Media A Message To You Rookie

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An Introduction
  • Picture this.

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    You’re sitting in front of a screen, reading comments from people you barely know on an online discussion about a virtual football competition you recently signed up to whilst drunk. Admittedly it wasn’t the worst decision you made that night, as you ruefully gaze at the tattoo on your forearm of Bart Simpson on a skateboard telling you not to “have a cow, man”. Turning back to the screen, you see they’re engaged in some insular conversation you know very little about. In-jokes are flying thick and fast, there are some unknown acronyms being mentioned, and way too many words that begin with the letter Q used. You recognise many of the other words, but not together in the same sentences.

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    As you scratch your head in confusion, suddenly there’s a blinding flash! Once your eyes recover from the searing light, you notice a figure standing next to you. They look remarkably familiar, yet completely alien. They’re wearing loose-fitting protective clothing, their hair is all over the shop, they haven’t seen sunlight for a long time. The smell is a mixture of latex, coffee, disinfectant, not-quite-baked sourdough, and loneliness. Ska music plays in the background as the figure greets you with a voice that’s instantly recognisable… it’s your voice!

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    “G’day rook” he says.

    You start to mumble a reply, but he cuts you off before you can ask who he is. “I’m Future You, ya flog. Now shut your pie hole ‘cause I don’t have all day. I’ve been in self isolation for months now and I need to get out to the pub. Any pub, I don’t f**ken care anymore”. So I get dressed and take him to the local pub, the Shitposter's Arms.

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    After downing the first of many pints, complaining of having ‘hollow legs’ and emitting a belch so loud it stops traffic outside, Future You turns to you and starts talking. “So you’ve joined the SFA have ya rook? How are ya going? Killin’ it yet?” You tell him that you don’t understand how it works, you don’t know who is who, everybody is in on some secret except for you, and someone called you ‘campaignery’ for no reason whatsoever. It’s all a bit hard, you tell Future You.

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    Future You leans in close, the smell of strong ale fresh on his breath. “Righto son. Time to serve the cement, harden you up and set you straight. You wanna know about the SFA? How she works?” He has a weird glint in his eye and some distinct Captain Ahab vibes as he starts with a fervent whisper. “You wanna tame her, do ya boy?” Before I can say "no not really" he leans back and says “Well strap yourself in you beautiful sack of harvestable organs as I give you some advice on what to expect in your SFA career”.

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    Crazy picture, huh?

    Welcome everybody to my sophomore media thread, which I like to call:

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    This is a continuation of the theme which began with my previous thread ‘Trust The Process – A Rookie’s Guide For What To Expect When Joining The SFA’. Figuring out how this beautifully bizarre world of the Sweet FA works is something that everybody must grapple with at some point, and with the potential of up to two new teams being admitted next season this theme is more pertinent than ever.

    One of the great things of the Sweet FA is the rich history that it has built up over 29 seasons. Worlds have been created, folklore has been passed down from player to player, dialects have been developed over time. The work that’s been put in by Mobbs and co over the journey is some elite Tolkienian areas! A lot of people have been a part of this World, so rather than me telling you (again) how to suck eggs, I’ve extended the invitation out to the SFA community asking them to suck their own eggs.

    So here’s the premise of this thread. Inspired by the AFLPA’s ‘Letters To My Younger Self’ series of articles, notable people from the SFA both past and present have reached back in time to their rookie season and sent a message to their younger selves, giving them some advice on what to expect over the course of their Qooty careers. It may be something to do better, something (or someone) to avoid, a post they wish they’d sent but didn’t, a post they wish they didn’t send but did, anything at all. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive, both honest and humorous, both succinct and verbose. People have embraced the concept and made it their own. And the number of responses has meant that instead of a couple of posts, I have enough to have a separate post for every team plus a couple of extra ‘special’ posts thrown in at the end.

    “What should I expect from the advice that I’m giving myself?” I hear you ask yourself. As a teaser, please enjoy a sample answer from an anonymous poster:

    I suppose a few things I would tell myself is:

    Just because you are smarter than 90% of the population, doesn’t mean you can go around telling everyone that.
    You don’t need to respond if you don’t want to.
    Ant Bear is a good bloke.
    Gumbies aren’t broken prophylactics.
    Wonders don’t wonder much, if at all.
    Roys are old. Like s**t ya nappy, dribbling tomato soup whilst watching Matlock old.
    Furies aren’t a bad bunch. Quite the opposite.
    There are many alts floating around on this board, be careful who you PM.
    Don’t send nudes to strangers on a footy forum.
    The only person as weird as you is a Rat.
    Not all Richmond supporters are flogs.
    Not all Adelaide supporters are flogs
    .


    To those who have provided advice so far, you have humbled me with your generosity. I hope to do justice to your words. If providing advice to your rookie self is something you would like to do, please PM me and I can include it in this thread which will be handed down over the seasons to serve not only as a reference guide for those looking to join the SFA, but a time capsule reflecting the echoes of the past and the thoughts of the present.

    Stay tuned as over the next couple of weeks I’ll be running through the advice provided by members of each SFA team to their rookie selves, and perhaps in some cases providing some commentary in an effort to provide insights on what characteristics to look for when choosing a team. Many of you may not be ready for those insights yet.

    But your kids are gonna love it.

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    Baghdad Bombers part 1
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    • #91
    I started my journey of discovery by deciding to go to Baghdad and ask the Bombers what they would say to their rookie selves. I enlisted my old eccentric friend Doc to help with the preparations, but the campaigner wanted to play with his stupid bloody drone instead.

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    This was actually a cunning plan from Doc, because the Babylonians love cheap trinkets and gadgets and the drone actually enticed them to come to us! Unfortunately for Doc however the plan literally backfired on him, as an unnamed Baghdadi shot Doc and took his drone.

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    As I said goodbye to the lifeless body of Doc, the chief Babylonian gestured for me to come with them and they would be more than happy to tell me what they would tell themselves. Before too long we were sitting in their big-arsed lounge room; 7000-year-old Farqari rugs as far as the eye can see.

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    After exchanging pleasantries & a dank shisha pipe, we got to business. I asked the Babylonians to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    Get yourselves comfortable, this may take a while.

    The tribal leader WaynesWorld19 was the first to speak. With so much knowledge his head was literally transparent, I was looking forward to what he would say…

    “WW do more research, don't be a dumbarse and join without knowing how the place manoeuvres ....don't join a struggling club, you need the support of experienced players around you.
    If SSwans2011 tries to bait you, realize it's a game ....and don't take anything to heart”


    Nodding appreciatively, I turn to Tony Lynn 15. Squatting in what seems like an impossibly uncomfortable manner, he begins to speak…

    “Dear Tony Lynn 15

    You are a handsome, lovable beast of a man that most women would love to disassemble piece by piece. Cover you in honey, roll you in coconut and… actually I sense this is not the letter to my younger self this thread is about.

    So I burst onto the SFA scene in season 23. A young raw talented rookie with the world at his feet. What advice would I give myself knowing now what I did not know then.

    Firstly it would be to not take it too seriously. This is just a place for fun, some will post a lot, some will post very little. Some will be genuinely nice people, some will attack you and fight dirty. No matter what, never take it personally. Most of the people on here would be a lot of fun to have a beer with in real life, especially miggs if he ever showed up for one.


    This place is not perfect and never will be. There will be posters that love you and many who hate you. Once again don't take it personally and understand that this reflects real life. Put yourself in a room with 10 people and most likely you will connect pretty quickly with 3, the next 3 you will like but never be overly close with and the last 3 you will never be close with at all. The final person is probably touching themselves inappropriately and will not doubt be arrested and charged. Sometimes people just don't like the cut of your jib and that is okay.

    Know when enough is enough for some posters. You never know what is going on in posters real lives so be as respectful as possible and if you feel they are not reacting well to a topic it is better to back off and leave it be. This is just an escape so know when to stop.

    Be bold and brave and not afraid to post a media piece if you feel it is right. It doesn't matter if it is successful or flops. Have the courage to stick your neck out and have a crack.

    Finally if you can help any poster on this board do it. Much of the behind the scenes PM's are just as relevant as the on board stuff. If you feel someone is struggling reach out and say g'day. Be selfless not selfish. So many times it can actually make someone’s day.

    Your sincerely,


    Tony Lynn 15”

    Picking up my lower jaw, I now turn to WFL. Waiting patiently for him to stop licking his balls, he begins to reminisce…

    “I remember entering the SFA in Season 21 and being astounded at all the offers I received to join each one of the clubs.
    I wished I wasn't so abrasive when posting back then but it seemed to suit the team narrative at the time but looking back I wish I had posted more Star Wars spoilers.
    Season 21 wasn't successful for Baghdad but I wished I had sent the love letters to KohPhi that I drafted as I left at the start of the season to join the Dragons and missed half the season as Baghdad couldn't compensate them and then in Season 27 I was reunited with the love of my life, KohPhi.
    I enjoyed the adulation of winning a best and fairest in my first season but my advice to rookies as I have seen many come and go in the past 8 seasons, just post whatever you feel and think (I struggle with this most of the time), laugh at yourself as well as others and when it becomes too much just walk away, gather your bearings and come back refreshed.
    Confrontation is something that I have always tried to avoid but seems to find me but I'm always true to myself and my team and I don't have any regrets at all since I've joined the league.

    So I'd say to my rookie self, just enjoy the league for what it is a fantasy football competition and that’s all it is a fantasy not the be all, end all. It’s all fun and should be taken as such.”

    I thank WFL for his input as he returns to his ‘grooming’.

    Next in line is Norma Lee Ava. At least I think it’s Norma Lee, the voice was coming from behind a grill of some sort…

    “I would probably have researched all of the machinations that make up ‘A season in the SFA’. What makes it tick?

    I’d probably have avoided changing my Username at all to build some notoriety. I think I’ve had 4 annual name changes since being here across a bunch of seasons and I’ve done it to maintain a bit of anonymity with the Mods... but it certainly hasn’t helped; particularly with one glass jaw.”

    Riviat is one of the younger Baghdadis of the group, and is playfully batting a ball of yarn when I approach him for his advice to his kitten self…

    “If I were to go back in time I've just realised that there's not a whole lot I'd tell myself. I started off slow in the first 8 or so match threads then picked up a bit after that. Pretty happy with where I was at posting wise so I'd say just take it one match thread at a time.

    Maybe I should tell myself to have a dabble in the wide world of media threads but those are a different kettle of fish and it's either sink or swim. Hell, if someone could do a running diary of their season, any content is acceptable.

    Beware of that damn Werewolf game in the club room. It's addictive and can bring out the worst in you. Lies, deception and drama, it's part and parcel of Sweet in general, but WW encourages you to do it even more. I should tell myself to not take it too seriously.”

    I next approach KohPhi who, for some reason, pulls out a ye olde typewriter and starts typing…

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    “Hi S.21 KohPhi.

    This is you, S.29 KohPhi.

    Hey kid! How are you? I hope you're understanding things in the SFA well enough at this early stage of your Qootball career, because trust me, it only gets weirder as you go -- it's totally worth it all in the end though. Upcoming Premierships, adulation of the masses and Yemeni whores at your doorstep (seriously, the homeless wenches sleep there every night since Daddy cut off the electricity to the Elizabeth end of Baghdad).

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    I'm not an SFA expert by any means, but I feel like some things need to be said here. First of all, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone nice and early. If you don't, you'll sit on the fence for years, being as boring as bat s**t (speaking of bats, do yourself a favour and stop eating the f***ers now,) until one day you wake up and change your name to AceAndy.


    Let me tell you that the best thing that I ever did is step out of my comfort zone early doors. I broke into beez's cupboard and stole his stash of Breezers on my second night at the Club and short sheated Itsmyshow's bed. The fellow rookie you are sharing a cell at Abdu Prison with, WFL. You guys will have some crazy, wacky times in your first season…

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    Don't let him join the Dragons.


    At the end of your first or second season, just about every club will demand your services. Your mind will be as busy as a Boys Club chat. Seriously, you will change your mind 197,000 times over that 12 month period wondering if you want to stay at the Bombers or go elsewhere. Trust me, stay with Baghdad.

    What? Who are the Boys Club you ask?

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    Oh my young Padawan, some things are better off being a surprise. You'll see through the bluff and bluster pretty quickly, and along with future superstars Tony Lynn 15 and TheCoach16, will be a thorn in their side for many seasons. Glorious battles await.


    I know what you are thinking, the Bombers in S.21 are a rabble. Yes, you may be stone motherless last right now with a future that seems as desolate as a thought in NaturalDisaster head, but stay the Bomber cause you hot hunk of spunk. Team and individual glory awaits.

    Just on the individual stuff, you'll be runner up in the beez Medal one season to a poster who will one day, be banned for posting two bears *******, and I'm not talking the animal type.
    When you become skipper in S.24, push hard in the Committee for banned posters to be stripped of all awards and next placeholders to be moved up a spot.
    "Why would they listen to me?" I hear you ask. My answer to that is just wait until you talk yourself out of numerous shenanigans to keep a Premiership. Trust me, you won't have earned the name 'Teflon KohPhi' for nothing.


    Finally, a couple of key points my friend..

    When TheCoach16 says he wants to join the Wonders, trust me... say YES!

