1 hour ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

to choose, and rust themselves onto, the Dees

Got a story, Anyone else?

I’ve told this story here before but that doesn’t stop me from telling it again, amirite?!  Heads up, it’s a long one. 

 I chose the Dees as a 7yo within months of emigrating to Australia. And that was as one of eight siblings, the other seven of whom had adopted Carlton, the team for them to the death  (and still is).

The first time I saw Melbourne play was vs. Carlton, of course, and I don’t quite know why but I was instantly drawn to this team. They caught my eye, and before long, my heart. But I didn’t tell a soul. I especially couldn’t tell my brothers, in particular my eldest brother with whom I was extremely close. I knew it would break his old dark navy blue heart to discover that my heart was beating true for the red and the blue. So for a couple of decades I masqueraded as a Blues devotee. I only got to watch the Dees twice a year when they (we?) played the Blues. 

My older brothers took me to every single Carlton H&A match, countless finals and three grand finals (all Carlton). I wore a duffel coat with Bruce (11) Doull, I had Carlton posters on my bedroom wall, I went to training and met the players, all those things a proper diehard does.

This continued until August 2000 when my brother tragically died, at which time I “came out” as a Dees supporter. One of my brothers to this day doesn’t talk to me because of this. With hindsight I guess it was a bit insensitive that I adorned my house in red and blue leading up to the 2000 GF.  I came home one day and he’d left a note on my (red and blue) front door which said something to the effect of “His body isn’t even cold yet, and you’ve tarted up your house in those revolting colours like a circus tent.” 

Anyways that might explain why I’m so overtly (and loudly and proudly) passionate and devoted to our Club. The dam walls had burst and I could finally adore them with unbridled passion and now there’s no stopping it. 😁

PS: Told you it was a long story 😉 

PPS: I lied. We went to every H&A match EXCEPT for Windy Hill because feral Ess thugs + small child = potential bodily harm, or worse. 😬 

Edited October 18, 20222 yr by WalkingCivilWar

What a disgraceful subterfuge @WalkingCivilWar!

No doubt you also allowed your poor deceived brother to buy cokes, chips and other treats for his “Carlton supporting” sinister sister. 

13 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

What a disgraceful subterfuge @WalkingCivilWar!

No doubt you also allowed your poor deceived brother to buy cokes, chips and other treats for his “Carlton supporting” sinister sister. 

Hey! It wasn’t easy. I had to keep a lid on it when Brian Wilson won the friggin Brownlow. And imagine how hard it was when Jimmy arrived! Also, my “poor deceived” brother took me to all the pubs in North Melb after matches at Arden Street to sell newspapers since he got loads more tips with a freckle faced lil sister in tow!

Edit: he used to make me sing for all the old drunks to get even bigger tips. Many years later I said to him, “I can’t believe you pimped me out as a 7yo.” He said, “Never once heard you complain as you shoved your weight’s worth of Eskimo Pies into your face!” 😂

Edited October 18, 20222 yr by WalkingCivilWar

My User Name emerged from the ZZ TOP song I was listening to when I first signed up.  Was living OS at the time.  I thought it described what it was like to be a Dees tragic…You think each year you are in the emperors new clothes, only to find you are left Buck Nekkid come September….

I had a post drafted about people with similar profile pics and how I subconciously merge them into the one identity. Then I realised I still have a stupid Christmas hat as my profile picture which I set around Xmas time in circa 2010ish and never bothered changing back 😅

Wow, @WalkingCivilWar, it'll be hard for any other tragics to top that.

Not stalking for your age, though it might seem like that, but how long were you in the turmoil of that closet for, for goodness sake?

And, lie down on this couch and dredge your memory a bit more as to why you dived in to the Dees, to then have to swim so strongly against a blue tide!

 

(#mixedmetaphorsrocknruin)

16 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Wow, @WalkingCivilWar, it'll be hard for any other tragics to top that.

Not stalking for your age, though it might seem like that, but how long were you in the turmoil of that closet for, for goodness sake?

And, lie down on this couch and dredge your memory a bit more as to why you dived in to the Dees, to then have to swim so strongly against a blue tide!

 

(#mixedmetaphorsrocknruin)

I spent more than 20 years in that closet. I was minus 25 years old when I entered it. 😉 

As for why the Dees… I have no idea. It wasn’t the colours, I actually liked the navy and white. Nor was it the players, at the time I barely knew the Carlton players as it was. It wasn’t because of Melbourne’s success since there wasn’t any at the time. 😑 All I know is my devotion to the Dees never waned. It would’ve been infinitely easier had I gone for the Blues, but the heart wants what the heart wants. ❤️💙

6 hours ago, Jontee said:

It is with a mixture of despondency and embarrasment that I have to confess that my username is my first name and the initial of my second.

I was going to use Nowcmonthemightydemons but at my age it is best to use something I can effn remember.  And luckily I still remember my name.

