A NUMBER of players who took part in the famous 1966 premiership decider will be honoured on Saturday as part of the build-up to the grand final replay at the MCG.
In an unusual move, the Collingwood team that lost by one point will be part of the pre-game motorcade, along with the members of the victorious St Kilda side.
Laurie Hill, who lined up on a half-back flank for the Magpies in ’66, said he and his teammates were delighted to be playing a role on footy’s big day.
“Everyone’s been talking about the teams from 1977. Well, I think it’s great that we’ve been asked to do it,” Hill told afl.com.au.
A veteran of 114 games with Collingwood between 1962 and ’69, Hill admitted the team that ran out for the Magpies in the grand final 44 years ago has never had an official reunion.
“We have our past players functions every year, but you don’t tend to make a big thing of celebrating the ones you lose,” he explained.
“It’s all about winning in the end.”
Hill, now 68, said he was looking forward to having a beer with a few members of St Kilda’s only premiership team, although he’s hoping Saturday’s game will produce a different result.
“We’ve always thought they were mongrels for beating us,” Hill added. “But it will be great to catch up with them. I think it’s going to be another great game and a great day.”
Join the grand final conversation on Twitter: use #AFLGF in your tweets.
