A renowned figure at Pat and Tina’s Service Station on Numurkah Rd, Shepparton, Di Conza could be seen handing out free beers the day after the game and, having not been able to see his beloved team receive the cup in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, he will finally get to lay his hands on the prized artefact when it makes its stop at Shepparton Marketplace on November 22.
He said it was incredible to see the club go to such lengths to ensure supporters across the state could have their opportunity to celebrate the drought-breaking premiership.
“It is just going to be that exciting it’s not funny, like (Melbourne chief executive) Gary Pert said, it is the people’s cup and it is so great they are doing this tour — especially for all us Victorians who missed out on going to the grand final,” Di Conza said.
“To have the premiership cup physically up here in Shepparton, it is going to be great for all the local supporters to get our hands on it, get a photo and just get amongst the premiership buzz.
“Seeing the cup with the name Melbourne on it has been a dream of mine for a long time and I can’t wait to see it in person.”
The Goulburn Valley is an area with a deep connection to Melbourne Football Club, and Di Conza said he expected the community to come out in force to catch a glimpse of the cup.
“It is going to be huge; I am finding speaking to people in the driveway and around town, even non-Melbourne supporters are going to try and get there as well, so it is going to be phenomenal at the Marketplace for the six hours it is here,” he said.
“I haven’t heard much about how the event is going to look or spoken to anyone at the club, but it would be great to see some of the Melbourne GV exports like Clayton Oliver who played in the game, Adem Yze who was an assistant coach and the legend Garry Lyon who is from Kyabram.”
Now six weeks removed from that fabled September night, Di Conza said he had taken the liberty of indulging in the replay on numerous occasions.
“I have watched the full game about seven times and the part of the game from the 15-minute mark of the third quarter onwards about 13 or 14 times — I just can’t get enough,” he said.