(Pres. Reagan visiting a nursing home goes up to one of the residents and says 'Do you know who I am?'.  The resident replies 'No, but if you go to reception they will be able to tell you'.)

Classic!!!

3 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I’ve told this story here before but that doesn’t stop me from telling it again, amirite?!  Heads up, it’s a long one. 

 I chose the Dees as a 7yo within months of emigrating to Australia. And that was as one of eight siblings, the other seven of whom had adopted Carlton, the team for them to the death  (and still is).

The first time I saw Melbourne play was vs. Carlton, of course, and I don’t quite know why but I was instantly drawn to this team. They caught my eye, and before long, my heart. But I didn’t tell a soul. I especially couldn’t tell my brothers, in particular my eldest brother with whom I was extremely close. I knew it would break his old dark navy blue heart to discover that my heart was beating true for the red and the blue. So for a couple of decades I masqueraded as a Blues devotee. I only got to watch the Dees twice a year when they (we?) played the Blues. 

My older brothers took me to every single Carlton H&A match, countless finals and three grand finals (all Carlton). I wore a duffel coat with Bruce (11) Doull, I had Carlton posters on my bedroom wall, I went to training and met the players, all those things a proper diehard does.

This continued until August 2000 when my brother tragically died, at which time I “came out” as a Dees supporter. One of my brothers to this day doesn’t talk to me because of this. With hindsight I guess it was a bit insensitive that I adorned my house in red and blue leading up to the 2000 GF.  I came home one day and he’d left a note on my (red and blue) front door which said something to the effect of “His body isn’t even cold yet, and you’ve tarted up your house in those revolting colours like a circus tent.” 

Anyways that might explain why I’m so overtly (and loudly and proudly) passionate and devoted to our Club. The dam walls had burst and I could finally adore them with unbridled passion and now there’s no stopping it. 😁

PS: Told you it was a long story 😉 

PPS: I lied. We went to every H&A match EXCEPT for Windy Hill because feral Ess thugs + small child = potential bodily harm, or worse. 😬 

F$&@ Me

Just try and imagine covering your Bedroom Walls with Carlscum posters and wearing a Duffle Coat to Princess Park every 2nd week

I would prefer Death to that Scenario (I say this in all seriousness)

I liked the character from the old tv show, the Waltons, however it was revealed to me only recently that the name was John Boy🤦‍♂️

11 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

F$&@ Me

Just try and imagine covering your Bedroom Walls with Carlscum posters and wearing a Duffle Coat to Princess Park every 2nd week

I would prefer Death to that Scenario (I say this in all seriousness)

It could’ve been worse: it could’ve been Essendon. I don’t think I could’ve pulled it off. Wearing an Essendon 🤮 duffel coat to Windy 🤮 Hill every second week and having their players 🤮 adorning my bedroom walls. 🤮🤮🤮. Yeah nah, Soz older bro, I’m a Dees supporter! 

9 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

It could’ve been worse: it could’ve been Essendon. I don’t think I could’ve pulled it off. Wearing an Essendon 🤮 duffel coat to Windy 🤮 Hill every second week and having their players 🤮 adorning my bedroom walls. 🤮🤮🤮. Yeah nah, Soz older bro, I’m a Dees supporter! 

Essendrug, Carlscum or The Filth are all the same Garbage to me

Personally I would have got a Melbourne Jumper after that first game and worn it Proudly. 
I haven’t eaten in Lygon St. for over 30 years. I hate ‘em that much 

19 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Essendrug, Carlscum or The Filth are all the same Garbage to me

Personally I would have got a Melbourne Jumper after that first game and worn it Proudly. 
I haven’t eaten in Lygon St. for over 30 years. I hate ‘em that much 

I was seven years old. I couldn’t even tie my own shoelaces, let alone go to a shop to purchase a footy jumper!

Besides, I never could paint Carlton with the same brush as Coll or Ess. Different degree of repugnance right there.

BTW, you’re missing out on kickarse  Italian cuisine by giving Lygon Street a wide berth. 😁

2 hours ago, joeboy said:

I liked the character from the old tv show, the Waltons, however it was revealed to me only recently that the name was John Boy🤦‍♂️

Good night joeboy

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I was seven years old. I couldn’t even tie my own shoelaces, let alone go to a shop to purchase a footy jumper!

Besides, I never could paint Carlton with the same brush as Coll or Ess. Different degree of repugnance right there.

BTW, you’re missing out on kickarse  Italian cuisine by giving Lygon Street a wide berth. 😁

Many places to find good Italian Foods WCW 

7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Many places to find good Italian Foods WCW 

Even in Bangkok !!!!

