"ARCTIC Park" certainly lived upto its nickname.
But heavy rain and howling winds failed todeter thousands of Hawthorn fans from descending on Waverley Park to watchtheir heroes go through their final paces before Saturday's AFL Grand Finalagainst Fremantle.
The turnout wasn't as big as it was lastyear's corresponding session, which was blessed with finer weather, buthardcore fans of all ages created a carnival atmosphere at the club's last opentraining session of the season.
Food stands, merchandise tents and portabletoilets attracted long queues, and excited kids and their parents kicked ballson the oval, undeterred by the intermittent showers.
Ponchos and umbrellas were the order of theday, but most didn't bother. Rain forced some to seek higher ground and shelter,but others remained unmoved and unfazed, apparently determined to soak up theatmosphere in more ways than one.
They're a tough mob.
They're also a hungry mob.
A food stand overlooking the oval did aroaring trade as a spruiker theatrically extolled the virtues of treats such as"premiership snags" and "Josh Gibson gingerbread", whichwas priced at $4 and perhaps should instead have paid tribute to star redhead JarrydRoughead.
The event also brought out some unexpectedsights.
England-born Hawks fan Lesley Calverley wastrying to flog 'I [HEART] Buddy' number plates, which have been officially registeredwith Vic Roads, for $1800. She reluctantly concedes she might have better luckoffloading them in western Sydney next year.
"When he's training I might screamout, 'Hey Buddy, why don't you buy these for your mum?' Not sure he'll hear methough," she told AFL.com.au.
There would be no chance of the superstar hearingher plea such was the noise created by fellow fans.
Another unusual sight was that of a mandressed in a muscle-suit, reminiscent of the Michelin Man, to promote a localhealth club.
A passionate fan delivered his version ofShane Crawford's famous proclamation: "That's what I'm talking about!"A cameraman asked him to repeat the effort on camera, and he happily obliged.
Many grown men – even one with silver hairand bifocals who would probably have seen the Hawks' first flag back in 1961 –committed the fashion faux pas of donning Hawthorn jumpers complete withnumbers on their backs.
Independent businesses owners that co-inhabitthe premises also got into the spirit of the occasion by decking out theirstores with Hawks posters, placards, balloons and streamers. Such items, andmore, were seen all around the ground, and it seemed a few stray balloons werealways floating high above the oval.
Many of occupants of the triple-storeyapartments that circle the oval took great interest in proceedings, and proudlydisplayed brown-and-yellow scarves and signs on their balconies.
Before training started at noon, mediapersonality and Hawks fan Stephen Quartermain conducted interviews on amakeshift stage with president Andrew Newbold and premiership greats GrahamArthur (1961), Peter Knights (1976, 1978 and 1983) and Chance Bateman (2008).
Arthur and Knights are among the club'sgreatest champions, but the more recently retired Bateman was afforded thebiggest cheer. "Changa!" they screamed.
All three believe the hurt of last year'sloss will drive the Hawks to victory, though Arthur was more circumspect than lastyear, when he predicted a 10-goal margin.
As the emergence of the players becameimminent, fans crammed against a barrier like they were there to see a OneDirection concert.
The players came out in gaggles, minutesapart. Each time players – or even staff – appeared, it sparked cheering and aHawthorn chant. At one point the theme song blasted over the loudspeaker – arendition that was beefed up by a chorus of enthusiastic fans.
Predictably, skipper Luke Hodge and coachAlastair Clarkson received the most raucous applause. Like many of his players,Clarkson high-fived children on his way onto the oval.
The only sledging was aimed at a couple ofreporters, particularly Mark Gibson from the Seven Network in Perth, who waseither courageous or foolish, but certainly provocative, in donning a Dockers scarf.
By the time training started, the sunre-emerged and fans ringed the oval, three-deep in parts.
Young boys sat atop six-foot-high brickfences to get an elevated view. They knew they were witnessing somethingspecial.
