In light of a recent discussion in another thread, I thought it'd be interesting to see how much footy people have played. Respond to the poll and share your experience.

Me: I was footy obsessed from a young age (~4), but I spent the early years of my life living a long way from civilization and there was no way to get involved until we moved. My older brother was at a boarding high school in Hobart and was an absolute gun (played in the Tassie side with Matty Richardson), which only helped to fuel my love of the sport.

The year after we moved to Hobart (I was ~10), I played one season for an underage club but my parents didn't want me to play any further as I had suffered a severe (unrelated) head injury around the same time and they believed contact sport was too risky. Once I became old enough to choose for myself, I was on a list for a local club for one season, but as I was super-rubbish and the coach was a dick, I decided that I had better things to do than spend my Saturday mornings on a freezing cold bench for 3/4 of a game before taking my place in the back pocket for a side already 100 points down, so I gave it away.

I'm now 30, total career tally games: around 20. I still love the sport, more than ever possibly, but my experiences with actually playing were almost entirely negative, and as I'm not getting any younger it's very unlikely I'll pull on a pair of boots again.

Worked through St Peters, then North Blackburn in the eastern suburban churches league - not many 'churchy' types played there.

No teeth and home made tatts were the order of the day.

Played a couple of years in the Goulburn Valley for Echuca, earning about 300 dollars a game....pretty good paper for the 80s!

Gave up just before our first child was born......well over 250 games of suburban and country footy. Still have the mangled fingers

Edited October 25, 201312 yr by jumbo returns

Played in the TAC Cup but only a battler and never good enough at that level consistently.

Played local footy from then on till injuries, family and work took over.

Just another footy tragic who loves the MFC.

I did most of my playing at schoolboy level and was never particularly skilful. I had no weight at all (made Cale Morton look like Mr Creosote) and was easily pushed aside... did manage to sneak a few goals though.

I once played a half a game in the early 70's with an undermanned, Cowboy Neale coached Ainslie team in Canberra (they realised the error of their ways by half time), so now I live vicariously through my 11 year old son who has so far done well in his first season with the Newtown Swans here in Sydney.

Moved to the country when I was 10, started footy at 11, played 13 seasons until I was 27. I missed a lot of footy between 13 - 15 due to sport and motorbike injuries. Best level was playing in the Bendigo Football League. In my last game I went up in the ruck came down on both feet tearing my hamstring and groin upon landing. I never played again and to this day my hamstring/quad/groin is still the area of weakness.

When I was 16 nad started playing open age footy, the full-backs were still kicking drop kicks! And one bloke coud stab pass with such force we asked him to stop because it hurt so much.

I still miss it. I love running and swimming but nothing beats the skill and physicality of our great game.

While I love the Dees, footy has never been my game. I played a couple of other sports at a pretty decent level including state rep squads as a teen. I never had the level of commitment to take it further. I have no idea how many games I played for my school. Not that many.

Country footballer that came through the TAC cup with the bushies and played with some very good AFL today.

Went over to the SANFL to have a year under Former demon player Clay Sampson then back to Victoria to the VFL with Coburg who interestingly was coached by Jade Rawlings for half the year before he took over from Terry Wallace.

Played EDFL for Northern Saints now back up the country playing the strong Ovens and Murray league (Fev League) and still going today

Though didn't have a really good year this year battled hamstring problems...

Great thread could snag a few recruits for the forum games Lol

I played from under 9's in the Northern Footy League, a couple of years in the VAFA and back in the NFL now just playing with some mates.

I'd give anything to be able to put on the red and blue though, like everyone on here.

played 1 full season for hill End footy club in the 4ths (U/16), then had a season off, came back the next season in yr 11 (U/18's) and damaged my A/C joint in my shoulder 4 games into the season and haven't gone back since, but i do still have the urge to. Was never all that good, was played either along the HFF or either BP/FP. Highlight was kicking my 1 and only goal, crumbing off our FF.

U9s - 17s 2 Premierships.

2 Years U19s

Now 23 No Senior Footy.

Played a few chukkas in my day by jove. Quite handy with the stick if I do say so myself!

Played junior footy in the Southern Mallee League with Rainbow, family moved to Geelong and played with South Barwon, last junior season with Modewarre. Senior reserves football with Belmont G.D.F.L and Sebastapol in the Ballarat League. A few senior games for Warragul Industrials, too many injuries and not enough ticker brought the career to an end. After seeing a few peers faced with knee transplants and other long term injuries, glad I got out and spent my Saturdays watching the Dees when I did.

Played a lot of footy as a kid in Adelaide. Got to the age of 15 and had to choose basketball or football as top level opportunities came in. It was Senior State League for basketball and South Adelaide u17s for football. As the basketball gig was a higher level I chose that. Some days I wish I didn't but I made it to the pros for one year so I shouldn't complain. Played some amateur footy after I retired from basketball both in Canberra and here in Melbourne in short spurts and loved it but the knees ain't what they used to be.

Played around 15 games for Alexandra Hills Bombers in Brisbane (somewhere in lower division ammos) in the early 90s and 7 games for OHA reserves in the Hobart Old Scholars league in 2006. The Ships' (OHA) club song is It's A Grand Old Flag and it was awesome to belt it out after my first game which was the teams' only win for the season. I've been playing soccer the last 10 years and the club I play for had a social Aussie Rules game the other week. Managed 10 touches playing mainly fullback and somehow roosted a kick-in past the centre line - it was on a high school oval though so it was only a 60 metre kick but it did roll another 20-25 after getting a sweet bounce.

EDIT: did a quick Google and the Bombers song was also It's A Grand Old Flag and wear red and blue, but like Port Melbourne. Could not remember either.

Edited October 25, 201312 yr by Clintosaurus

I had a run with U19's VFL.

I didn't impress switched to VFA Mordialloc Div 2.

Conscripted and went to Vietnam.

Came home and played another season with Mordialloc, with a couple of other ex dees.

Then did a knee footy done and dusted.

150+ QAFL games and a premiership.

A bit of time in VFL at Springvale.

Div 1 SFL.

Played one match in an all girls match in the bush which of course qualifies me to make highly valued and informed opinions on Demonland- like the rest of you!!

Played one match in an all girls match in the bush which of course qualifies me to make highly valued and informed opinions on Demonland- like the rest of you!!

Probably over-qualifies you tbh. Girls footy is tough.

Edited October 25, 201312 yr by mrtwister

Probably over-qualifies you tbh. Girls footy is tough.

How delightfully patronising.

Many years of junior footy. U19 amateurs then a couple of years A grade before work took over. Went up to the bush in my late 20s and played and ended up an assistant coach.

Now coaching an u14 team in which next season both my boys will be playing.

And both have immeasurably more talent than thier old man.

Edited October 25, 201312 yr by jabberwocky

How delightfully patronising.

How so? Girls footy really is rougher than boys footy. They smash each other like crazy.

How so? Girls footy really is rougher than boys footy. They smash each other like crazy.

How delightfully ridiculous.

Played all through school and with North Kew juniours. I broke my arm in my last game which led to a nasty infection that put me into hospital for over a week. My parents would not let me play after that.

Edited October 25, 201312 yr by america de cali

How delightfully ridiculous.

How delightfully opinionated.

Disagreement noted.

How delightfully patronising.

Thanks BbO I really love reading your posts. I agree with many of your Demonland opinions. Keep em coming.

So looking forward to a great year in 2014 with lots more success. It was great cheering the Dees with all of you Demonlanders- such good camaraderie to keep us going. Let's ride the optimism wave. I'll be there in 2014 cheering with you all.