IT'S been a tense couple of weeks for the Gartside family.
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Robert and his two sons Zach and Hunter are passionate Western Bulldogs supporters, while his daughter Charlie and wife Melissa are mad Demons fans.
After two weeks of waiting for the AFL Grand Final, all of that tension came to pass when the Melbourne Football Club claimed the 2021 flag on Saturday night.
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Melissa Gartside said after a 57-year premiership drought, this Demons' 74-point win felt like a dream.
"It was amazing," she said. "I remember the last Grand Final in 2000. We got absolutely slaughtered and I was devastated.
"To come away with a win and to have my daughter here as well, it's just great.
"We were definitely cheering on but were trying not to make the others too disappointed."
Robert Gartside said he felt like his team was a strong chance to win - especially after a dominate second quarter.
"But then we went downhill," Mr Gartside said. "I still had to be careful with what I said because I still had to live here.
"I was very disappointed to see that we lost but it was great that we made it there. At least we lost to a team that deserved to win."
Mr Gartside said after the Bulldogs' drought-breaking 2016 premiership, he knew how exciting this moment would be for Dees fans.
"It did make it feel ok in one way, because we saw a win five years ago," he said. "But in the back of your mind, you're still thinking about what it would have been like if we won.
"It would have been great to say a few choice words but we still have to live together!"
Mrs Gartside said her and her daughter were having a quiet day on Sunday to celebrate the win.
"We're just trying to let it all sink in," she said.
Mr Gartside said he hoped the two teams would make it to the final game in September again next year.
"It would great to have it again at the MCG," he said. "Imagine the crowd.
"I thought Perth did a good job, to be honest. But I'm not a big fan of the twilight matches. It makes it a really long day - I just wanted them to play."
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