    When HaroLad asks you if he should post Star Wars spoilers, don't say 'why not mate, what's the worst that can happen'.
    Re-think the chicken video.. actually don't, it's a cracker.
    Break the expansion Westgate Trolls expansion bid story. You will cop some flak initially, but be vindicated later when the League realises what a s**t list you saved them from having to banter with.
    Elton Johns Wig will beg to join the Bombers in S.26. Don't do it, he's a flog.
    For the love of God, don't send CazC30 dick picks.
    And lastly, you will have an opportunity to recruit a brash young rookie called WaynesWorld19 from the Dragons. Do it, he will be the greatest leader of men and woman the SFA has ever seen.


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    That's all of the sage wisdom that I can really pass on to you, young KohPhi. Just always remember, this place is like a big game of cops and robbers. Good guys, bad guys, fall guys, teaser ponies, bit part players and walk on extras. Pick a part, play it well, play the persona and not the person and never ever take anything seriously.


    Oh.. and lose the Vince Colisomo perm real quick.

    Love

    S.29 KohPhi”


    Where the hell did the projector come from?
     
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    Baghdad Bombers part 2
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    • #92
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    INTERMISSION

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    [EDITOR'S NOTE: don't try to post anything in here that's too long. I bet Dostoevski didn't have to put up with this bullshit]

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    I now turn to cadsky, who seems irritated that all of the words in the World have already been said. Their advice to their younger self is succinct in response…

    “If I was going to tell myself something it would be don't get caught up in personas. There's a lot of great people behind the s**t posts. And also don't believe everyone is who they say they are.”

    Requiem is next to provide advice to his younger self and, despite performing a hearty jig on the way over, comes through with some real talk…

    “I was a Rookie in S28, but barely posted due to IRL issues that had taken precedence, so in a sense this is my rookie year.

    If there was something I could tell my 'rookie self', it would be to engage with your teammates more, I've found that many of them have gone through similar things, and are more than willing to talk and support you through the hard times.”

    CALL ME SNAKE is next, and as my legs begin to lose feeling he takes the projector from @KohPhi…

    “A letter to the Rookie CALL ME SNAKE from CALL ME SNAKE.

    Hi Snake its me ......errr actually its you, errr us.
    Sorry I'm not too good at this space time continuum thing.
    So what advice could I give a good looking, funny , muscular rookie like yourself.
    Well for starters mate don’t give yourself a user name which is just a throw away line from a movie that you were watching when you signed up to BigFooty. Because even though your name isn't Snake and you've never been called Snake even once in your entire life. Thanks to that user name everyone will now call you bloody Snake for ever more.
    Also mate don’t start off nice and polite in the SFA. Be yourself and post as much smut and sexual innuendo gifs on your first day in the SFA as humanly possible. Why fight fate.

    Here's some you might be able to use over your SFA journey.

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    Basically your time at the Roys is gonna be like Sheena Eastern before she got shagged by Prince.

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    Then when you get to the Bombers you turn into the post Prince shagged sex crazed Sheena.

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    It’s like the young Snake is actually Sheena and KohPhi is Prince.

    Young Snake brace yourself cos KohPhi is going to do unspeakable things to you.
    The only other advice I have for you young Snake is FFS learn how to spell or use auto correct cos the Grammar Nazis are gonna come for you in a big way.

    Until we meet again in a scene like when the past Marty McFly sees the future Marty McFly I wish you all the best for your, my, our future.”

    Throwing a cold drink over my face, I notice two elderly Babylonians in the corner. Thinking that if anybody has advice over an extended SFA career, it would be these two wizened folks. The first one, TheCoach16, makes an involuntary grunting noise as he begins to speak…

    “Dear Coach,
    If you want to know how to approach this crazy, mixed up, fantasy football league, all you need do is look down at your plate next time you’re having breakfast. The answer is right there in your bacon and eggs!
    The chicken participates in the breakfast, but the pig...
    The pig commits!
    Don’t be happy with just participating. Don’t be happy being a chicken.
    Commit! BE A PIG!
    The Pigs don’t play this game forever. But the chickens never really play it at all. BE A PIG!


    Also. Find the biggest, nastiest, toughest, meanest mother f***er in there, and drop him on the first day! Then no one will fu** with you! Wait. That’s prison. Disregard that. Just BE A PIG!”
     
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    Baghdad Bombers part 3
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    ANOTHER F**KEN INTERMISSION

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    [EDITOR'S OTHER NOTE: again? You sonofabitch]

    Thanking him for his time, I then turn to the last of the two elderly gentlemen. His face has the wrinkles that a long life marks. His hair is wiry, like a grapevine that’s seen one too many summers. His eyes… he has seen some s**t. As he pulls out a moth-eaten scrapbook he introduces himself as Santoz

    “Thanks for the opportunity to contribute to this Tonga Bob. It's nice to see the next generation of Qooty players taking some initiative in the media and this is an especially good idea as it's important for the stalwarts of the league to impart and continue to share the wisdom collected over many many seasons of the SFA.

    Thinking back to when I was a rookie, I'd have to say I was fairly naive in terms how I thought about the game itself. I wore my heart on my sleeve and in challenging times often took a lot to heart, blaming others for their s**t delivery (which was actually true though) rather than taking time to reflect on how I could improve my game and, to use an old cliche, drag everyone else along with me.

    Before I get to what I'm going to share, I feel the advice needs to be put into some sort of perspective. Some context. So for that, we travel all the way back to the halcyon days of the league, back to Season 7 and the birth of the Bigfooty Bombers ...

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    With last season's reigning premiers coming to Windy Hill, we needed to respond and four points was a must or it was season over. Training was gruelling, with the coaching group taking no prisoners. Plenty of pressure-based drills. They knew that we'd been a little soft around the coal face the previous few weeks and needed to improve the competency of the group on the inside. That week I went to the panel and explained to them I was probably 60% fit, but would be right to go, albeit in a limited capacity. That's what you get putting your body on the line first the first 3 weeks of the season, going back with the flight ala Nick Reiwoldt and Johnno Brown with all the determination and courage that anyone that has ever graced the Qooty field could muster.


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    Thursday night was business as usual. I was named on the bench again, although back then many progressive teams were utilising the bench by playing their stronger players off it at the start of the game. Best way to break a tag the coaching panel agreed.

    Come game day, I knew I had to spark the fire in the belly of a few boys that hadn't had the best start to the season. Now wasn't the time for tired and overused cliches. Instead, I dragged the group together just before we ran out and told them that I truly believed that this group, this group that had barely fired a shot so far, could achieve something special. Did I really believe that? Not yet. But I must have sold it pretty well as the team came out breathing fire early doors.

    We kicked about to a 4 or 5 goal lead at the start of the 2nd quarter. But then the Swamprats hit back hard, getting back on even terms midway through the second quarter. The air had gone out of the game. The crowd had gone silent. The coaching panel were beginning to panic, with talks of a loose man behind the footy, to outright flooding the backline.


    I marched up to the coach, grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him to within a few inches of my steel hardened face. "Put me in the ******* middle," I snarled ...

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    I'd done just enough before the break. Keeping us on level terms and then giving us a slight advantage and a little momentum just before the siren blew. This wasn't going to be a cakewalk though, remembering that this was the reigning premiers ...

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    My spirited performance seemed a lone hand, keeping us in it and 'holding the door' against an avalanche of Swamprat effort to curtail me. Eventually they did, being double and triple teamed can make the game tricky and the Swamprats were able to hold the ascendancy by the beginning of the last quarter. All hope seemed lost, but I was having none of it. This wasn't going to be the end of our season. Not this day. No bloody chance so I pulled the group in after the coaches finished their drivel and gave perhaps the most inspirational performances one could bear witness to. Bomber fans walked away with tears streaming down their faces. The committee later commented that it was incredible to see the impact that one indelible speech can have. A genuine line in the sand moment. But it worked ...

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    I'd done it. Not only had I talked the walk, but chest out, chin up, shoulders back, I walked the bloody walk ...


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    It was labelled the game of the year by the neutrals who were there that day. What it actually was, was something much, much more important than that.

    This was the moment the Bomber legacy was forged. A turning point, not only in our season, but in our proud club's history.

    Now I won't say I did it all myself. Heavens no, I did have some help that day, but those stats off 60% game time, some have said is the single greatest performance in Bomber history, considering the importance of the game and what was to follow.

    What did follow was that we won our inaugural flag that year.

    Reflecting back on the foundations that I laid for the Baghdad Bombers and how much success they've had since that fateful day fills me with a great sense of achievement and pride.

    Now, getting back to what you posed of me earlier Tonga Bob, I'd just like to know one thing from you. What was the question again?”


    By the time I had woken up only WFL remained in the room, dragging his arse across the 29000 year-old Farqari rug. I gather my things to leave, and as I do so I contemplate what sort of a team the Bombers are based on their advice to themselves. I note the insane camaraderie, the willingness to look out for each other, the desire to take it up to the rest of the competition. But most of all I note their eagerness to talk. My God they love to talk! If talking was an Olympic event they would win every medal on offer. Or shoot the actual winner and take the medal for themselves. Either way, they get medals for talking.

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    Suddenly a car that’s modified as f**k pulls up. Inside is Doc & some woman he found hitchhiking! I ask Doc how he survived the unnamed Baghdadi gunman, he explains that he was wearing a bulletproof vest and played dead knowing that they would take me to their hideout. Doc says we need to get out of here quickly though, looking wearily into the distance before saying “Sand People are easily startled but they’ll soon back, and in greater numbers”. I ask how we can drive out of Baghdad as the roads are filled with potholes and smouldering vehicles. Doc replies “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!”

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    West Coast Wonders
  • Doc was really gunning that car of his. Sparks were flying out from in front of the bonnet, gadgets on the dashboard were working like the clappers, and before I knew it we’d flown directly into an explosion. I thought that old mate had blown us up, or the Baghdadis had fired a rocket at us.

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    Next thing I know, we’re driving around in the Wild West! Doc explains that this is where the West Coast Wonders are, and that I’ll be able to continue my journey of discovery for rookie advice here. When I questioned him why there isn’t a coast in the Wild West, Doc explained that the West Coast Wonders are called that because they have a tendency to ‘cruise’. He winked at me weirdly and elbowed me in the side, making me extra grateful when the car came to a stop outside of a town called Col Arseyem.

    Doc says we need to be inconspicuous and pulls out some cowboy costumes. I ask where he got them from, he replies by telling me that he killed a man for them and stared blankly into the back of my head for a good 30 seconds.

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    We walk into town and meet the locals. First impressions weren’t great.

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    After giving them my best Dirty Harry impression they soon became a lot more friendly. I guess they must feel lucky!

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    The locals then took me to the main saloon in town, the Ant & Wig, and introduced themselves as the West Coast Wonders.

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    After a few bracing shots of rye whisky, I asked them to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    The first person to step up was the town mayor, a man named Sab22. At first I thought he wasn’t wearing pants, but it tuned out his chaps were just skin-coloured. This is what he had to say…

    “Hello Sab22.

    You're in a for a surprise. You don't realise how much of an escape this platform will provide for you from reality. This place can get heated sometimes, but it's ok. You've teammates who will guide you, and show you the ways around this league. I know you were hesitant about accepting this offer when haydo approached you, you were pretty close to saying no. Your change of mind in the last minute and willingness to try new things as given you the opportunity to become part of West Coast Wonders, allowed you to become a captain of a club and live your dream in a fantasy world. You'll come across so many different personas. You will definitely not always be on the same page as them, and most certainly you won't feel welcomed at times but that's part of it, It's an opportunity for you mingle with different people, different ethnicity and different mindsets. You'll always receive an offer from JWS to join Las Vegas Bears, tease him but say no. Look forward to
    U2tigers getting robbed during ALL-SFA, Ready yourself up to see WaynesWorld19 go from spam lord to SFA's Villain. Posters will question you about how you became a captain, well ask yourself that as well. Always bully Bonz and campaign JT_the_Man for Admin. You won't be the most popular person or the most brilliant poster, your media pieces will go unnoticed so don't bother, just focus on building a team full of stars and watch them flourish. Be thankful for this opportunity and have fun.


    Kindly,
    Future Sab22.”


    The clattering of spurs interrupts my thanking Mayor Sab, as the sheriff strides into the saloon. His name is Dingster. He walks up to me, pushes his flowing hair from out of his eyes, and says in a strong silent manner before striding back out of the saloon:

    “It's a long ride. Bring mints.”

    Sitting next to Mayor Sab is the State Governor, a man named Ant Bear. A man of the people, he follows on from Sherriff Dingster’s thriftiness of word use and provides the following advice…

    “Wear clean underwear and be good to your mother.”

    The next Wonder, a newspaper man named ClarkeM, stands up, clears his throat, pulls out a scroll of paper, and begins orating…

    A letter to my younger self:

    Hello ClarkeM, it's me; it's you. We're in Season 29, you're a four-time premiership player, you're the games record holder at the oldest and most successful SFA club but the world is not as you would imagine.

    There is a pandemic going on and we're forced to stay inside. Orwellian future has arrived, we must keep an eye on who is behind us or otherwise installing privacy breaches onto our phones. Throw your Motorola L7 away, it can bring you no joy here in 2020. The disease is running rampant and we find ourselves clinging on to only one thing, hope. The virus has killed many now and we don't know where to turn to from here.

