Cats heroes on parade

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG’S newest premiership heroes can do no wrong.
All week they have ruled the town.
One of them – Cameron Ling – was even made mayor for the day.
He donned the mayoral robes and chains on stage on Wednesday, prompting former Cat and host Andrew Bews to come up with the line, “Cameron Ling complete with bling”.
Captain Tom Harley was only afforded the key to the City. It took Ling just moments to feel the part.
A man in the crowd yelled to him, “Give us the day off.”
The new mayor went one better.
“The first order of business: nobody in Geelong has to pay rates again,” he proclaimed, “and you’ve all got the rest of the week off work to come and celebrate with us.”
The blue-and-white-hooped throng lapped it up at the culmination of Wednesday’s parade through central Geelong to celebrate the city’s drought-breaking AFL premiership team.
They stopped work in busy city buildings for a look, others chose a five-storey car park as the perfect place to take in the parade.
Coach Mark Thompson looked out onto the thousands packed throughout Johnstone Park and just smiled.
“This is just great,” he said.
Finally, he could let his guard down.
“The way you have supported the club at the game, the way you turned out on Sunday, even today has just been fantastic,” the premiership coach said.
“It’s great to be a part of and it’s great to see how much you are enjoying it.”
Deputy Premier Rob Hulls, a rabid Cats’ fan, wasn’t going to miss his chance.
“I just want to say how good is it to be in the greatest city of all, with the best team of all, after having the greatest victory of all,” he yelled.