AFL Chief Photographer Michael Willson shares his top ten favourite pictures taken at the MCG.
Photo #1
"Kicking off the series is a picture I took on the morning of the 2019 AFL Grand Final."Despite the early start, capturing the sun rising over the MCG on Grand Final morning is quite a magical experience - witnessing the calm before the storm. The sky changes so quickly, you can go from complete nothing to quite something in a short few minutes. Unfortunately for the GWS GIANTS, the deep orange hue wasn't to be an omen."
Photo #2
"One of the great privileges of my job is being in the centre of the 'G on Grand Final day for the toss of the coin. It’s a surreal feeling - 100,000 eyes and millions more around the world are focused on what you’re shooting."I remember the look of steel on Hodgey’s face as he walked to the toss for the 2015 Grand Final. He won and the Hawks were away."
Photo #3
"I love the history of the MCG. Carlton and Collingwood have had some epic encounters on the hallowed turf over the years."When Charlie Curnow took this huge grab over Tom Langdon in 2018 it was compared to Alex Jesaulenko’s famous mark over Graeme ‘Jerka’ Jenkin in the 1970 Grand Final. Same teams, same action, same spot on the ground. I love that connection this picture has to the past."
Photo #4
"My favourite spot to shoot at the MCG is Southern Stand side, Punt Road end pocket."The very reason for this is illustrated in the picture above from 2016. The late afternoon sun streaming through is spectacular."
Photo #5
"The most extraordinary goal I’ve witnessed at the MCG."Jack Higgins invented something out of nothing with this beauty over the Pies in 2018. I love the trail of destruction in the foreground, and the looks of confusion and anticipation on the faces of the Tiger Army in the background."
Photo #6
"The ANZAC Day Eve match between Richmond and Melbourne has grown to be a wonderful night on the MCG calendar."It also offers photographers a chance to get creative when the light towers of the 'G are switched off and just the players are lit up during the playing of the Last Post. The mobile phone lights in the crowd finish the picture as illustrated here before the 2019 match.
Photo #7
"Surely one of the most famous marks taken at the MCG."With ice in his veins Brendon Goddard reeled in this spectacular grab during the last quarter of the drawn 2010 Grand Final between Collingwood and St Kilda. It was to become the last ever drawn Grand Final.
"I will never forget the storm that blew over the ground not long after the match finished. It was like the ghosts of ’66 were looking down."
Photo #8
"The 2016 Western Bulldogs Grand Final victory is one of the great Australian Football stories."The lap of honour was winding up and I’d actually already packed up my gear when I noticed Bob Murphy walking on his own. He was pumping his chest and getting emotional, so I quickly pulled out my wide-angle. He let out a massive roar and pulled up his windcheater to reveal his Bulldogs jumper underneath. Special moment."
Photo #9
"The late afternoon light at the MCG gives photographers a chance to be creative."From level 4 of the Great Southern Stand you can capture some really interesting compositions with the play of light and shadow."
Photo #10
"My last picture is perhaps the strangest experience I’ve had at the 'G."Round 1, 2020. 90,000 fans absent as reigning premier Richmond enters the arena, stands that would normally be shaking were without a soul.
"The Covid-19 crisis had hit our great game. I look forward to the day where I can re-shoot this frame – with the stands full, the noise deafening and the home of football pumping again."
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