    We hope we can find a cure for the Bombers but so far, it just has not yet been found.

    Some advice to yourself. Don't take anything seriously. It's a stupid game, the people in here are stupid and it's all meaningless, so if you find that enjoyable then do it in your own way. Be a leader, not a follower.

    The moment you don't find the league fun, step away. It doesn't owe you anything. You don't owe it anything but if you enjoy helping out and you enjoy seeing more people experience the tight-knit little community we have in the SFA/BFFFL then always lend a helping hand.

    Create a character. Be hated for both bad and good reasons. Play a version of yourself, after all it is all meaningless. Be astute. Be vocal. Be ready to hold your shield up in public but in private, connect with others.

    It's all a meaningless game but if you enjoy what you do then no one should ever knock you back for it. And even if they do, then use that as a motive to find more enjoyment. Create discussion, create unity, create divide and create tension but do it all in your character. The walls will fall in one day as life goes on in literal reality but until then, have fun and continue to be who you are.

    As Dylan Buckley says, be yourself, because everyone is taken.

    So I leave you with this. Be loyal. You've left the Demons and joined the Wonders for no good reason other than that you think you're more special than you really are. Stay at the Wonders. You'll be a pioneer for how the game is now played. In a few seasons, your team and the Hawks will become the first two big clubs - you will create a focus on activity - you will also be successful on the field but even more successful on it as all other clubs in the league begin to emulate what you have created with the Hawks and Wonders. You will grow one of the strongest clubs the SFA has ever seen blooding players such as, Crowwy, Marklar, Wise Guy Sam, BallaratBulldog, PVF, DemonJim, ShaunDuggan, Gibbsy, beez, Licorice, Haydo, SSwans, Frothies, Rick18, Mooch, Speck, Grants Guns, Brown Bottle and dozens more. You will be inducted into the Hall of Fame - prematurely however, the honour is still an achievement and you will become a notorious name in the Sweet FA.

    But it all means nothing if you don't enjoy the place so be on a continual search for your enjoyment because it is finite unless you reinvent yourself; unless you try different things while all still being true to yourself and true to your character.

    Support growth in the league, help out other posters and clubs when asked publicy or privately, write media - not because you think it's good, but because it creates something for the league albeit momentarily for their enjoyment as well as yours, maintain traditions - don't let the State of Origin fall wayside, help the admin when needed - it's a thankless job. Hate clubs and players as you please but remember that we're all playing for some fun and it all really means nothing.

    Hush child, from the joy to the pain, it'll all wash away in the rain.

    Your pal,
    ClarkeM


    Elton Johns Wig taps me on the shoulder. What’s weird is that a hairpiece is the most authentic looking person in the saloon. Instead of telling me his advice, he hands me a letter and returns to his poker game. This is what it says…

    “Dear Wig,

    You're about to embark on a fabulous, decorated career in the SFA (that is still not even half done).

    You will have an amazing time. You will experience highs and lows, you will go missing for a while, you will return. You will be trolled, you may even troll a little bit.

    You will make many friends, some you never thought possible. You will make frenemies, and even enemies. This is alright, this is actually GOOD. Banter and conflict are what makes the SFA tick, and you should embrace this.

    Here are some things I want you to think about as you start your journey:

    1. Don't try hard. People can see it. Be you, be yourself. At first you may struggle with the rhythm, and the in jokes, and the fact so many around you know the history and the stories. They will come to you in time. Just find you persona and run with it. Again, don't try hard. Otherwise you'll end up like WaynesWorld19, this is fair warning

    2. Find a mentor. You were bought into this place by people you liked and trusted. Early doors, listen to them, and if you're unsure, ask. Set up a PM. Talk.

    3. It's not real. Seriously, it's not. 99% of the stuff on here is persona. It's people having a laugh. Some of it may seem personal, most of it isn't, it's just banter. Have a crack son!!


    ejw 1.png

    4. Embrace PM's. They can set up a lot of the s**t that goes down around these parts. They can also clear up misunderstandings before they turn into shitfights. You might still disagree with someone, but you can settle a lot of misunderstandings behind closed doors.

    5. Find your home. Some people are one club players, some move around. You will find a place that suits you. Move, you won't regret it.

    6. Enjoy it. You should, you will. Take it as it comes and you will have a roaring good time. You'll look back and laugh at the plots, shenanigans, storylines that make this place great. And you'll be involved in some of them, best.

    If you want to write back and thank yourself, it will be much appreciated,

    Cheers

    Wig"


    Gnawing on a bone in the corner, BallaratBulldog gets up, utensils his leg, and gives his two cents worth…

    "In a season 10 game against the Hawks, we were bantering along but no one had actually submitted the team for the Wonders, usually rick18 or equivalent leader would be right onto it. Approaching the deadline, Mop came in and named it in time. Since I had been in the thread beforehand, I should have identified that myself much earlier. It put Mop into a early leadership group spot. While this exact occurrence is unlikely in the current day, the lesson is clear and can be applied to other things. No matter if your new or not, you can still show initiative for a team or question what’s going on and have a say.

    The most important thing is having fun based on how a person enjoys the league. If you prefer match day threads and don’t care about media as much then that’s fine. Some will act with a persona, others are normal and a few are who think it’s a persona but are just s**t people - don’t take them seriously."


    At this point the conversation was quite literally raining cats and dogs, as Bonz continued with a letter he prepared earlier…

    “Recently I was asked by some flog named Tonga Bob to write a letter to myself from my first season.

    As he was a good sport after his crushing loss to the Wonders I have decided to do him this favour.

    "Dear Bonz (you handsome devil)

    I have some feedback from the future and a little bit of advise.

    1. Yes you did become the greatest player in the SFA in a position, but sadly it was not as a forward pocket (This is due to Dingster playing you out of position), request to be a ruckman in your first year...
    2. If the Wonders refuse to give you a starting ruck position don't be afraid to go to a different club... You are bigger than any club in the SFA act like it and don't just take the first offer that comes along.
    3. Yes
    BRAB really is that annoying.
    4. When
    Bloodied52
    joins the wonders put your feet down early (seriously he gives a great foot massage)
    5. Don't worry about the rising star it's a nothing award, just play immediately in your first (no regrets here).

    Love the best looking person in the SFA

    Bonz"


    I don’t have the heart to tell him that the sim was doing all of the heavy lifting in his ‘crushing loss’, so I turn to JT_the_Man who gives the following advice…

    “I’d probably tell myself to not be inactive through my rookie season. That EKA would’ve looked real nice on the resume.”

    I thank JT for his contribution, scribble some words in my notebook entitled ‘Acceptance Speeches’ and make my way to Bloodied52, the Benjamin Button of the SFA. With an eloquence that both matches his appearance yet belies his age, he provides the following insights…

    “Dear B52,

    Just a 'quick' note to pass on some advice to you. Some bloke called Dingster will PM you one day asking to consider the Sweet FA and playing for some mob called the West Coast Wonders.

    Yes, I know your reaction will be, "WTF! I am a quiet contributor on the Bloods Board, the Cult of Robbo Thread and civil discussions with Snake Baker* about Blakey and Norf's amalgamation prospects."

    Ignore your initial reaction and the secondary paranoid thoughts that enter your old noggin. This is not a trap set by
    Kennedy Parker . This aint no plot by the WC Weasels Board to avenge the one and only post you wrote in 2007.

    Do the right thing, be open minded, have a squizz and if it pans out sign up.

    So you have signed up. Here is a summary of the advice I would offer you:

    1. Engage. With team mates and match threads. Add some fun and enjoy that provided by others.
    2. Find other Rookies and stick like glue. Celebrate their achievements and champion their cause when they suffer injustice - Beandip . Look after ya mates better especially AuntyBlindEye.
    3. Use a sensible voice and persona. You know from long term experience outside BF that "a take no prisoners" approach leaves a joyless one man standing result. Find your schtick B52 and employ it. ClarkeMwill give ya some good advice. If your ears are not painted on, listen to it
    4. Pick your Targets a bit more wisely. Yep, Barrybran will be an obvious target as he runs the S.28 RS but don't underestimate how much work he puts in. Yes, you will find posters like
    TJASTA , Clod, Tony Lynn 15and NaturalDisaster and others fond of saying "pipe down" or "f*** up Rookie" that you can kick around easily enough. But there is no real need to have a crack at strugglers.
    5. Have a crack at inventive media but best not do it with a lot of opiates and Irish Whisky on board.

    Cheers, B 52

    * Where is Snake Baker?”


    bttf band.jpg :cactus:

    All of a sudden music fills the air, as the house band containing Wonders members U2tigers and Cactus_ starts playing. Feet are a-stompin’, hands are a-clappin’, yee haws are a-yee hawin’ and pistols are a-firin’ as the place gets rowdy. It’s hard not to get carried away in the celebrations, it looks like they are used to success and the celebrating that comes with it. After the music stops I walk up to Cactus_ who is still drinking with the piano. He’s talking about the owner of the saloon being a mental midget with the IQ of a fence post, but after recognising me he stops ranting and starts talking in a child-like voice…

    “Oh. Look Lwittle qwute cactus! Can we buy ‘im? Pweese! He’s only $2.50!

    Bargain. Cheap at four times the price. Great buy Wonders! But cacti don’t stay lwittle n cute for ever. They turn into big big ugly prickly bastards that hurt folks.

    Things I’d tell myself if I could speak to me when I was a little succulent:

    1/ Don’t get too attached to any other posters. Posters go an play for the opposition all the time. No one in SFA understand loyalty. Except cacti. We are as loyal as the Mexican day is long.

    2/ The Swamprats are shithouse. But they’re marginally better than all of the other “non-Wonders”. The bombers are the most shizenhauzen, but you’ll probably work that out for yourself week one.

    3/ Don’t be shy. Talk to folks. Smell the roses. The gardener is coming and he’s got a dirty big skip parked out the front.”


    :cactus:

    I finally get to Bono, who’s telling a bunch of groupies about the time when his music was still relevant. I hand him a glass of truth juice, and he obliges with the following…

    “What I would tell myself.

    Don't force my posting and understand every match thread is different. One week you could post 100 odd posts, and enjoy the hell out of yourself, and then the next week you post nowhere near a tonne, but the match thread can just be as enjoyable.

    So basically, just post naturally and try not to force yourself. Also try to keep the thread on topic.”


    He then goes on to say:

    “Don't force my posting and understand every match thread is different. One week you could post 100 odd posts, and enjoy the hell out of yourself, and then the next week you post nowhere near a tonne, but the match thread can just be as enjoyable.

    So basically, just post naturally and try not to force yourself. Also try to keep the thread on topic.”


    It sounds like poor Bono is stuck in a moment, and he can’t get out of it.

    rookie self 15.jpg

    So while maintaining eye contact, I back away slowly out of the saloon and make my way to Doc. He asks me what I learned in my chat with the Wonders. I tell him that they’re an active group who are used to success and love a singalong. Not the most hygienic people in all of Christendom but a good bunch nonetheless. We get back into the DeWhorean and Doc kicks the flux capacitor into gear.

    tbc.gif
     
    Gold City Royals
  • Doc blows the car up again. At least that’s what seems to happen every time he drives, as the sparks fly and the explosion explodes. This time on the other side is a large building called the Bearlagio.

    bearlagio 3.jpg

    Doc tells me that we are in Las Vegas, and there are some Bears that we should see while here. But first we need to find the bloke running the place. They call him the Filth King. He wears a Burger King crown and thinks he’s King Midas, so much so that he’s petitioning to change the name of Las Vegas to Gold City.

    bearlagio 2.jpg

    I leave Doc at the DeWhorean and venture inside the Bearlagio. At the ground floor is Senhor Testiculo’s Pleasure Palace, where I find a group of people playing roulette. I ask them where the Filth King is and they tell me to f**k up and let them finish their game, after which they’ll take me to him.

    royals 2.jpg

    There’s an air of apprehension as we make our way to the penthouse. Doc had told me ruours [EDITOR’S NOTE: did I say it right??] that the Filth King was a highly reclusive character who rarely granted an audience to anybody.

    I walk into the penthouse. It’s dark apart from a flickering light struggling through the gaps in the curtains. There’s a constant dripping sound, punctuated by paper rustling. There’s a big 1970’s Marlon Brando energy pervading the room when suddenly a figure appears from the darkness.

    fade in.gif

    “You must be the one they call… Bob. Would you like a sundae?” I struggle with the decision. My manners say yes, but my lactose intolerance says no. Fearing for my safety, I accept The Filth King’s offer.

    “Would you like fries with that?” he asks. I agree to these as well.

    filth 3.jpg

    “Drive through to the second window” he says, before taking three steps to the right. I turn to the rest of the Royals with a confused look. They shrug and gesture for me to follow him. Only after I also take three steps to the left does he hand over the fries and sundae.

    I take one spoonful of sundae before placing it on a table. I ask the others to join the Filth King, close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    filth 5.jpg

    Blacky starts to speak, but the Filth King throws a half-eaten bacon double cheeseburger deluxe at him, making his cardboard crown fall off his head. Clearing his throat, The Filth King begins…

    “Dear Filthy,

    So, you finally decided to join the Sweet FA. You'll have fun mate, genuinely love the place, you'll be loved and don't stress about sim performances - every single part of your unrivalled legacy has been achieved by you, not a computer. You're just... c'mere you.