2 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Essendrug, Carlscum or The Filth are all the same Garbage to me

Personally I would have got a Melbourne Jumper after that first game and worn it Proudly. 
I haven’t eaten in Lygon St. for over 30 years. I hate ‘em that much 

I haven't eaten in Lygon Street for 40 years SWYL - but only because i packed my bags and moved to Sydney. I will also admit to supporting Carlton at the 1970 grand final over the Pies. Bravest thing i ever did - supported the blues while seated behind the goals amongst the Collingwood cheer squad. Got braver and braver after half time.

2 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

I haven't eaten in Lygon Street for 40 years SWYL - but only because i packed my bags and moved to Sydney. I will also admit to supporting Carlton at the 1970 grand final over the Pies. Bravest thing i ever did - supported the blues while seated behind the goals amongst the Collingwood cheer squad. Got braver and braver after half time.

First game i went to was the 1970 GF
Still remember it well

8 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

My older brothers took me to every single Carlton H&A match, countless finals and three grand finals (all Carlton). I wore a duffel coat with Bruce (11) Doull, I had Carlton posters on my bedroom wall, I went to training and met the players, all those things a proper diehard does.

Your duffel coat said Bruce (11) Doull, your heart said Greg (11) Wells

Oh wait

Under 17s

I once kicked 12.1 against a bean-pole I felt sorry for. Can’t remember anything except for the .1 About 20m out straight in front and fluffed it.

I also remember once collecting and bombing from about 40m tight on the right forward flank and it was touched on the line apparently. BS.

Twice I messed up in the goal-square. One of those, I was at the top of the square, and my teammate was on the line, with a defender in-between. Complete [censored]-up.

The other time, I dodged a player one-on-one in the pocket and then kicked it into the post from a metre out on a slight, manageable angle.

I also once marked on the defensive goal-line with a minute or so to go, a point down on a windy day, and just bombed it long. Floated out of bounds on the full.

The question: do other people experience past sporting life like this? I can’t remember a single heroic moment (I polled well), just all the things I messed up.

8 minutes ago, skort said:

Under 17s

I once kicked 12.1 against a bean-pole I felt sorry for. Can’t remember anything except for the .1 About 20m out straight in front and fluffed it.

I also remember once collecting and bombing from about 40m tight on the right forward flank and it was touched on the line apparently. BS.

Twice I messed up in the goal-square. One of those, I was at the top of the square, and my teammate was on the line, with a defender in-between. Complete [censored]-up.

The other time, I dodged a player one-on-one in the pocket and then kicked it into the post from a metre out on a slight, manageable angle.

I also once marked on the defensive goal-line with a minute or so to go, a point down on a windy day, and just bombed it long. Floated out of bounds on the full.

The question: do other people experience past sporting life like this? I can’t remember a single heroic moment (I polled well), just all the things I messed up.

I'm getting to that half-blissful stage where I can't remember what day it is, let alone bringing my wallet to the supermarket to buy dog food, and, just  maybe, a bottle or two of Jacobs Creek. As they say, ignorance of what my partner was barking at is bliss.

11 minutes ago, skort said:

Under 17s

I once kicked 12.1 against a bean-pole I felt sorry for. Can’t remember anything except for the .1 About 20m out straight in front and fluffed it.

I also remember once collecting and bombing from about 40m tight on the right forward flank and it was touched on the line apparently. BS.

Twice I messed up in the goal-square. One of those, I was at the top of the square, and my teammate was on the line, with a defender in-between. Complete [censored]-up.

The other time, I dodged a player one-on-one in the pocket and then kicked it into the post from a metre out on a slight, manageable angle.

I also once marked on the defensive goal-line with a minute or so to go, a point down on a windy day, and just bombed it long. Floated out of bounds on the full.

The question: do other people experience past sporting life like this? I can’t remember a single heroic moment (I polled well), just all the things I messed up.

Though, I can recall kicking 2 goals in a final against West Footscray in 1965, when my direct opponent was Laurie Sandilands. I also remember returning the figures of 6 for 18 off 8 overs, after getting 2 for 11 off the first 2 overs. I won the bowling average that year, after winning the All-rounder award the year before .Ah, the good ole days when I could still run and imagine the Demons would reign forever. 

16 minutes ago, skort said:

I can’t remember a single heroic moment, just all the things I messed up.

My first kick in Under 12s went through for a behind ... for the opposition.

A loose ball luckily bounced my way in the back pocket, I grabbed it and kicked it and it grubbed off the side of my boot and rolled through the other team's goal.

Things went downhill after that.  I've always maintained that I could have played VFL but that my career was cruelly cut short by a tragic lack of talent and courage.

19 minutes ago, Monbon said:

I'm getting to that half-blissful stage where I can't remember what day it is, let alone bringing my wallet to the supermarket to buy dog food, and, just  maybe, a bottle or two of Jacobs Creek. As they say, ignorance of what my partner was barking at is bliss.

I modelled my game on Matthew Robran. Still making bad life choices.