The Importance of keeping humble as supporters

[Katrina Dee Fan 2,466]

Just wanted to share with everyone a short story from last week's loss against Freo.  I was on my way to Richmond Station, and I happened to pass a Freo supporter.  She mentioned to me, "I hope you're not too upset with that loss." and I replied with "Freo did really well, you deserved that win."

She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters.  She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done".  She though Melbourne supporters were really nice, and that she wasn't used to that kind of response from opposing supporters - "Usually in Perth, supporters yell abuse, but after tonight I think Melbourne's my second favourite team simply because of people like you, being really nice about losing," citing teams like Essendon, Collingwood and in particular West Coast as the worst. She said it made her trip to Melbourne for the game memorable.  

I do think it's an important element of us as supporters.  We don't want to be seen as d-heads, and if we're gaining that kind of reputation, that can only be a good thing.  

[Bimbo 903]

This was a lesson I relearnt while watchin round 23 last year.

Sometime during the third quarter when Geelong were about 7 goals up, i received a text from a Cat fan saying simply "enjoying this",  

I courteously waited until one kick after the final siren before responding "yes".

I try and think of that when we play teams such as Essendon who I dislike most of all

I at least wait until after the game has finished.

[Bimbo 903]

I do however, agree absolutely with what you say and that it is often enjoyable talking to supporters from other teams during and after games.

[Katrina Dee Fan 2,466]

7 minutes ago, Bimbo said:

I do however, agree absolutely with what you say and that it is often enjoyable talking to supporters from other teams during and after games.

Same.  I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine in Perth, who asked me, how is it possible to have so many clubs in one city without everyone wanting to kill each other?  I think that's the great thing about the footy culture in Victoria, you can talk jovially about football with supporters from other clubs and it's mostly tongue in cheek ribbing.  In Perth the opposing supporters of WCE and Freo seem to really hate each other, and I get the impression it's the same in South Australia.  I look at my office, and there are St Kilda supporters, an Essendon supporter, a Richmond supporter, a fellow Melbourne supporter, we all are able to talk about football in a fun, respectful way.  In fact one of the St Kilda supporters in my office and I have a thing we we will buy each other merchandise and decorate each other's desks.  I put some St Kilda flags around his desk earlier this year when he was on long service leave so he came back to a nice surprise, he came back with a Gawny bobble head and some vintage VFL cards from the 80s.  

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,410]

48 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Same.  I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine in Perth, who asked me, how is it possible to have so many clubs in one city without everyone wanting to kill each other?  I think that's the great thing about the footy culture in Vict oria, you can talk jovially about football with supporters from other clubs and it's mostly tongue in cheek ribbing.  In Perth the opposing supporters of WCE and Freo seem to really hate each other, and I get the impression it's the same in South Australia.  I look at my office, and there are St Kilda supporters, an Essendon supporter, a Richmond supporter, a fellow Melbourne supporter, we all are able to talk about football in a fun, respectful way.  In fact one of the St Kilda supporters in my office and I have a thing we we will buy each other merchandise and decorate each other's desks.  I put some St Kilda flags around his desk earlier this year when he was on long service leave so he came back to a nice surprise, he came back with a Gawny bobble head and some vintage VFL cards from the 80s.  

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

[layzie 28,764]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Just wanted to share with everyone a short story from last week's loss against Freo.  I was on my way to Richmond Station, and I happened to pass a Freo supporter.  She mentioned to me, "I hope you're not too upset with that loss." and I replied with "Freo did really well, you deserved that win."

She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters.  She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done".  She though Melbourne supporters were really nice, and that she wasn't used to that kind of response from opposing supporters - "Usually in Perth, supporters yell abuse, but after tonight I think Melbourne's my second favourite team simply because of people like you, being really nice about losing," citing teams like Essendon, Collingwood and in particular West Coast as the worst. She said it made her trip to Melbourne for the game memorable.  

I do think it's an important element of us as supporters.  We don't want to be seen as d-heads, and if we're gaining that kind of reputation, that can only be a good thing.  