    ....


    ....


    *whispers*

    Ok maybe a couple of things. Don't mention that 22 round season. Don't post league events while stoned. If you do, for the love of Mobbs, preview posts. Don't post at 2am lay down drunk.

    Do all of this and the place will become your most beloved secret shame. You'll find so many of your best mates and a gamut of good friends and acquaintances along the way. And when you're dead, and your children have rolled their last eye at your constant declarations of how you were once a big deal, your last move will making a post in the "delete my account" thread.

    I love you.

    *closes eyes*”


    I then turn to media darling Kennedy Parker. Known for memorable forms of expression, my expectations were high…

    "Stop. Leave. You're making a huge mistake."

    Oh.

    My stomach starts gurgling. I ignore it as Blacky finally gets up after retrieving his cardboard crown and begins telling his story…

    “I thought the Royals were due for a good performance when I picked them as my team all those seasons ago

    In actual fact I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t choose the Royals. ClarkeM tagged me into some random thread about how s**t the Royals were and even though I didn’t know what was happening I could tell Clarkey was a massive turbo and damned if I would let him talk s**t about something I was loosely affiliated with.

    So in summary: Blacky don’t choose the Royals.

    That and always go last when doing rounds with noobz0r”


    Graham is next to speak. His name is Graham, but The Filth King calls him CakeEater after that time he ate a piece of his own birthday cake which The Filth King was eyeing off. Anyway, here’s what Graham had to say…

    “1. The SFA takes getting used to but it’s mostly a good place to hang out and talk rubbish
    2. If you don’t have any banter accuse the other side of being inactive
    3. Don’t get cranky at Ant bear for stealing your all SFA AA.”


    Marlowe is the next Royal to give himself advice, and boy did he give it…

    “Dearest rookie Marlowe,

    This is future Marlowe. Don't worry about the name, you'll change it next season.

    I am talking to you from the distant future of Season 29. That's right, you're going to be in this league for that long. No, life didn't turn out great. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. On the other hand, perhaps you can take solace knowing you're living in an era that's presently the envy of everyone alive in the future. So there's that.

    I am writing to give you advice. So strap in, buddy.


    Some tips for rookie Marlowe:

    1. Change your ridiculous Season 16 username pronto. It sucks, no one can spell it and it in all likelihood cost your EKA win.

    2. You're going to see another rookie poster named The Filth Wizard. I think he has a Dave Chappelle dressed as Prince avatar and plays for the Dragons. Start seducing him to the Royals as early as possible. Sweet talk him over. How? Figure that yourself. Use wrestling and TV references.

    3. In about one season's time, three hot s**t posters, Wise Guy Sam, MD and okeydoke7 are going to take over your club in a massive coup. Nothing will really change, but mid-season send out a PM anyway encouraging them to come over and that you think they should target specific rookies as part of their big plan too. Give them Filthy's name.

    4. Begin PM'ing Swamprats rookie named Noobz0r. Tell him you want to build a dynasty of greatness, perhaps use a lot of wrestling analogies. Mention some stupid bullshit called the nWo. Try and suss out other wrestling nerds. PM them. You want one player named Hate at least. Meanwhile, continue flirting with TFW and tell him the Royals are the team for him.

    5. My fifth tip is to leave the Royals immediately. The club is going nowhere and is never going to win anything. Get out while you're on a high which I can tell you now will be your rookie season. It's never getting better than that.

    6. Go to the Dragons and bring your cadre of wrestling freaks with you, however many you can find. Wait a season or 2 and you'll win a premiership with the Dragons. It'll be great

    7. I don't have any more tips. Just accomplish this for me - future Marlowe - and together we will have changed the balance of the Sweet FA forever.


    ...


    Okay, I am told I have to give you 12 tips and make at least some real [Tonga Bob editor's note: for the record, I never told him that or gave him any such of stipulation like a 'number of tips' but I am interested to see where this goes].

    [the real Tonga Bob: I was never interested to see where this goes].


    Oh, these don't have to be numbered? fu** it.

    8. Your actual rookie season goes pretty well. You make the All-SFA side and finish up there in the EKA, I'm pretty sure, in the greatest class of all-time. No small feat. You're only to regret that your rookie teammates didn't stay longer. Maybe not Uncle Leo. But definitely the Bulldogs supporting ones. You thought the pipeline to that board would stay open longer. Do something in that area (really vague but I regret not seeing Igloo, Dan n x10, or the timtam guy flourish more).

    9. In Season 18, you're going to co-captain the Royals with Wise Guy Sam. My advice would be not to. Being a captain is not suited to you at all. Sure, WGS is a great guy, and being captain seems like one big, non-stop party of sex, drugs, rock n roll, lies & videotape, but it turns out it's more hard work than you're actually capable of and sucks up a lot of your time. Try and palm it off. Suggest MD and sit back and try to focus on not running a team. Maybe write a thread about how not being captain rules. Focus on media. You will be terrible at it but still win awards for posting, so imagine what could happen if you were actually a good poster.

    10. I don't know when, but at some point you're going to join a Royal Rumble. You're going to want to win it solely so you can judge one yourself. Same as above applies: it seems like more fun than it's worth. You will fu** up badly. No one will remember but still. Maybe retire from the league so you never have to judge the second one.

    11. Around Season 20 you're going to face the tough obstacle of playing for an inactive club. Don't lean into, it's not worth it. It will ironically consume a lot of your time in the league even by avoiding it and will kill your enthusiasm from the inside out until you're nothing but bitter towards 90% of the rest of the league. Even if you're not captain at least try posting more for fun and see if teammates follow, couldn't have hurt.

    12. Around Season 22, you're going to become inactive for about six seasons. Again, don't do that. Post once a week at least because when you do get to where I, future Marlowe am, our (let's merge timelines here) biggest regret is going to be all the ******* games we missed. We will have wound up in this ******* league for 12 seasons and still played less than 200 games. What the fu** is with that? We don't let it show, but that small fact eats away at us every day, knowing we've played fewer games than some of those aforementioned Season 16 rookies or players who won't debut for another season or two, I mean ******* hell, someone named 'brahj' for fu**'s sake will get to game #200 quicker than us. For the love of God don't let that happen.


    I have to go now, rookie Marlowe, the time portal is collapsing.

    Don't get excited for Google Glass; don't trim your bangs in 2014; do push to go to Sharon's apartment; don't trust anyone named Shannon; remember Leicester city win the league

    what year?

    ...I d o n 't r e m e---"


    I say to Marlowe’s that his words have a familiar, almost Shakespearean feel to them; to which he called me “an ass-head and a coxcomb and a knave, a thin fac’d knave, a gull”. Essentially a ye olde 'no u'.

    Kapow!!! leaps up like a human explosion and goes bang…

    “Considering when I first started it was 15 years ago (and I was 15) and I formed a Freo side from the Freo board and named us the "Fremantle Dockers" I guess I'd have to say the advice I'd give myself would be to start drinking 6 months earlier than your first beer and grow some f@#%ing imagination...or a least hire a brand consultant.

    Also I'd tell him the future is going to get a lot less...polite...”


    spookism then floats over to me as things go from bad to worse inside my guts and starts talking in an ethereal accent…

    “You may have not heard or seen my rookie season story - but basically I came back into the league in S16 when the Swamprats reformed.
    However, I played about 6 games in S7 and posted about 5 times, before being de-listed.

    So my advice to the S7 version would be to get rid of my shitty original name, either post full on or wait until Season 16 and claim the EKA that you deserved.”


    The next to chime in is GreyCrow, who says the following…

    *crow noises*

    I ask Graham what that means and, shaking his head with disappointment, he interprets…

    “Don’t eat the cakes , cakeeater doesn’t like it when you pinch his cakes.

    200 posts a thread has to happen organically , don’t force it and post rubbish just to make a post count.

    Watch out for Blacky.

    ND is a dumbarse.

    ----

    It’s a fun concept that some people take way too seriously (myself included at times) so lighten up and be yourself. You are a funny person, use that and enjoy the time. Anytime you get ahead of yourself - remember it’s a sim. You have no control, you are not a change agent, posting more or less won’t affect the sim. The sim is sentient.

    Oh and the cake thing - it’s not really about cakeeater - he is a nice guy - it’s that 20kgs you will put on.”


    I think GreyCrow for his contribution, to which he replies with *crow noises*. Turning to Graham, he simply says “Nevermore”.

    Turning to ShaunDuggan, I see the eyes of a man who has experienced life. I mean REALLY experienced life. If Keith Richards played qooty, I bet he’d look a bit like Shaun. He gets straight to the point…

    “Don't take a Jet to Sin City, don't burn and turn away a young wizard and for fu**s sake do not say xenxen three times into a mirror.”

    filth 7.jpg

    Nodding like I understood a single word he said, I walk towards Noobz0r. The Filth King is sitting in a spa with a couple of ‘employees’ however, and is now flinging slices of pickle at me. I dodge the salty projectiles and continue making my way to Noobz0r.

    rookie self 16.png

    After evading the pickle slices I walk towards where I last saw Noobz0r but what I see instead is a screen...

    fire in building.jpg

    The final participant is brahj, who has the appearance of a sloth. Perhaps he’s the team mascot, I’m not entirely sure. Anyway, he starts talking with a slow drawl…

    “Hi brahj,

    There's a couple of things we need to go over before you start your Sweet FA Career:

    - pants is going to leave you out of the S18 All-SFA, but you'll win the EKA. The first chance you get, tell pants he was wrong as often and as loudly as you need to. He loves constructive feedback and will openly admit his failures.
    - When juggs leaves Vegas, go with your instinct and post exactly how you feel about him. It's a very cathartic experience and it paves the way for a rock solid friendship in a few years.
    - boncer34 will like a post of yours one day.
    - Don't let DemonJim do votes for the Best and Fairest or represent any team in the committee.
    - S22 will be your last season at Las Vegas and it'll be spent receiving criticism about your output at Full Forward by hydrated glory hunter, Doctor Gero. After you kick the winning goal in the S22 Grand Final you will be flooded by team mates congratulating you, except Doctor Gero. Chase him down like an elderly Gazelle, tackle him to the ground and put your testicles in his mouth. It may seem excessive but it'll make sense after he rigs the Best & Fairest voting against you.
    - Actually, also don't let Doctor Gero do votes for the Best and Fairest.
    - Don't go back to the Bears because you think you can save them. Outside of some dear old friends, they are a heavily sanitised version of the Las Vegas you know and love.
    - Richmond will get better.

    Okay, I love you.

    - brahj”


    brahj falls asleep as soon as he finishes talking. The Filth King is still in the spa and the others are rolling dice against a wall so, as I clench my arse cheeks to prevent an unscheduled expulsion, I take my leave of the Royals. As the lift descends towards to the ground floor, I collect my thoughts on the Royals. A hedonistic group, they are a mixture of wisdom, benevolence and Bacchanalian excess. Satisfying at first, but leave you feeling unwell if you take in too much. I find a slice of pickle on my arm, and eat it.

    tbc.gif
     
    Last edited:
    Las Vegas Bears
  • The elevator comes to a sudden stop before it gets to the ground floor. The door opens into a dimly lit corridor. I step out and walk along it.

    rookie self 20.jpg

    At the end of the corridor is a motley crew, all centered around a giant anthropomorphic ballsack.

    bears 1.jpg

    A low guttural laugh emanates from a cavernous room. “Pej teand suu-oojah senhor testiculooh teeets uba pej ooleasure bunko!” A metallic voice follows. It says “His grand enormousness Senhor Testiculo welcomes you to his Pleasure Palace”.

    rookie self 21.jpg

    I cautiously approach the platform that Senhor Testiculo is reclining on as he continues. “Hoo hoo hoo! Wata bu rookee tak ooout!” The person translating is what looks to be a recycled robot. “Here is the rookie they talk about” he tells me.

    rookie self 19.jpg

    At this point I focus my mind on the talking scrotum and say “You will reach back in time to your younger self”.

    Senhor Testiculo replies: “Jee widd oom-ach bata tee-tock mah youngah nato-hutt”.

    I continue by saying “Give yourself advice on what to do in the SFA”.

    “Doo geego nop haku bal bu sfah”.

    rookie self 18.jpg

    Riding my luck, I then say “Punch yourself in the balls”.

    “Hoo hoo hoo! Oon't hu-ss uta-sha nortune smadd rookee. Wata bu answah uba baja”

    I turn to the interpreter. “Don’t press your luck young rookie. Here are the answers which you seek”.

    Senhor Testiculo then begins speaking; the interpreter doing his best to keep up…

    “I started with the Bears in S26, along with 3 other rooks Barrybran Cadaver and Tandy, it was an amazing season.
    If I could go back in time I would tell myself to "don’t take everything so bloody serious". I distinctly remember Cadaver having a feud with The Half Back and I went in to bat for my team mate and exploded and looked like a complete dick. NaturalDisaster had some wise words for me at the time that really hit home.
    I ended up sending THB a pm apologising for my behaviour. I had a hard time as a rookie, I was far too passionate about my team to be playing this game and I got myself into trouble a fair bit, embarrassing myself quite often. I look back at it and just learn from it, I'm not ashamed, I was just a rookie. If I had my time again I wouldn’t change a thing, the experience I gained from that season was enormous, these days I'm still passionate, but not as intense as I was in my rookie season.”


