A kind couple returning from dinner in Torquay pulled over to help, holding the phone and providing moral support as Stinear called on the clean hands he used as a Carlton rookie and Mt Gravatt star to deliver Jack safely, just as the paramedics arrived.

It was only when the paramedics had Rachel and Jack safely in the ambulance and told Stinear that everyone was “all good” that he began to tremble with emotion.

Such was the immediate shock and with finals looming, Stinear wanted to fly under the radar at the time. He admitted he was still raw and emotional days later when he told his players of the life-changing event at what turned out to be an open-air delivery suite as they prepared to beat Fremantle in the first final before losing to Adelaide in the preliminary final.

Normally unflappable, Stinear described Rachel as brilliant with both struck by the kindness of the paramedics and the two strangers who lent assistance.

“The game against Brisbane was a bit stressful in a footy context but in terms of dealing with life, footy has got nothing compared to delivering small children,” Stinear said.

“[Jack’s] a happy little guy, solid little unit. I’m not sure whether he will love the story or not when he grows up.”

He should, because not everyone is born so close to Bell’s Beach on a moonlit night. And his parents should serve as some inspiration to Simon Goodwin as he looks to deliver Melbourne supporters their first flag since 1964.

Stinear’s wife Rachel, of course, is the real hero in this story, but like many mums before her, she is casting off the praise to others, laughing about it now that all is well.

“He [Mick] was extremely cool, calm and collected, under pressure, as much as I could see of him,” Rachel said.

“I think it was a bit of the coaching coming through.”

WARD TO TOMLINSON: I KNOW HOW IT FEELS, MATE

Melbourne defender and former Giant Adam Tomlinson is one of the hard-luck stories of this year’s grand final as he sits on the sidelines recovering from a knee reconstruction as the Demons enter the grand final.

The well-liked 28-year-old had established himself as the third tall defender for Melbourne before he hurt his knee in round seven.

He was entitled to feel mixed emotions while watching the Demons thrash Geelong in the preliminary final and people felt for him when television cameras caught his happy and sad tears flowing after the siren on Friday night.

His former Giants teammate and ex-skipper Callan Ward – another of football’s good blokes – knew exactly what Tomlinson was feeling when he saw that vision. Ward missed out on playing alongside Tomlinson in the 2019 grand final when a knee reconstruction after round four that year kept him out for the season as the Giants charged into the decider.

So a message of support and empathy from the former Bulldog was one of the first things that appeared on Tomlinson’s phone after the win, a gesture that shows the bonds built over a lifetime in footy are the best thing people can take from the game.

LONG TIME, LONG SLEEVES

Will this be the first premiership won in ... well, a very long time, with a player in the long sleeves? And no, sleeve tattoos don’t count.

The weather in Perth doesn’t help, but with Melbourne’s Ed Langdon almost certain to roll up the long sleeves and Bulldogs Caleb Daniel, Aaron Naughton and Josh Dunkley not averse to the idea if it’s cold, this could be a retro special on September 25.

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