Couldn't possibly agree more. It can be hard to stay humble in these times and we all deserve to enjoy having a bigger head at the moment but I always like to remember that there's 17 other team in this competition with equal interest in winning the major prize and we don't have a monopoly over the competition. I think I just saw too many Richmond fans turn into these gruesome creatures.

Pleased to hear this story, it's ok to be confident, even a bit arrogant at times but always stay respectful. 

[rpfc 27,476]

I am all for the merits of this, but this may go out the window when you watch Tom Papley running about tomorrow night…

[Sir Why You Little 34,497]

1 hour ago, Bimbo said:

This was a lesson I relearnt while watchin round 23 last year.

Sometime during the third quarter when Geelong were about 7 goals up, i received a text from a Cat fan saying simply "enjoying this",  

I courteously waited until one kick after the final siren before responding "yes".

 

Magnificent…

[rjay 23,922]

26 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

I'm not particular 'La Dee'...

I hate them all.

[Flower Magic 688]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters.  She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done". 

Sorry, no way am I shaking hands with anyone from Perth. 46,000 Covid cases in WA today and sadly six deaths.

[BDA 20,054]

29 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

I hate other clubs in the tribal footy sense of the word

particularly west coast

[Sir Why You Little 34,497]

37 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

It’s very easy if you have been a passionate Demon for 50 years or more. 
Particularly if you went to “away” games in the 70’s & 80’s

[DubDee 20,651]

45 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

I think someone needs to watch the 2000 GF again!

[Demonstone 19,176]

1 hour ago, Bimbo said:

Sometime during the third quarter when Geelong were about 7 goals up, i received a text from a Cat fan saying simply "enjoying this",  

I courteously waited until one kick after the final siren before responding "yes".

In 2018 when Zach Tuohy goaled after the siren to sink us, a Collingwood-supporting mate sent me a text saying "Gee, that must sting!" complete with laughing emoji.

I didn't bite at the time, but took great delight in sending him the exact same text when Dom Sheed kicked the winning goal to beat the Magpies in that year's Grand Final.  He didn't take it well.

[DubDee 20,651]

2 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Just wanted to share with everyone a short story from last week's loss against Freo.  I was on my way to Richmond Station, and I happened to pass a Freo supporter.  She mentioned to me, "I hope you're not too upset with that loss." and I replied with "Freo did really well, you deserved that win."

She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters.  She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done".  She though Melbourne supporters were really nice, and that she wasn't used to that kind of response from opposing supporters - "Usually in Perth, supporters yell abuse, but after tonight I think Melbourne's my second favourite team simply because of people like you, being really nice about losing," citing teams like Essendon, Collingwood and in particular West Coast as the worst. She said it made her trip to Melbourne for the game memorable.  

I do think it's an important element of us as supporters.  We don't want to be seen as d-heads, and if we're gaining that kind of reputation, that can only be a good thing.  

nice post.  I think it comes down the persons maturity and if they are a [censored] or not

The freo fans I saw on ground level were lucky to get out alive they were carrying on so much.  Sure enjoy the win but don't turn around and get in peoples faces.

[Deepfreeze 163]

We do have our flogs. But on a per capita basis suspect a lot less than most other teams.

Think it's cause we were down the bottom for so long, we are now just enjoying the ride.

5 year window to make the most of it.

[Demon Dynasty 15,487]

Personally i am a big fan of the hissy fits and fan tantrums after a loss.  So much more memorable.

Such as the time we lost to the Roy boys by 1 point at Junction oval in 1972.  I was sitting with mum & dad in the stand and older bro was with the cheer squad.

After the siren i noticed someone in the cheer squad jump the fence and started thumping both fists into the turf on his hands and knees. Oh...thas my bro 🤣

[Sir Why You Little 34,497]

6 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Personally i am a big fan of the hissy fits and fan tantrums after a loss.  So much more memorable.

Such as the time we lost to the Roy boys by 1 point at Junction oval in 1972.  I was sitting with mum & dad in the stand and older bro was with the cheer squad.

After the siren i noticed someone in the cheer squad jump the fence and started thumping both fists into the turf on his hands and knees. Oh...thas my bro 🤣

We lost to the Saints at Moorabbin by 1 point in ‘72 as well. 
I was devastated. (Still remember the feeling)

[tiers 2,769]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

how is it possible to have so many clubs in one city without everyone wanting to kill each other?  I think that's the great thing about the footy culture in Victoria, you can talk jovially about football with supporters from other clubs and it's mostly tongue in cheek ribbing.