    Testiculo is then distracted with his pet, which gives the robot interpreter an opportunity to speak on his own and, in true robot style, does so in point form. His name is Metalcrusher.
    1. “Do not always listen to the elder statesmen/women, they have about as much clue as we do.
    2. Do not be afraid to forge your own path, fu** the naysayer's, they will dislike you anyway. Just like in life, there are the small group who will make your life hard for shits and giggles.
    3. You need a thick skin if you want to ruffle feathers here. You cannot be a snowflake. Be prepared to retire at the end of the day's posting and reflect if you could self-improve the situation you find yourself in.
    4. Zip ties and rape tape is not an appropriate comment, even though it was taken out of context and directed at Caz30, sexually violent undertones do not belong anywhere, even in the SFA.
    5. Engage EVERYONE in the SFA and make your own mind up, just like RL, there are some campaigners that just need to be smacked, however, do not take others word for it, explore it yourself.
    6. If you need to reach out to the Moderators, do so, their job is to keep the SFA moving along smoothly. Do not hesitate to call upon one of them for advice, all I have dealt with via PM, have been above board and helpful.
    7. Enjoy your rookie year in the SFA whilst you are still learning. Get involved with the Rookie threads and express the persona you want to be. (ie Riviat Bloodied52 , threads etc ...)
    8. You are going to post things in frustration, that at the time you do not have the hindsight to delete, wake up next morning and think WTF. RELAX, it's going to happen and most will only call you out on the day and let sleeping dogs lie.
    9. The SFA is anything you want it to be. You get to pick your own adventure.
    10. When it comes to picking a team, RESEARCH is your friend. Before you post in the signup thread, check the Teams open threads, poke around in the matchday threads. Information is gold as to whether a team will suit your posting style.”
    The next Bear to speak is Matera92. One of a long line of Materas (92 to be precise), he is the sharpest-dressed bear in the room, and gets straight to the point…

    “Dear Past Matera92,

    Stay retired.

    Regards,

    Your future, self.”


    MWPP escapes the attention of Senhor Testiculo for a minute. A squishy red ball with eyes, when she sits next to Testiculo she looks like a pimple of the side of a scrotum. Thankfully she is much more eloquent…

    “MWPP,
    Right now, it feels like you don't belong as you're the awkward, misunderstood new kid, but rest assured there's a niche in the league for everyone including you and that you'll find it. Don't let a certain minority get you down, and instead of going into your shell and not leaving it for a few seasons, post freely throughout the forum and even embrace your inner heel from time to time. If despite this you still don't feel like you fit in, don't retire or remain a list clogger. Instead, accept the offer to join a team which has a style you click better with and a captain you like and admire. People talk about being a one team player and loyalty, but enjoyment is far more important. Don't make the mistake of knocking back the move in the interests of misplaced loyalty. It's definitely the overall vibe of a team which matters more than the individuals. Follow your instincts and move, and you'll end up in a team and eventually Leadership Group which feels like an online family. You will also make some very close friends from outside your team who will always have your back. It will be disappointing when a couple of your friends move on and you'll be left reconsidering your own future in the league, but remember that it's all swings and roundabouts, and that it's often much more fun to play against/on rather than alongside your best mates. Beneath the personas and bravado lies a strong sense of community, and help and support will always be there, even from the most unlikely of places. Overall it's the people which will make everything, even being ripped off by the Sim on an individual and grand final level, worth it.”


    I then turn to tgrs, who stares at me with confused eyes, kind of like Steve Buscemi’s character in Mr Deeds. He asks:

    “Which rookie season?”

    Pre-empting his follow up statement, perhaps harshly but definitely fairly, I move on to hilly. More of a Bradley than a Stephen, he provides the following advice…

    “I would tell my younger self to enjoy your time as the greatest fantasy player of them all, and to remind everyone of this fact as often as possible.”

    RookiePick is by the door guarding the room. Like a Beefeater he doesn’t say a word, but Senhor Testiculo has laid off the rest of the guards so poor RookiePick is busier than a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest. A shame that he could not provide advice with a name like his.

    I turn back to Senhor Testiculo and ask him if there are any other Bears to speak with. He tells me “Jee-jee sash captah nambo joshwoodenspoooh whooh mu guee toooh much jee-jee orop shash bu beah pit.”

    Metalcrusher translates for me. “We had a captain named Joshwoodenspoon who loved someone too much so we threw him in the Bear Pit”.

    bears 2.jpg

    Testiculo continues. “Jee-jee alsooh sash murishani nambo auntee blind eye. Othah rookees nroze shash carbonite. Jee ateema doo shash mah art gadderee.”

    I turn to Metalcrusher, who says “We also had a bounty hunter named AuntyBlindEye. Other rookies froze him in carbonite. I now keep him in my art gallery.”

    “Hoo hoo hoo!”

    Metalcrusher tells me that Testiculo is laughing. Obvious translation is obvious.

    Then Testiculo says “Howevah u2 wata andoba tee-tock oolaee! Jee huujah bu ateema songs bettap bonooh ooes!”

    The translation follows “However U2 is touring here next season. I love the new songs that Bono sings!”

    bears 4.jpg

    I thank Senor Testiculo and the rest of the Bears for their hospitality, and head back towards the elevator. On my way I see a tunnel leading to a weirdly-lit room. Curiosity gets the better of me so I walk in. There, hanging on a wall on the far side of the room, is AuntyBlindEye who is indeed frozen in a slab of carbonite!

    bears 3.jpg

    Feeling obligated to rectify the sins of the rookie group, I remove the slab of carbonite from the wall and take him with me. I almost reach the elevator when an alarm goes on. I hear Senhor Testiculo’s booming voice from the other end of the corridor, anger bristling from his ballsy voice, “STANG JEESH AUNTEE AN BU ROOKEE!” Instinctively I know what he is shouting: “Bring me Aunty and the Rookie!”

    Shoving Aunty into the elevator, I squeeze in and press the ground floor button frantically as RookiePick runs towards me. The door closes just in time.

    The elevator makes it to the ground floor and, as I exit the elevator, I notice the Royals running around the gaming floor of the Pleasure Palace looking for me. Realising that I have no way to escape with AuntyBlindEye, I hide him in plain sight by repurposing him as a blackjack table. I flick the thaw switch on the carbonite slab and wish Aunty well once he comes out of hibernation.

    Once out the door I make my way to the Bearlagio car park to try and find the DeWhorean. While doing this I have an opportunity to reflect on the Bears. They are a team that are clearly in a rebuilding phase with a single dominating presence, powerful yet grotesque. The translation skills of Metalcrusher have been a welcome addition, and with Bono in the band next season they will surely be playing to a new tune.

    I find the DeWhorean. Doc is asleep in the driver’s seat. I shout at him to wake up and get us out of this dystopian hellscape. He wipes spit from his mouth and starts the car.

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    Dragons FFC
  • Escaping the now familiar car explosion, we are back in the centre of town. It’s familiar yet different, more modern. Skater punks ride around on skateboard without wheels. When I call them planks they hurl an obscenity at me before planking away.

    Doc parks the car and tells me that the next team to meet with to get their advice to their rookie selves are the Dragons. He explains that as dragons are imaginary creatures, I would need to go somewhere that imaginary things can be found. I leave Doc and wander the streets, and before too long I find myself at a cinema.

    rookie self 13.jpg

    If I wasn’t convinced enough that this could be a place where I could find an imaginary creature, a holographic Noah emerges from the cinema building and TRIES TO F**KEN BITE ME!

    bttf shark 3.jpg

    rookie self 12.jpg

    bttf shark 2.gif

    I don’t need to be bitten twice, so I enter the cinema. When I get inside I’m confronted by what seems to be Dragon rookies serial_thrilla and Maylandsman along with fumbler in front of the audience, in what seems to be some sort of bizarre Siegfried and Roy type action.

    dragons 2.jpg

    The audience are loving it and are giving the glaringly-dressed performers a round of applause. Deservedly so as well, for the costumes if for no other reason.

    dragons 1.jpg

    As I approach the front of the cinema Fumbler escorts the rookies out a side door, telling them something about rookies being “seen but not heard” before taking a seat with the rest of the audience. Hopefully this isn’t an indication of the sort of advice that they give to rookies, whether it be themselves or others.

    My senses are on high alert as I wait for the applause to die down. I scan the audience. It seems to be a diverse group of people representing all walks of life, no matter how unrealistic. I explain the purpose for my visit and, after being greeted with what seems to be a consensus of nods and grunts of affirmation, I ask the Dragons to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    As is the custom, the team captain is the first to speak. His name is AceAndy. He has the reconstructed look of Lord Voldemort, with the intellect and cunning to match. Andy begins speaking…

    In the Sweet FA you will meet an incredible number of very clever, talented , funny and great people you will get along with and then there is the Bombers.

    There is a rich history in the Sweet FA to uncover and immerse yourself in the lore and history of the clubs and research how the place operates. Learn to how use the Search function and don’t annoy people asking questions all the time.

    Learn how to photoshop as this will help you immensely and no-one takes Media seriously unless it is accompanied by some mad photoshop skills.

    Don’t ever get involved in WereWolf.

    Have fun and enjoy the ride.”


    fumbler twirls his bushy moustache and greets me with a hearty “Jak sie masz!” before providing his advice…

    “fumbler you sexy adolescent male why did you sign with the Southern Dragons when you could of joined your peers at the Fighting Furies and win the EKA over Gus in Season 12?
    Well when I first joined the SFA I had absolutely no idea what was going on and I honestly thought that what you posted counted towards the sim, it took me a fair while to work out that this place was just an excuse for people to come to and brag about how big or whatever their appendages are.”


    He then stops speaking, paused in mid-thought.

    “In retrospect the main thing I would tell my rookie self would be to stay away from people whose motives aren’t always for your own good.”

    The next Dragon to get up is Hatchy1992. He is dressed as his favourite superhero, Captain Underpants America. Whatever, his underpants are visible. What he says however has a noble ring to it…

    “When I first joined the league I didn't know what to expect with the banter, deciding to go along with a posting style that wasn't me, and at times I felt out of place when I first joined. I feel I should have put more thought into what style was me when I had adjusted to the league, and the which clubs support that style which would have helped in choosing a club to start with. I should have just gone out to enjoy myself.

    As for posters to avoid, it's not really avoid per se, because there isn't anyone, it's more I'd have associated myself with posters of a certain style from the outset. 12 seasons into my career I’ve come to realise that it's the variety of posters that makes the league what it is.

    However, I do regret not speaking out on certain injustices that I’ve noticed throughout my career. There have been a few and I feel they've to an extent hurt my enjoyment of the league somewhat, so in the end I just started ignoring it and focusing on getting back my enjoyment by posting with my teammates, and opposition alike and putting those injustices aside.”


    Ljp86 is a [checks notes] sunglass-wearing fanged thing with a bazooka. A wise sunglass-wearing fanged thing with a bazooka, but still a sunglass-wearing fanged thing with a bazooka, who says the following…

    “If there was some advice that I would give to myself or any rookie coming to the SFA for their debut season it would be to have fun and don't take anything too seriously. Everyone within the competition is here to have fun and enjoy themselves and the SFA serves as a place or an escape of sorts where a group of people can come together and partake in some light hearted fun and banter. Particularly in these times where COVID-19 has taken precedent, the SFA might serve a greater and more important purpose for some people with a lot of us having to spend time indoors for the foreseeable future. Making sure you have fun is important and will go a long way to helping people, particularly in terms of mental health which is something that is a big issue in general these days.

    Secondly, don't take what happens here too seriously. As I mentioned before, people here are generally here to have fun and get away from the real world so there are many who are taking the piss with what they do and impersonating an exaggerated part of their persona. Most of the posters here away from the boards are decent people so don't take anything they say too serious because it's more than likely they are just joking around and are just trying to add a bit of humour and interest to the competition.”


    I then move towards Knifey Spoony who seems to be an amalgamation of many different pop culture references all wearing a trench coat pretending to be a person. This comes out in their advice to themselves…

    “Dear BB 8,
    First off, that is a silly name. You should have picked something different, like a Simpsons reference. If your quick to change, you might even get one of your top two choices...also, don't get your hopes up for Star Wars episodes 8 or 9. I know you will see them anyone, but consider yourself warned
    One thing I will say is to make sure you don't take anything for granted. In your first season you will make it all the way to a grand final, this is a rare event that you will not replicate for many seasons. Enjoy the finals and savour the moments. Finally, when the runner comes out to pull you to the bench in the first quarter of the season 21 GF, don't argue them in the chest and go straight back into the ruck. Maybe, just maybe, it will make all the difference”


    Next up is Pie 4 Life. To say that he loves pies is an understatement. He doesn’t seem to have aged in years – he perpetually looks 3.14 years old, however his advice comes from a place of great experience…

    “Dear Pie,

    Taking the plunge with the Dragons was the right move and the side stands the test of time. By far the biggest regret is not pushing hard enough against the admin during the forced merger - not that there was much you could do against an admin then. Despite the frustrations at the time, it will end up working out and will be great in the long run. Oh and that Ljp guy who joined late in that first season turns out to be an alright player in the end.

