It looms large every year , but ever slightly it diminishes . That’s what happens when you live overseas , the big days back home mean a lot but they lose their aura when you’re not immersed in it . I’ve kept my membership running and have even maintained my seat ,all in the deluded hope that my Saints can be good again . The fear was palpable when I left , I thought it would be preordained that as soon I was gone that somehow my team would rise again and play in that last big game of the year . Then I could fly back for the weekend and see this impossible dream come true , but also I worried that maybe I’m some kind of jinx and that if I stayed here they’d win it ,forever to be tortured that I couldn’t be there to see them win it , just once . My marriage ,the birth of my children and then the holiest of days , attending the MCG to see the Saints lift the Holy Grail …………..”Wake up dickhead , it ain’t happening and if it does you have nothing to do with it .”
The Grand Final means nothing over here , in fact most Americans think we only play rugby and have never heard or seen Aussies Rules Football . I would’ve thought that us expats would gather somewhere to celebrate the big day . A place where families can get together over a bbq , a few beers , a big screen and at least pretend it means something. No , it hasn’t happened so far . In the South Bay where we live and LA in general there seems to be more Sydneysiders and Queenslanders . We know it doesn’t mean much to them , even the Rugby Grand Final hasn’t caused a murmur. Last year I listened to the game on radio , the year before I sat around at our Aussie neighbours and watched it in their apartment , but it wasn’t the same . There’s no build up , no hype , just a picture . You feel removed .
“Hey Troy , I got tickets to Busby’s for the Grand Final in Santa Monica . Would you like to come ?” Leroy’s tennis coach Pat loves all things Australian , particularly Aussie Rules and the Hawthorn footy club . He was introduced to the sport by a fellow American who had friends in Houston who were Aussies . 5 years previously Pat had gone down to Busby’s with his friend to watch the Granny . It was there that he ran into Hawthorn supporters who influenced him to adopt the Hawks . Of course the Hawks would win the premiership that day and the deal was brokered. Those guys are still friends with him today . Just recently Pat visited them in Brisbane , staying at their place ,being chaperoned around town and even flown to Melbourne to watch the Hawks play GWS at the MCG ( think it was the smallest Melbourne crowd on record , it’s a pity he didn’t see a big game ) . At each lesson we have to come up with the Aussie word of the day . After 2 and a half years I’ve ran out , I tell Pat that all I’ve got left is a large collection of X rated words and sayings . I whisper them to him out of the kids ear shot . He usually bursts out laughing and starts the lesson with a big smile on his face ……..”Why not mate , I’d love to come . In fact I’ll drive as I have to work the next day .” It killed me to offer that , to be driving and not drinking , but this should be fun to go out with a heap of Aussies .
Busby’s in Santa Monica is actually located a little inland and away from the touristy strip . We pull up and park out the back .Theres a queue of about 10 people waiting to get in on a dingy low lit street . A 6 foot 6 3330 pound black dude with dreadlocks ,a black leather jacket and a beanie stands with his arms crossed .He looks like some rappers minder . Along side him a 6 foot Indian looking dude is taking tickets . I’m thinking ..”shit are we in the right joint .” I then ask a couple in the line ..”Yeah mate ,this is where the Granny is being showed . ” I look and smile . Yep there’s no doubting that accent . The Indian guys then announces ..”All right who’s got tickets for the Granny .if you’ve got’m come on bloody in , if ya haven’t ,pay up !” .It couldn’t have been delivered with a more broad Australian accent . I look at Pat and smile , he laughs . We are definitely at the right place . 
Black and yellow scarves , the odd Richmond jumper ,people packed around the bar , mostly standing ,the echo of “Mate “,”shit yeah “, “ya reckon “, TVs everywhere playing the previous weeks GWS win over Collingwood.,the sound of BT and Bruce McAvaney commentating in the background and even the earthy smell of four’n’ twenty pies wafting through beer drench . I look at Pat , nod my head with a smile and say “let’s get stuck into it , whaddya want to drink , no light beers allowed .” Busby’s is a bit of a den ,dark with several rooms that extend to the back area where couches ,a pool table and an eclectic collection of kitchen chairs and one long table sit . This is where we set up camp .It isn’t long before the joint is bustling . I’m talking to Tony and Lisa from Lillydale who are on holiday .Pats talking to another guy who coincidentally happens to be a tennis coach as well . We talk briefly to several groups of people ,nearly all are here on holiday . The event is run by the LA Dragons , an Australian football club that plays games against OC ,SanFran ,SanDiego and other carnivals interstate . They run a raffle , I’m within 50 of winning on several prizes and just miss the box of pies by 6 tickets . 
Still it seems the Dragons take the aloof Californian approach ,their room is cordoned off from the rest of the pub and they barely mingle . It’s not the best way to promote your club . The lay out segregates each group and it is a bit of a shame there isn’t one big room with a big screen to capture the big day vibe . The pre match entertainment and build up is skipped by the broadcaster , an English provider . The tvs switch over for the national anthem . Pat is surprised that hardly anyone stands . I explain that our National Anthem doesn’t hold the same reverence of the US counterpart . We are proud of being Aussies but I think we generally don’t think our national song is our own .I don’t think it holds a candle to the ‘Star Spangled Banner ‘. Everyone starts to bustle ,settling in their seats and then ………WTF!! The joint bursts with a large moan , the tvs go black , we’ve lost the broadcast . It reappears just as the opening bounce goes down . The 1st fourty minutes is a poor spectacle to be showing American friends , fortunately Pat has a reasonable understanding of the game . He just wants a close finish . I tell him it’s unlikely , “Richmond will smash them “. And they do . Eventually the pro Richmond crowd takes over , it’s enjoyable just watching these guys celebrate . The majority of people here are under 30 . Eventually the game is over . We leave quietly . I look over my shoulder at a group of young guys with their Richmond scarves . There’s a group of young American girls who’ve come to the bar to check out the Aussie guys, they’ve got the full attention of the group of celebrating Richmond guys ……….lucky fuckers , I think they’ll get to take an American trophy home tonight .
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