The (fanfare) Life

Footy fans can cop a lot of flack from time to time. The days of torture from rival supporters when your team loses are just enough to make you want to give up sometimes. Then there are times when your team is loitering on the bottom of the ladder, losing every game and not having any luck with injuries, the tribunal or the umpires. It’s just enough to make you want to pull your hair out! Well, for the more passionate fan anyway.
I happen to be one of them. A fan that just has to turn up to every game no matter how good or bad the team is going, one who has to catch up with all the team news through the paper and internet everyday, one who just has to have a say in any conversation that arises about their favourite team. A dedicated fan who has to go to training at least once every holiday (even in the off-season) and who even has to follow their favourite team around the country during the season.
I have been to Victoria four times this year to see my team play, most of the time it was enjoyable, except for the one game we lost. We went into the game as hot favourites; nobody gave the other team a chance to take home the four points. Unfortunately for my dad and I, who had travelled over especially for the game, it was going to be a long trip home. We were beaten by just 3 points in an ugly game to watch.
The game wasn’t the only ugly thing at the ground that day, the opposition supporters were a nightmare and had the nerve to tell us to go back to where we came from. To make matters worse we were stuck in a state that was very anti-South Australian and were only leaving the next morning. I couldn’t wait to get home!
However, being a footy fan isn’t all doom and gloom. There are plenty of spectacular moments that make your passion for the game continue. Who couldn’t love the big screamers, the mind blowing goals, the brilliant tackles and that last Saturday in September?
This year has been a particularly great year for my team. They’re sitting a game clear on top of the ladder with a very healthy percentage and have only suffered three loses so far this season, so generally this season has been great.
As I mentioned before, being a full time footy fan can be hard at times. But no matter how poorly your team is playing or how brilliantly they’re playing, there is nothing more than any footy fan loves than dressing up in their team’s colours on a cold, cloudy Saturday afternoon and heading down to the city’s major stadium, or even a local ground, to watch ‘their boys’ battle it out for the four points and ultimately for the right to play on that glorious, last Saturday in September.

By Anne F