    Fantasy footy is not the be all and end all of life, and while it is fun, if there are times you need to have breaks do so, it will still be waiting for you when you get back. You get to know a lot of players over time, and while it might be hard to believe now with the 20-odd post threads, one day the threads will be flooded with players and posts, some good, some terrible, and it will be hard to keep up, but that's the growth of the game.

    You're not always around as you are now, nor have the greatest influence, but it's great to sit back and watch the growth of the development of the league, and more importantly than anything else, see the Dragons become a premiership-winning team. You'll be somewhat absent for their first flag, but when you're writing this, you've won a more recent title, and it made the wait all the more special. Don't let the finals losses get you down, you'll get there.

    Regards,

    Old Pie

    PS. Writing this 15 years in the future and there are some players who weren't born when you were in your rookie season, so how's that for longevity?”


    As I thank Pie I’m interrupted by somebody bleating. I wonder where that came from as I turn to Cold Sober. He looks like a kind and patient man, like somebody that Waits a lot. His advice on the other hand…

    “1. Have posted too many I maybe shouldn't have.
    2. I could've saved many a suspension if I hadn't reacted to Leftist, tree hugging, me too trolls, especially while drinking.
    3. If I'd sent some of the posts I got halfway thru I wouldn't be here.
    4. Should have paid more attention with English at school, my Grammar is s**t which is often pointed out by that other 's**t group of people' The Grammar Police.
    5. Taken more notice of all the above said Dickheads and put them on ignore.”


    The bleating continues. As I’m not sure whether sheep can be dragons I continue to ignore it and find HawkAussie, who is yet another random character that seems to have escaped the confines of some sort of spherical confinement to join this foreign legion of a team. When I ask what their advice would be, the response was to the point…

    “I think the easiest answer for that question is basically interacting with people as I know for a fact when I did my first season with the Bombers, I barely commented in the match threads.”

    Suddenly I feel a nudge against my legs. Well lie me in a bowl, cover me with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry and call me a banana split; it IS a sheep in the cinema! They go by the name of Strigoi and provide the most coherent advice of the group…

    “My advice to myself...let me see...

    Remember that everyone isn't nice and will try to upset you or be mean - just because they really aren't nice people in the first place. You go to the internet for relaxation, joking, a laugh, and plain old fun. Others feel the need to ridicule, judge, and stir the pot. But you will learn who to avoid. Just bide your time. You'll find your niche and a great bunch of folks to post with. Just like life itself.

    Your team mates will have your back. :) They will be like a bunch of brothers. 💚

    Venture out more into the expanse of Big Footy itself. Don't just stick to the game threads. There is a LOT out there to read. Some great information, facts, stories, and fun to be had.

    When you feel down, head to Bay 13. It's a riot. 😹


    At this point music starts playing at a steadily increasing volume. Fumbler is again at by the side door, gesturing me to make my departure from the cinema. As I leave the audience gives me a round of applause. They are polite, I’ll give them that.

    dragons 3.jpg

    Once outside the cinema I turn back to the building and reflect on my time with the Dragons. Their big thing is unity in diversity, the Drummond household of the SFA. They believe it takes different strokes to rule the world, yes they do. An easy-going group, but once you scratch under the surface they are protective of each other regardless of where they came from.

    As I gather myself and head back to the DeWhorean, I hear the cacophony of rowdy teens. It can mean only one thing – the plankers have returned.

    tbc.gif
     
    Sin City Swamprats
  • It seems as though my grasp of technology isn’t as strong as I hope. First it’s the exploding time travel car thing, then it’s the imaginary Noahs (I call the big one bitey), and now it’s the planks that the skater punks are riding around like old mate who left his scooter outside the dairy.

    rookie self 26.jpg

    I see a couple of kids nearby, and ask them for their plank. They say “OK boomer” so I commandeer it from the ungrateful brats.

    rookie self 25.jpg

    rookie self 28.jpg

    I take the plank to a nearby park and inspect it thoroughly. It has the word ‘Hoverboard’ written on it, which I suspect is the name of the brat I commandeered it from.

    swamprats 5a.png

    Suddenly there’s tension in the air as somebody shouts “There he is! Get him!” The skater punks are back and out for blood.

    rookie self 27.jpg

    I jump on the plank and Jesus the s**t out of there.

    swamprats 2.jpg

    The punks are in hot pursuit.

    swamprats 7.jpg

    Being expert plankers, they soon catch up with me. They group together and approach me. Nek minnit their leader arrives.

    swamprats 1a.jpg

    His name is philreich. He demands to know why I’ve crossed the Swamprats. I stifle a laugh and ask him what the bloody hell a Swamprat is, which he replies by saying that it’s a rat that lives in a swamp. They’re ferocious despite their size, are known for both individual and team success and can make a meal out of pretty much anything. I explain to Phil and the other Swamprats the purpose for my journey of discovery and, to my surprise, they offer to contribute! Never one to look a gift rat in the mouth, I accept Phil’s offer. They take me to what appears to be a renovated Shitposter’s Arms and, with the first round ordered I ask the Swamprats to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    swamprats 6.jpg

    philreich is the first to step forward. A towering presence, he exudes the aura of somebody that has reached the pinnacle of his profession. Whatever that may be. His advice is appropriately alpha…

    “This is a bit of a hard one, because I largely have very few regrets about my SFA career - I've won a flag and a Deestroy Medal, a Mobbs Medal: plus 3 B & F's. But if there's one thing I'd tell my rookie self, it's the fact that there will be several flogs who will try to tell you how to post, and to simply ignore them. If you comply with how other people contribute to the league, then you're not really being yourself. So across my nearly 7 seasons, I've done things my way, and if others don't like that, then here's a summary of my care factor:












    :D


    swamprats 8.jpg

    The next Swamprat to speak is SarahSmiles, who is refreshingly Frank with their younger self…

    “Dear past me.

    Don't try too hard. Just don't. Go through your journey which will involve pure spam, posting for the sake of posting and weird schticks which will be weird to both you and everyone who witnessed them. It'll teach you a tonne about your posting today which despite not being good per say is a significant improvement from what it was. Be yourself and be authentic, this will come a lot more naturally later so don't force it now. Make your mistakes and don't feel too bad about them. Learn from the incredible people that you post with at the Wonders and keep on learning about the league. And for the love of everything good in the world don't post that awful thread you did at the end of S25! Don't worry, you'll find your feet eventually and it'll all be fine. It'll just take time and mistakes which younger Smiles is gonna obliviously make and then learn a lot from. And the most important thing; keep on smiling!”


    I now turn to jackster83. An old lion with a distinct anti-establishment energy, he brings a wealth of experience and a very dry wit to the party…

    “Hi jackster83,

    Welcome to the SFA and congratulations on joining the most universally loved team in the league, the Sin City Swamprats. You get to play alongside Qooty superstars the calibre of
    ant555, Far Kern and Nunez, as well as up and coming guns like Sparkle and GremioPower.

    The SFA is a weird and wonderful place that can lead you down a rabbit hole – rumours are there is even a thread where the lotto numbers are published 24 hours before the draw takes place.

    Now, while you are keen to get out there and abuse your team mates and opponents alike, followed by sinking tins of delicious West End, you need to educate yourself on ten simple but important points:




    1. Don’t drink the water
    2. SarahSmiles is not a chick
    3. Nice guys don’t always finish last. Just ask AceAndy and his Dragons
    4. The week your team plays the Furies is a good week to go on a holiday, preferably somewhere with no internet
    5. Don’t drink the water. Not even a little sip
    6. The sim is random. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
    7. Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese
    8. SFA Premiership Medals are definitely not chocolate and may contain traces of lead
    9. Pants (or at least the wearing of them) are overrated
    10. Don’t even think about drinking the water.

    Read and re-read these pointers and commit them to memory, and you’ll do well.

    Enjoy the ups and downs, and most importantly the beer.

    Regards,

    Futurejackster83”


    LukeParkerno1 saunters by with a graceful gait, with advice as considered as their step…

    “Honestly,

    The best advice I can give you looking back as a rookie, and now a seasoned veteran (gosh I feel old), is to not take yourself too seriously. You are here to have a good time and the more banter the better. Furthermore, not rehashing the same things over and over again is good for the game and is good for your team.

    I personally avoid very controversial topics but nowadays I have been slowly getting those into my gameplay and I feel as long as you are respectful with these topics it's fair game. I do wish that I personally would talk about current affair more often and debate the comings and goings in the world. This is something that has crept into the SFA this year though for obvious reasons.

    All in all if you are thinking of joining a SFA side I highly recommend you doing it, you won't regret it the friendships you make are well and truly worth it.”


    swamprats 4.jpg

    ant555 walks up to me and inspects my ear. I ask phil what the hell is going on. He replies in a rasping whisper “I think he likes you!” It’s as if my ear jolts some memory in ant’s mind because he begins to talk…

    “Way back in season 4 there was not a lot of posting by anyone really other than you jumped in and said "go (insert team here) " and maybe a follow up post that was just as lame. So first up I would have been more creative in my posts and maybe lead the way with 5 posts , well actually 10 posts would have been massive.
    No doubt I would have won rookie of the year if I did that.

    Secondly I would not have picked to play in a pocket, pretty sure I went back pocket first. I ended up being in and out of the team. Be selfish and aim for a good position which I did when I became coach.

    Third stick with it. If I have one regret it is that I did go missing for a few seasons. Thankfully my name stayed on the list as a back up but I should have put in the effort to stay around in more of a limited way.

    Fourth. Start media threads. I would have been ahead of my time and the biggest legend of the game right now.”


    I then turn to Nunez. A gaunt fellow whose well-tailored suit covers a lifetime of sin, he adjusts his top hat and takes aim…

    “Dear Nunez,

    I am writing to you from the future, and hope you take my words as gospel because it anybody knows how valuable my opinion is, it's you.

    BRAB is Chris Fagan's alt account. Make sure you're nice to him.

    Ant Bear does eventually get sacked. We now call philreich daddy in private PMs.

    Cadaver gets sent to jail for plagiarism.

    MWPP is a witch.

    WaynesWorld19 eventually stops posting gifs ... for one week.

    Hoos is not the issue here Dude. It's about drawing a line in the sand. Across this line YOU DO NOT ... Oh and Nunez, fu** face is not the correct nomenclature - gym4life
    , please.

    The list goes on dear friend, but I shall leave some things to mystery. When you get to the year 2020, take some sleeping pills and get out of bed in 2021.

    Love always,

    Nunez”


    swamprats 3a.jpg

    The last one of the admittedly small group is Sparkle. The baby of the group with a passion for acronyms, Sparkle provides advice that belies youth…

    "Dear Sparkle (or as you were then known, SparkleNarkle),

    Welcome to the Sweet FA, hope you're excited! It's certainly going to be a wild ride, plenty of matches where you do nothing on and off the field will inevitably occur but there'll be plenty of matches where you clock up the posts and the possessions. It's probably a good idea to tell you now though to make sure real life comes first, it's okay to say 'I've got school' and check in when the schoolworks done; don't get too worried about making sure you're there 24/7

    But in saying that, give it a red hot crack to be active as much as you can, when you are active the SFA is great fun and it'll give you the chance to chat with so many great people. Especially within your team, the Sin City Swamprats: it's a great group and you'll love being with them

    So with the serious advice aside, here's just a few quick tips that'll make your time in the SFA better-er:


    • Not every post needs to be accompanied by a The Simpsons GIF, meme, quote or image
    • Starter Pack memes went out of fashion years ago, don't try and bring them back
    • Try and post at least a few times every week. It'll keep you engaged with the league and the community

    Good luck SN, you're gonna do great"

    I ask phil if there’s anybody else to speak with. He tells me that GotTheGoodes, akkaps and Firestarter are all helping Far Kern up north, and there's another on the horizon he refers to simply as 'The Brazilian'. “The Upper Murray doesn’t defend itself” I hear phil mutter between clenched teeth.

    As I leave The Shitposter’s Arms Magus walks past me. He asks the other Swamprats what he missed, phil replied by saying “Your bloody round, that’s what you missed. Pitter patter, let’s have at ‘er”, before reciting some creed about drunken revelries. I reckon the Shitposter’s Arms is in for a helluva night!

    rookie pick 32.jpg

    Picking up my plank, I think about the type of team that the Swamprats are. They are fighters, have achieved a lot for their size, fond of a drink, scrappy yet successful. They hunt in packs yet still have the potential to step over their mother’s bodies for individual recognition. And a dress sense that could best be described as ‘zany’. I step on my plank and continue my journey.

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    Roys FFC
  • I plank my way around town, and before long I find myself at an antique store.

    rookie pick 33a.jpg

    Peering inside the window, I see an old gorilla toy.

    bttf antique 1.jpg

    I remember the words of Doc, who told me that there was a gorilla named Roy who, in the deepest darkest history of the SFA, lorded over Sweet like a mighty king. “Roy relics are portals back to those days,” he said, “Beware. Beware. Beware…” Why he was walking away when he said that I’ll never know.

