hemingway

But guys it’s footy. It’s full of emotion, opinions and nonsense. Normally rational people, become intoxicated with the whole thing and quickly move between Jekyll and Hyde. It’s crazy but that’s footy and that’s people. We all have a bit of white line fever. I’m a quiet reflective guy but I was a raving lunatic on Sunday.

Thought he was better without Max, being able to run freely around the ground. He runs and links up so beautifully and looked free like a horse happily galloping in a paddock.

Central and North Central meaning country Vic

Supporters are scattered all over the place. The old days of class distinction linked to geography, industry and residence have long gone. When I worked in the West I was surprised how few Doggies supporters there were. It seemed that Locals were more likely to follow Pies and Bombers. As you say the Cats are the exception with its inbred following. Interstate clubs another case in point. Dees supporters tend to congregate in the leafy suburbs SE and East. In central and north central, Tigers and Bombers proliferate but there are still plenty of grey haired Demons.

Hibbo was limping badly at the end of the game. If it’s Achilles, no way given his age and slow nature of Achilles recovery.

Great info mate. As previously mentioned, Chandlers form says a lot for his development and the wisdom of holding him back. It also says a lot for Chandler, a boy from South Aus who could have become impatient waiting for an opportunity in this star studded team. Says a lot for his loyalty, commitment and understanding of his development path. He could have easily put out the feelers to the SA clubs but there was a complete absence of speculation. He clearly wanted to stay with the Dees and the coaches clearly wanted to keep him. Now we see why. Love his story of perseverance and hard work. And loyalty.

The Sun also Rises. It did on Sunday both the weather and my mood.

For Whom The Bell Tolls OD. Well not until another flag.

And to think that I almost passed on going to the game. A bad case of MFCSS and a very low mood all week. Encouraged to go by son and wife who both predicted a win. What got me over the line was when my son said, “Dad imagine how bad you will feel after they win”. When I walked into the ground, saw the colours and the expectant excited Dees supporters I felt good and my cyclonic depression lifted. It was as if the Dees fans willed that win. And let’s face it, the boys looked pumped. They had come to win and not just compete. By quarter time I knew I had made the right decision and thanked wife and son. And learnt a lesson in having a positive attitude. Despite all the TV coverage and commentary, there is nothing like being at the game and absorbing all the raw emotion and excitement. We were up and about and the Dees fans noise and fist pumping incredible. And for 120 minutes we forgot our own worries and the worries of the world. The sun was shining on our beloved Demons.

Too rational SPC. Viney is heart and soul.

What an excitement machine. Looks ready made for AFL footy. For some reason he reminds me of a young Garry Lyon.

Most excited I have been since 2021 GF.

Chandlers commitment to the contest, endeavour and enthusiasm is outstanding. Has arrived.

Totally agree.

Exactly

Makes sense but there are many variables. Despite better player management there are still many players playing with injuries including chronic injuries. There is a lot of pressure on players to stay on the field or come back from injury before full healing. Players have contracts to think about and coaches want the best available team each game and this involves risk. There are players like Pendlebury that due to game style, weight, body build etc have greater longevity than others. Michael Tuck came from a different era but had a record breaking games total. In the past many players retired from footy due jobs and/or for financial reasons. Not the case today for those who make it. There is a huge financial incentive to keep playing with or without injury. Todays footy is played on harder grounds, with greater speed and ball movement, greater emphasis on tackling and competitiveness. Game style include greater emphasis on using the ball and tackling on angles. The other thing that is overlooked is that players start playing the game much younger. Drafting etc means that training and playing starts early. No longer do kids play school footy or local footy in a more relaxed way. As a result injuries start occurring at a younger age. Isaac Smith is 34,or 35 but played country footy before being drafted at 22.

Perfect Boomer

No Adam, no bandwagon jumpers. Let them suffer.

That’s encouraging ElDiablo.

That’s me.

It’s the medication.

Jack Watts is a distant memory. A memory that does not attach any emotion or feeling. Pure detachment. That must be good. And Luke Jackson evokes the same sentiments.

Sustained success brings with it expectation and arrogance. And I hate nasty supporters, you know, the group of ugly blokes who take pleasure in abuse and insults when the team is getting belted. All clubs have them, but whose worst ? It depends on personal experience. I have vivid and upsetting memories of the abuse suffered at Waverley after the Stynes/Buckenara episode. On another level I hated the arrogance of Jeff Kennett and his criticism and gratuitous advice to other clubs. Generally, I have found most Hawks fans pretty meek and mild. The more vicious were Bomber supporters, Collingwood and Blues supporters. And I must admit to some nasty run-ins with Crows supporters, the closest I have come to inflicting or receiving physical harm. The Cats are not vicious but they have fallen into the arrogance camp. So my attitude is to enjoy winning but remain humble. Enjoy the success but remember that failure is always lurking in the shadows. Be loud and proud when we are winning but never, arrogant, mean or insulting. Because the Mums and the Kids deserve better.

Good stuff Macca. I just think it’s important for committed supporters to fully appreciate present times and not to get too far ahead of ourselves.

To fully appreciate the place the MFC currently finds itself, you need to never forget the dark days. A bit like the War. With the MFC remember how much time and effort has been spent resurrecting the club and breathing fresh life into a near corpse like body. The pride in our performance has taken years to grow. It needs to be nurtured and sustained so that the shadow of failure is extinguished but never forgotten.