Firstly, because there was once 12 Victorian teams so if you hated all opposition supporters there was no one left to be friends with.

Secondly, no matter how one eyed and fanatic we might be, we all love our great game of footy first before we become partisan supporters.

 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,858]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

One of the things that astounds me is how many posters on Demonland describe how they "hate" particular clubs. I just don't get it.

Clearly YOU didn’t grow up in Essendon and surrounding suburbs, early to mid 80’s and you weren’t the new girl at school who was routinely bullied, verbally and physically, by a band of fat thugs (and they were girls, too!) who were diehard Essendon supporters, wearing their disgusting regalia every single day and to whom every other kid grovelled. 
Or maybe you did but you’re just handling it better than I am. 😁

[Demon Dynasty 15,487]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

It’s very easy if you have been a passionate Demon for 50 years or more. 
Particularly if you went to “away” games in the 70’s & 80’s

Yeh so many choice kind words and phrases were used on us & our players (Robbie excluded on rare occasions) in roughly  3.5 decades of suburbun footy.

In particular, Hawks, Essendrug, Crow & Filth supporters.

Just warms me heart when i recollect those times.  All i want to do when i go is return their warm hearted wishes in kind

Edited June 3, 2022 by Demon Dynasty

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,410]

34 minutes ago, tiers said:

Firstly, because there was once 12 Victorian teams so if you hated all opposition supporters there was no one left to be friends with.

Secondly, no matter how one eyed and fanatic we might be, we all love our great game of footy first before we become partisan supporters.

 

This sums me up. I can't hate other teams or supporters because I need them to allow me to enjoy this great game. We should never take this game for granted. Our enemy is not the other 17 teams and their supporters but those who try to prevent AFL from being a success.

[Demon Dynasty 15,487]

41 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Clearly YOU didn’t grow up in Essendon and surrounding suburbs, early to mid 80’s and you weren’t the new girl at school who was routinely bullied, verbally and physically, by a band of fat thugs (and they were girls, too!) who were diehard Essendon supporters, wearing their disgusting regalia every single day and to whom every other kid grovelled. 
Or maybe you did but you’re just handling it better than I am. 😁

The last word sums up your present day feelings for me and how well you've managed to let the past go and move on ....your user name also gives nothing away!

Edited June 3, 2022 by Demon Dynasty

[Beetle 4,295]

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Clearly YOU didn’t grow up in Essendon and surrounding suburbs, early to mid 80’s and you weren’t the new girl at school who was routinely bullied, verbally and physically, by a band of fat thugs (and they were girls, too!) who were diehard Essendon supporters, wearing their disgusting regalia every single day and to whom every other kid grovelled. 
Or maybe you did but you’re just handling it better than I am. 😁

I was refused service in the Safeway Niddrie Deli by a chick, Grand Final day 2000 because I had a Melbourne jumper on. 
All I wanted was some ham.

[Nelo 813]

3 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

Just wanted to share with everyone a short story from last week's loss against Freo.  I was on my way to Richmond Station, and I happened to pass a Freo supporter.  She mentioned to me, "I hope you're not too upset with that loss." and I replied with "Freo did really well, you deserved that win."

She mentioned to me that after that night, she was really impressed by Melbourne supporters.  She said after the final siren, heaps of Melbourne supporters around her offered their hands to shake and said "well done".  She though Melbourne supporters were really nice, and that she wasn't used to that kind of response from opposing supporters - "Usually in Perth, supporters yell abuse, but after tonight I think Melbourne's my second favourite team simply because of people like you, being really nice about losing," citing teams like Essendon, Collingwood and in particular West Coast as the worst. She said it made her trip to Melbourne for the game memorable.  

I do think it's an important element of us as supporters.  We don't want to be seen as d-heads, and if we're gaining that kind of reputation, that can only be a good thing.  

Good call. Think that’s why I despise Richmond. Knew too many supporters that carried on with massive egos after their success.