    I decide that Doc is full of s**t, so I enter the antique store to take a closer look at the gorilla toy.

    bttf antique 2.jpg

    Inside the store is an old Asian man. I ask him if I can buy the gorilla toy. He says “Take the gorilla, but beware it carries a terrible curse…”

    I say “Ooooh, that’s bad”

    bttf antique 3.jpg

    He says “But it comes with a free tub of plasticine!”

    Me: “That’s good.”

    “The plasticine is also cursed.”

    “That’s bad.”

    “But you get your choice of colour.”

    “That’s good.”

    “The only colour is snot green.”

    rookie self 34.jpg

    I stare at him with a confused look.

    “…That’s bad.”

    I thank the mystic store owner, take the gorilla toy, the tub of plasticine and a dog-eared copy of the Sweet FA Sports Almanac, and head out of the antique store.

    roys 1.jpg

    When I open the door however, I’m transported to a tropical island! It’s cloudy, humid as sweaty undies, and in the distance on the side of a mountain there’s what looks to be an image of a giant gorilla.

    tdc 2.jpg

    In the distance I hear a tremendous roar. As the gorilla toy vibrates in my bag I squint into the sunlight, and as I do I see the silhouette of what appears to be a giant ape-like creature! I run towards the mountain to take cover. Soon I find myself at the edge of a village. With trepidation I try to see if it’s inhabited, when suddenly from out of the ruins a couple of figures challenge me.

    roys 4.jpg

    “What brings you to the Isle of Roys?” one of them asks. I explain the purpose of my journey and, after consulting with his companion, he prods a spear at me and says “We’ve been expecting you. This way.” I follow them to the village.

    roys 2.jpg

    These people, the Roys, are custodians of an ancient wisdom, a more primitive way of life. They are old as balls. The one that directed me here, fitzroybowiedog, also explains that they are the keepers of King Roy, the gigantic hairy arthropod I saw earlier. King Roy protects the world from Lovecraftian terrors the likes of which we have not seen since time immemorial. Whether it’s the humidity of the foreboding tale I’m hearing, I’m sweating like a man that’s been out on the piss with his mates explaining to his wife at 3am where he’s been. I don’t want to stay on this creepy island too long so I ask the Roys to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    fitzroybowiedog is the first to speak. He has the impression of somebody that has had numerous incarnations and is known amongst the tribe as the Thin White Duke, even though he can sometimes be up to his neck in trouble.

    “Dear fitzroybulldog

    Firstly change the name, don't wait until 2016 to do it, do it now. it's one of the better name changes that has graced the SFA and most of the other posters associate the Thin White Duke anyway, so lean into it.
    Secondly after witnessing 10+ seasons of half-baked threads about half formed ideas, don't shelve all the ideas you've started and then gave up on. No one cares if the The Roygonauts, your attempt at a Homer style Odyssey Epic detailing the Roys Season 25 glory, is dogshit, or A Current SFAffair is absolute bollocks or any other of the notes you've scribbled is utter rubbish, another rubbish thread will appear 5mins after so no one will remember them anyway, and if they're good well maybe some people may enjoy them.
    Thirdly don't be afraid to reach out posters to either show appreciation, to seek advice or just to have a chat, too much s**t slinging goes on here, and some people may have stayed longer if you engaged more. Often people don't know others are enjoying their work until someone actually shows some appreciation.
    Lastly don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the place. Don't feel guilty about taking a breather. There shouldn't be pressure here, relax and enjoy the ride. There is one huge mountainous high in about 10 seasons, so you've got something to look forward to.

    Hugs
    fitzroybowiedog”


    roys 6.jpg

    The next Roy to speak is I Dont Care. Sees himself as a bit of a joker amongst the tribe, but is equally adept at providing sage advice…

    “I would tell myself "Hey, own the place. Anyone gives you the shits, tear them a new one" Which is basically what I did. I have been a pretty consistent poster for about 12 seasons now, a lot of the current and recent Rookies will drop off way before they have 12 seasons, the secret is to enjoy yourself and never take anything too seriously. If you feel yourself getting upset or angry, don't react...step back for a while and compose yourself. A witty comeback is sure to form in your mind that way.”

    roys 5.jpg

    Allikat is sleeping, I dare not disturb her. I then turn to Runk, who is busily adjusting his loin cloth. He is a prolific ball user after all.

    “Dear Younger Self,

    If only you worked out how to send gifs instead of furiously writing post after post no one read it would've made your Qooty rookie year so much more enjoyable. But then you won a premiership and it didn't matter anymore. Also, don't take offence at anything. Seriously. Unless it's a Gumbie saying it. In which case report that bastard and be done with them. Embrace your teammates and their quirks, you'll find you're just as weird and it'll make the transition from Rookie to hardener warrior all the more enjoyable.

    Love Runk”


    Despite being as white as a ghost, 3KZ is Football looks to be at home in this tropical island. Alleged inspiration for lion kings everywhere, his influence has been spread akimbo, which shows in the advice he reads to me…

    “Letter to my Rookie Self

    I‘ve had a long and illustrious career and I think I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person, both at The Roys FC and the Gold City Royals. Starting out, I was just thrilled to be getting a game with greats like Mobbs and Reardo, but that soon wore off as they became my equals, my brothers in arms. I suppose the most important bit of advice I’d give myself as a rookie is to not fall asleep on the team bus on the way to our end of season trip to Terang. I’d had three or four too many chudshakes and passed out. I never found out who it was, but I suspect it was
    Mooch who then wrote “I LIKE IT BOTH WAYS” on my face with permanent marker. When we poured ourselves out of the bus at The Wheatsheaf Hotel and went inside I was inundated with offers from farming couples and single cockies who were all inviting me back to their place to look at their rain gauges. The night ended up like a scene from “Wake in Fright.” Fortunately the next night we had a fancy dress night, so I donned the black face and went as Umpire Glen James from the VFL. I don’t think people knew who my character was, but either way, suddenly I wasn’t as popular. Quite the opposite. That night I kept getting kicked out of the pub and refused service all over town because apparently they didn’t like my type in Terang. The next night the texta came off because I used turps to remove the nugget from my face and things returned to normal.

    Other than that, I wouldn’t bother giving my rookie self-advice, because I would have been too arrogant to listen.”


    roys 7.jpg

    Mooch is a bit of a straight-shooter. Hair like a sheaf of wheat, guns that can crack walnuts and a face that launched a thousand parties, he takes a seat and begins reminiscing…

    “If I was to send a message to a rookie wmoore, I'd tell him this place ain’t so scary. Stepping into some established cliques can be a bit weird at first but on the whole the chaps who inhabit the land of Sweet are alright. There are exceptions of course, and I'd be telling him to just ignore the idiots. Don't engage and don't feed them.

    Oh and by the way. You'll win a premiership in game 4 ;)

    One important message right off the bat would be not to try and understand how the hell the sim works. Clearly it just makes s**t up as it goes along. Just turning up week after week and talking s**t isn't going to get you more goals and hitouts. Though it will get you into the All SFA team apparently.

    But the real message would be that it's all about the craic. Find a club with a bunch of like-minded posters and pick out a few opposition posters you can have some good fun banter with and then just go with it; Have fun. And remember. When the fun stops. Stop.”


    I then look for A Bit High, who peers around the corner of a hut in the distance and shouts…

    “Rookie season advice…Don’t Drink and Post!”

    roys 3.jpg

    I’m then left with the last of the Roys. His name is Mobbs. His interests are as vast as his intellect. Astrophysics, cooking, philosophy, music, spawner of civilizations, interpretive dance, discoverer of the Möbbius strip, mime; Mobbs spans the genres. He is so old his head looks like a giant steamed dim sim. It takes a good few minutes for him to start talking but when he does, watch out…

    “For a start I don't rate media at all so I can only talk about Qooty and my team choices etc.

    I'm kind of struggling to get it. Do I know it's me? Is it kind of like a Bill & Ted thing where I can give hints so that the future can be changed? Do I say there'll be a Roys team opening up next season if you add your support to it, get in on that and there'll be a premiership the following year. Don't worry about being headhunted by disgruntled proles after they find you've been dumped into the game Running Man style because nobody really seems to mind. They'll still want your input for a while so use what wiles you have to keep the Bay 13 trash out for as long as you can. You'll have to change your name eventually because the missus will kick up a stink about it. Don't put too much effort in because everything you feared would happen to the game will happen. Do keep alcohol handy for when your captain actually recruits first Juggs and then Fumbler to the Roys (yeah, but you will). And don't get too invested because this sea monkeys spectacle is best viewed from a distance. Oh and this team will be dead by the end of the season, however it will be dead with a flag. Pretty much the US national anthem summed up in a season. Just smile and wave when people approach you, and vomit on them if they get too close.”


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    An earth-shaking roar reverberates around the village. King Roy is back, and this time he’s angry!

    tdc 5.jpg

    I run from the village, trying to escape him as he continues to roar. In hindsight, I discover that the roars are actually trying to warn me instead of scaring me.

    tdc 4.jpg

    Unbeknownst to me I run towards the thing that King Roy is trying to warn me from running towards – a big scaly tooth filled bastard! I’d call it a Dragon but as I’ve already learned Dragons are imaginary creatures. This big scaly tooth filled bastard is very much real! As King Roy and the bastard fight, I’m knocked unconscious. As I black out my time with the Roys flash before my eyes. A series of words, each worth a story.

    Ancient. Social. Sacred. Hairy. Tribal. Primeval. Sticky.

    tdc 3.JPG

    With my final ounce of consciousness I notice King Roy pick me up, gazing down with a weary benevolence. I’m not sure what will happen next, but I feel as though my journey is not yet complete.

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    Mount Buller Demons
  • When I wake Doc is standing over me, about to attach jumper leads to my nipples.

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    I push the old pervert away and sit up. I’m back outside the antique store. Doc tells me that as I was leaving I slipped on a banana peel, fell and hit my head on the pavement.

    rookie self 36.jpg

    As I run the back of my head, Doc explains that he has a lead for me on where the next team will be, so back into the DeWhorean we go. You’d think I’d be used to the exploding car by now, let alone the wacky destinations that Doc takes me.

    No. No I am not.

    demons 8.jpg

    We escape the sparks to find ourselves driving in red dirt. We find ourselves in arid countryside, small bushes are all that stand between it and desert. There’s a large weirdly shaped mountain in the distance. The DeWhorean’s radio starts playing chase music. Doc says, “That could only mean one thing”; when he looks into the rear-view mirror his suspicions are confirmed. A tribe of Indians native Americans on horseback are approaching rapidly.

    demons 9.jpg

    Doc guns the car over the red landscape, however horsepower is no match for horse aglilty, as the equine vehicles fare better over the terrain.

    demons 10.jpg

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    The native Americans surround us. Knowing that escaping them is an exercise in futility, we stop the car.

    demons 2.jpg

    Several of them approach us on foot. They surround the car and start urinating on each of the wheels. I say to Doc that this is pretty f**ked up right here, but Doc seems excited. “Great Scott! This is a traditional Mount Buller greeting! They must be the Demons!” He then speaks with them in their own language, before telling me to get out of the car and run to their village, and they will share their wisdom with you. I ask Doc why he is staying behind in the car instead of running with me. Doc laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs.

    demons 11.jpg

    After running for what seems like an eternity, I arrive at their village. I catch my breath, and one of the natives hand me an earthenware mug of liquid. I drink its contents before remembering their traditional greeting. As I begin gagging, the native laughs and says in perfect English “This my friend is oolong tea from the summit of Mount Buller. It has unique medicinal qualities, like those found in a super supreme pizza.”

    demons 12.jpg

    I ask him where Mount Buller is. He points to the large weirdly shaped mountain in the distance and says “Welcome to Demon Country. My name is Chief manangatang, which is Bullerian for ‘He Whose Media Defies Comprehension’. The spirits have foretold your arrival, ‘Young Islander Buck Who Writes A Lot But Is Also Good At Pretend Sports And Will Be Generously Recognised At The End Of The Season’”. I ask him to call me Bob. He says simply “K.”

    demons 5.jpg

    Chief Manangatang takes me to the rest of the tribe and asks me to sit down with them. As I do so he takes a drag from a peace pipe and blows the smoke in my face. Through the haze he says that the Demons will now close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    Chief Manangatang kicks things off. A man after my own heart, he is proficient in many things and even good at a few of them!

    “Dear rookie self,

    So you’ve landed at the Furies two thirds of the way through a season and have no idea what this is all about. It’s pretty weird, isn’t it, this whole fake football business?

    There will come a time where you must choose - do you push forward in spite of the spam and weird gifs? Or do you exit back to the confines of the Richmond board?

    I’d probably still tell you to go for it. I mean it’s a deranged pit of freaks at the best of times, but it does have its endearing qualities. Like hugs from pantsredacted; the proud look in Van_Dyke ’s eyes when he looks at you; the tasteful shooping from Tigerturbulance.

    Choose the path to engagement and in no time you will spending inordinate amounts of time away from work and your real life.

    Just piece of advice for your limited rookie season - go bitchslap both Yakker and
    BEEG and take that EKA away from them.

    Love,

    future you”


    Proper Gander approaches Chief Manangatang, and greets him in the customary Bullerian manner:

    “Whoa, Chief Demon Manangatang!

    How, Chief Demon Manangatang!

