You know what? I bloody love this footy club. And have ever since the age of 5 even though the AFL wasn't a thing and I lived in SA. And I always will ever since watching a group of super heroes dressed in blue and red win on a grainy telly in the adelaide hills mid winter. And super heroes they have been ever since - even through our plentiful losing times when I've cursed them in swearing tantrum moments either in a school yard or at home amongst a group of vocal carlton supporting brothers or at the footy or basically anywhere that people care about aussie rules footy and I've vehmently defended the beloved d's as the oldest and still greatest club in the country.

Through all the passion and all the pain I've been there. And always will regardless of what of anyone thinks. Friend of foe. For the red and the blue have always been and always will be the greatest sporting club anyone could have the pleasure of being a part of.

Yet despite the fact we don't need any outside validation - our passion and knowledge is more than enough - I have to say it's been so pleasing to see both friend and foe, media and the average footy follower, saying that based on the heroics of last week by modern day heroes like watts and trac and jones and viney and oliver and everyone really (including that young jeffy bloke whose faster than lightening only nearly matched for speed by that very young guy with the headband) who contributed to one of the greatest mid season wins of the past decade. 

Calls and comments of "passion" "trac was so awesome" "launching pad" "Oliver's a bull" "I'm going the d's" "jack's come of age" "wow" from the media and opposition players and the public over the past 72 hours has made me so smug and so proud. I truly feel something special has happened last weekend with this year and this club; both in the players, supporters and football public alike. It's like everyone loves the way we play and want us to succeed all of a sudden. And I think it's not just deserved - but so bloody exciting.

And makes me proud to (as always) be a supporter of this great club. Go the d's. As always: I love this footy club.

Edited June 14, 20178 yr by Stingray

Me too mate. Me bloody too.

9 hours ago, Stingray said:

You know what? I bloody love this footy club. And have ever since the age of 5 even though the AFL wasn't a thing and I lived in SA. And I always will ever since watching a group of super heroes dressed in blue and red win on a grainy telly in the adelaide hills mid winter. And super heroes they have been ever since - even through our plentiful losing times when I've cursed them in swearing tantrum moments either in a school yard or at home amongst a group of vocal carlton supporting brothers or at the footy or basically anywhere that people care about aussie rules footy and I've vehmently defended the beloved d's as the oldest and still greatest club in the country.

Through all the passion and all the pain I've been there. And always will regardless of what of anyone thinks. Friend of foe. For the red and the blue have always been and always will be the greatest sporting club anyone could have the pleasure of being a part of.

Yet despite the fact we don't need any outside validation - our passion and knowledge is more than enough - I have to say it's been so pleasing to see both friend and foe, media and the average footy follower, saying that based on the heroics of last week by modern day heroes like watts and trac and jones and viney and oliver and everyone really (including that young jeffy bloke whose faster than lightening only nearly matched for speed by that very young guy with the headband) who contributed to one of the greatest mid season wins of the past decade. 

Calls and comments of "passion" "trac was so awesome" "launching pad" "Oliver's a bull" "I'm going the d's" "jack's come of age" "wow" from the media and opposition players and the public over the past 72 hours has made me so smug and so proud. I truly feel something special has happened last weekend with this year and this club; both in the players, supporters and football public alike. It's like everyone loves the way we play and want us to succeed all of a sudden. And I think it's not just deserved - but so bloody exciting.

And makes me proud to (as always) be a supporter of this great club. Go the d's. As always: I love this footy club.

Love your work Stinga. Eloquent and passionate.  It's been tough love at times but it is love. Intense, emotional, harsh and hurtful at times but when it blossoms like on Queens Birthday, it is beautiful and rewards us all in spades after all those lost weekends of the past.   Who did not love Jack Watts in those final few minutes?  His actions and celebrations spoke for all of us. Sheer joy. Sheer love. 

Edited June 15, 20178 yr by hemingway

Laughing at Collingwood supporters is always great too. When Watts dobbed the sealer I was practically laughing at the flogs in front of us.

Both The Age and the Herald Sun had different Melbourne stories on their back pages today. The Age is about how we might play Johanissen; the Herald Sun about us pursuing Jake Lever. When was the last time (if ever) we lead both papers' AFL coverage with completely different stories? I doubt that it would have happened if we weren't now considered to be a newsworthy club...for the right reasons.

35 minutes ago, A F said:

Laughing at Collingwood supporters is always great too. When Watts dobbed the sealer I was practically laughing at the flogs in front of us.

So true AF.  For me the Watts goal and celebrations was so symbolic. The rubbishing and criticism of Jack has been harsh and strident, symbolic of the attitude towards the team and the club. His goal spoke for all of us. Take that and stick it up you, particularly significant that it came against the Woods given that dark day when the footy future of a boy was almost sacrificed on the alter of marketing and expendability. Redemption at last for Jack and the new Demons. The roar from the Demon faithful sent a shiver down my spine but warmed my heart, like it hasn't been warmed for many years. 

11 hours ago, Stingray said:

You know what? I bloody love this footy club. And have ever since the age of 5 even though the AFL wasn't a thing and I lived in SA. And I always will ever since watching a group of super heroes dressed in blue and red win on a grainy telly in the adelaide hills mid winter. And super heroes they have been ever since - even through our plentiful losing times when I've cursed them in swearing tantrum moments either in a school yard or at home amongst a group of vocal carlton supporting brothers or at the footy or basically anywhere that people care about aussie rules footy and I've vehmently defended the beloved d's as the oldest and still greatest club in the country.

Through all the passion and all the pain I've been there. And always will regardless of what of anyone thinks. Friend of foe. For the red and the blue have always been and always will be the greatest sporting club anyone could have the pleasure of being a part of.

Yet despite the fact we don't need any outside validation - our passion and knowledge is more than enough - I have to say it's been so pleasing to see both friend and foe, media and the average footy follower, saying that based on the heroics of last week by modern day heroes like watts and trac and jones and viney and oliver and everyone really (including that young jeffy bloke whose faster than lightening only nearly matched for speed by that very young guy with the headband) who contributed to one of the greatest mid season wins of the past decade. 

Calls and comments of "passion" "trac was so awesome" "launching pad" "Oliver's a bull" "I'm going the d's" "jack's come of age" "wow" from the media and opposition players and the public over the past 72 hours has made me so smug and so proud. I truly feel something special has happened last weekend with this year and this club; both in the players, supporters and football public alike. It's like everyone loves the way we play and want us to succeed all of a sudden. And I think it's not just deserved - but so bloody exciting.

And makes me proud to (as always) be a supporter of this great club. Go the d's. As always: I love this footy club.