Mepunga couple attend AFL grand final at Perth's Optus Stadium

Neville and Wilma Wallace set off in their caravan about three months ago with no idea they'd end up being two of few Victorians to attend this year's AFL grand final and watch the Melbourne Demons claim a massive 74-point victory over the Western Bulldogs, ending a 57-year premiership drought.

The match was played at Perth's Optus Stadium for the first time in AFL history after the MCG was ruled out of hosting due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown in Melbourne.

Mr Wallace said they were planning to head back to Victoria until they heard news that the preliminary final between Melbourne and Geelong had been moved to Perth.

"We thought 'how good is this?' and from there, everything just fell into place," he said.

"We went to the preliminary final, which was brilliant, and when they got through that we said 'we're not going home yet'."

With a pre-grand final bye, the couple waited two weeks before the biggest game of the year.

Mr Wallace, a self-proclaimed "mad keen Melbourne supporter" who attended their last premiership win in 1964 at the age of 16, said it was a nerve-racking experience.

"Yesterday morning there wasn't a lot of conversation about the game, we were both pretty nervous but were confident they'd put on a good show," he said.

"At half time we were both scratching our heads a bit but then they turned the game around and the way they played was just spectacular."

Mr Wallace said he believed about three quarters of the crowd was backing the Demons.

"We spoke to a lot of WA people and majority of them were on the Melbourne bandwagon, it just seemed like everyone was there supporting them," he said.

"After all the disappointment we've had and the near misses and losses over the last 52 years, I think most people were hoping they'd have a win."

Mr Wallace said it was hard to describe the energy at the stadium when the siren sounded.

"You just yell and scream and carry on like a pork chop. That's all you can do, you can't put it into words," he said.

"It was great to be able to be here on an occasion like this. It's the only time there's ever been a grand final here and to be part of that is extra special. It's just the best thing ever."

Mr Wallace recalled attending the MCG as a teenager to watch his beloved club win their 12th premiership victory against Collingwood.

"Back in those days you could just rock up at the MCG and get tickets," he said.

"It was a great experience then and now 57 years later, I get to relive the memories."

Mr Wallace said he converted his wife from Essendon many years ago.

"I think she's quite glad about that now," he said.

"It's magnificent to be here now together."

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