bit later, although if worse comes to worse ill just sleep on a park bench haha.

I'll post the details of my flights when I finish booking.

Most likely bus for me for Sydney, save the extra cash for Perth and Queensland. Rd 21 Syd could also be a goer depending on our position.

Looking forward to Leeds taking over Sydney!

I have booked flights for me and my mate!!!

MELBOURNE - Avalon to SYDNEY
Sat 06 Oct 2007
0600 - 0715 $79

Mon 08 Oct 2007
SYDNEY to MELBOURNE - Avalon
0745 - 0915 $99

Costs us 182 each
Mate will be driving to Avalon from Mount Waverley if anyone else is catching the red eye and needs a lift

Um thinking of staying at captain cook. its where we will be drinking so figured that would be really convenient. its 60 bucks for twin room or 28 each for a 4 bed mixed dorm. might get a cheaper place but would cost more on cabs anyway. hopefully theres still rooms at captain cook. only 17 of em

FOR ANYONE WHOS INTERESTED FOR PERTH GAME

Jetstar until midnight TONIGHT are offering $49 one way (but offered both ways), only catch is fare not available on fri and sundays. would do it myself but will be o/s.

so considering perth is 3 weeks away (fuck its come quick)
just wondering what everyones plans were with flights and accom