    Chief Demon, we love you, Manangatang.

    But not in that way, Manangatang.

    You’re always witty, Manangatang.

    It’s kinda shitty, Manangatang.

    No, Chief Demon Manangatang.

    Whoa, Chief Demon Manangatang.”

    They then perform some sort of secret handshake before Proper Gander, whose name means ‘Little Furry Cartoon Who Hides In The Bushes’, turns to me and provides her advice to herself…

    “Dear Proper Gander

    Okay so you’ve agreed to join the SFA for some reason. Just post. Post something, anything. Do not spend all your time lurking the MBD match threads trying to work out what you are expected to do. It’s going to take you three seasons of trying to decipher the rules before the penny drops and you realise you can just do whatever occurs and see what happens. You’re probably quite scared of making a mistake and I know you’re scared of pretty much every single poster on SFA other than possibly Headless. It’s ridiculous. Cut it out directly and BE BETTER.

    Oh and while I’m here, since you have joined the Mt Buller Demons, it might be courteous to check out some background and work out who is on your team before launching a flurry of confused somewhat aggressive posts largely aimed at Tarkyn_24. Yes he is actually on your team you dipstick, not just showing up frequently by strange coincidence. And while on the topic, it probably should take less than two-and-a-half months to make the surprise discovery that cats2rise is your captain.

    I‘ll let you go now Gander to make a home for yourself in the league. I leave you with these three things to remember:

    1. Test Tickle will ask you to participate in his interview series. Do not be flattered. Do not mistake this for achieving some kind of profile in the league. Testy interviews EVERYONE - he will interview you again within 12 months because he’s already forgotten that you have appeared in his media before.

    2. Warriors will make a vague attempt to poach you. See point 1. Its less flattering when you discover that you’re probably the 235th person they have approached in that same week.

    3. Don’t pay attention to the hive-mind - this poster is a flog, that team are w***ers. Make up your own mind. You’ll probably eventually discover that the hive had some sound reasoning going, but at least you got there on your own.

    Best of luck PG, and don’t spend all of your time dreaming of a higher Beez finish then Headless. Realistic goals are best goals.”


    demons 1a.jpg

    The next Demon to respond is Callums_Guns, whose name means ‘He Who Establishes Space In The Marking Contest Using Karate Kicks’. He is a person that’s very family-oriented, so much so that he’s actively making it larger. His advice reflects this fatherly nature…

    “Dear CG,

    You are receiving this message because you just received a message from Yakker, please delete and don't reply.......only joking

    He won't teach you much especially if you don't ask, basics you will need to know how to tag, you may cop some flak from TJASTA but he becomes more helpful then you think.

    Ask your team what a gif is because those little 3 second video things aren't youtube.

    The big one which by the time your 3 seasons in you would've lost your chance to have that someone to teach you to photo shop, you need to fix that !!

    Early on someone will get to you called cooney don't loose your s**t, you will end up buying him a beer 1 day

    Other then that enjoy the ride and remember the scores are random and don't take it too serious

    p.s - Be good to your wife you will never be out of the dog house so be patient, happy wife happy life ;)


    I then make my way to cooney. His name means ‘Shouting Excitedly’. A passionate Red, he has a real flair for showing his emotions to go with his economy for words…

    “Just enjoy the ride!”

    As we exchange woos, Harvey Manfrenjensenden approaches me, whose name means ‘Eater Of Goldfish’. He hands me an iPad. Where he got that from I’ll never know. I read from the iPad…

    “Dear YearOfTheRoos,

    The Love Parade is the greatest piece of media ever produced and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. Stay the course and remember it's all about the.....


    Levels.gif

    One day if asked you can peel back the story like an onion. You're right Elton Johns Wig is a giant cry baby, the Season 25 Rookie love fest is the most cringe worthy thing you will ever know. But whatever you do, do not apologise It will haunt you for the rest of your days.”

    moginie is the next Demon to speak. His name means ‘Oils Ain't Oils’ and, like many of his teammates, provides some quality advice…

    “Dear moginie,

    Do you remember the old saying "It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye?" Well, that's what participating in the SFA is going to be like. You'll meet some great people, some from your own team and some from others but don't get carried away. It's like one of those parties in April at the HiFi Bar - you remember - when everyone present thought that they were the funniest person in the room but all decided to talk at once.

    Don't get sucked in when particular posters taunt you, and then if challenged resort to name calling like a schoolyard bully. But you'll be lucky. By halfway through your second season she will have shat in her nest with so many other people that she won't be around.

    Respect the traditions. They may be as imaginary as the games that are played every week, but a lot of people take them very seriously.

    Post :hearteyes: emoticons whenever you see TJASTA post. He loves it.

    You will enjoy your involvement in match threads with the Bombers. Don't kid yourself that posters from other clubs will respond so positively.

    Don't be surprised if you favour posting against one club as opposed to another. The fact that you can still count your total number of posts against the Swampies and not hit double figures isn't a reflection on you.

    Try not to post drunk. I know that can be difficult at times and I shouldn't be doing it now, but you are really tapdancing in a minefield and it mightn't end up as funny as you think.

    Only one player in your team can post "Wooooo". It's a trademark of his.

    Balance your work within the ensemble. You aren't doing this to get the kudos from other faceless people. You're doing it for a laugh. That was one of the major reasons you signed up in the first place.

    You've got some fantastic people on your team. Ignore those from other clubs who say that you're insular. If they were anywhere near as interesting or funny they wouldn't have to resort to some tired old schtick that was ancient when Whitlam was still Prime Minister.

    The Headless mantra of "Qooty is SO EASY" & Qooty is SO HARD" has more than a modicum of truth. But when you're not effectively doing anything to influence things one way or another just enjoy the ride.

    Re-read every post you type. Don't be afraid to delete the lot. Maybe I should have taken this advice too. But that's what comes from posting drunk. (I did tell you not to! Why don't you listen!!!!)”


    I then feel a hook catch onto my clothes, and the line attached to it pulls me towards a hazy figure. This must be Yakker, whose name in Bullerian means “Fisher of The Blind Mullet”. He reels me in and begins speaking…

    “Dear Yakker (or should I call you Mr 74%?)

    I know you're trepidatious right now walking into a talent packed team with Qooty legends such as cats2rise, Headless , Oddhawk , sausageroll , Smartys Power , sante , Elton Johns Wig , cooney , Rodney Dangerfield, DemonJim all ably led by Van_Dyke , but deep down you feel you belong at this level. Remember, running around in bare feet playing for the Finke River Flatheads has given you the platform you need for greatness. What if I was to tell you you would win the clubs S24 Rookie of the year and the EKA by season end? What if I was to tel you you would win the Clubs B&F and your second Eth award by the end of your second season as well as runner up in the Mobbs to go with your first All SFA selection? Young Yakker, what if I was to tell you that in S26 you would become captain of the greatest winning percentage side in the leagues history and you would go on to win the S26 grandfinal, All SFA selection again and as captain? What if I was to tell you that season 27 you would lead your charges to another finals berth after finishing top of the table and make All SFA again for the 3rd season running? What if I was to tell you you would relinquish the captaincy in S28 and be pushed into an obscure position because your posting dropped away which then resulted in you missing the All SFA side? Add to this that you make the grand final and lose to the Dragons FFS? What if I were to tell you that your dream of finally playing alongside your greatest hero Harvey Manfrenjensenden would become a highlight of your career only to have your heart ripped from your chest upon hearing he is leaving in an expansion bid attempt with fu**en haydo of all people? So have a good think about whether you walk through that door because what may be a short term feeling of euphoria will eventually turn into a bitter, hurtful, anger filled , rage fuelled cesspit of disappointment.

    Signed
    Broken Hearted”


    demons 4.jpg

    Escaping the lure of Yakker, I now turn to Headless who, as his name suggests, does not have a head. Actually that isn’t quite right – he has a head, he just keeps losing it. The King Missile song ‘Detachable Penis’ was loosely based on his life story. His name translates as ‘The Shoulders Are The Interchange Bench Of The Body’, and provides the following insights…

    “H, you're going to become an absolute legend of the league, but here are some things to note:


    • For sake of legacy, do more early. Comparatively, captaincy in early seasons will be (IMO) much easier and less time-consuming than in later ones. Bit of recruiting, bit of team posting. Get it done when you can, because you certainly won't have the energy to do so later. You might even turn down captaincy at one point - don't do that!
    • Instead of investing time posting in other leagues on other sites, post in this league instead. It'll outlast the others and has more history.
    • Media will be king. Be an early proponent.
    • Request the interchange. It's simply the best position.”

    The next Demon to speak is _Cayz_, whose name in Bullerian means ‘Boxy But Nice’. Cayz may be cardboard-based but has experience beyond their manufacturing date, which shows in their advice…

    “I started in S21 at the Furies, went to the Bombers for a season and I think this is my third season for the Dee's now.

    I think i'd tell my rookie self not to take the captaincy in my second season but then we all would have missed out on some quality content. I'd also say post less gifs you ******* dickhead. Honestly I was a terrible rookie, I probably actually belonged at the Swamprats during that time because all I did was spam post and gif.”


    A beep goes off. sausageroll, whose name in Bullerian means ‘Satisfier Of Late Night Convenience Store Patrons’, is warmed up and ready to go…

    “Welcome to groundhog day, rookie.”


    And just like that, sausageroll was finished.

    demons 3.jpg


    Van_Dyke now approaches me. His name translates as ‘De Langste Speler Bestuurt De Kraan’, and has tutored many a rookie as I was keen to hear his advice to himself...

    “What would I tell my rookie self?

    The 1st thing I'd tell him, would be to enjoy the posters at your club while you've got them. Things change, people come and go faster than you might think. After my first season, both of our co-captains had moved on, one to the Royals and the other to semi-retirement and the scene down at the Demons had dramatically changed. For most of Season 21, our team seemed to be myself, Smartys Power, cooney and sometimes okeydoke7 and cats2rise. That season sucked despite our best efforts, but by the end of Season 22 we had turned it around to be one of the better sides thanks to some great recruits and rookies (and BRAB).

    That being said, it didn't take long for s**t to go downhill again with the great Buller coup. The most important thing I learnt out of all that, is when you're looking to bring people in, no matter how bad the situation you shouldn't be bringing people in and making them captain immediately already. If for whatever reason it doesn't work out as hoped, it goes south very quickly.

    At the end of the day, this league is about having fun, and when things are bad things aren't fun at all. The better the people that you can get around the club, the more fun you'll have and it only leads to better and better things.

    I've been lucky enough to bring in some great posters to the club and the league, and having a mixture of bringing in a mixture of rookies, returning players and players from other clubs is very important, and it doesn't really matter how long they stay. The few seasons we got out of Rodney Dangerfield, roo2maccaand the season that we got out of Elton Johns Wig was simply fantastic who have contributed a large amount to the league and what they left behind at the club.

    There's up and downs along the way, but there's plenty of great posters in this league that make it well worth it.

    And never forget,
    #sacksmartys


    demons 13.jpg

    Quivorir, whose name translates as 'He Whose Tardiness Fits In With His Whole Lazy Ass SFA Persona' dances across and sticks his oddly-shaped head into the conversation with a simple piece of advice...

    "Do not become captain of a club."

    DemonJim, whose name in Bullerian is ‘He Whose 1980’s Tom Cruise References Are Elite, The Best Of The Best’, is trying to speak with Proper Gander. He keeps saying “Talk to me, Goose”, but Proper Gander has ejected and is nowhere to be found. Dejected, he turns to me and talks…

    “My time was a bit different TB. I was a pioneer as to what the posting looks like today in the SFA. When I hit the league the posting was minimal and you'd find a few pages worth of match posting. That was pretty much it. We brought the more than 5-10 posts per person in with the activity!

    I wish a had however gone harder at league admin boncer34 at the time because the trolls bid would have worked out, he just didn't want to deal with a bye week!
    S14 was a long time ago so it's hard to remember too much about then.”


    The final Demon to speak is Tarkyn_24, whose name means ‘The Sharpshooter From The West’. He has few points but many goals. He sits me down and provides a worthy contribution…

    “The biggest thing I’d want to remind myself is that this is an escape from reality. Everyone plays it differently, some like to be hard and put on a faux tough guy image and some like to enjoy things as they come. While elements of both and knowing when to talk hard trash is a huge part to the competition, you need to find the difference between sharp and angry and make sure you only embrace the former. At the end of the day, everyone’s here to enjoy themselves and early on in my career I focussed too much on “winning” the banter than just being a happy contributor that would grow others enjoyment as well.

    Also, there is no point to retiring. People burn out and retiring might create that mental line but if you have a passion for the league you will always want to return. The recurring feature is that everyone will have their quieter times but the ones that really care about the competition hang in and ride out the time they spend being less passionate about it.”


    demons 6.jpg


    The Demons then bang on a drum and start shouting out aloud in some sort of ancient drum therapy session. It all looks like new age shithousery to me, so I take my leave of Mount Buller.

    Walking back to the DeWhorean, I process what the Demons stand for as a team. They are a resourceful people who are well led, with a history that can be traced back to the dawn of time. They have every chance of seeing further success in the not too distant future.

    rookie self 37.jpg

    Doc has parked the car in some sort of cave to keep cool. The flog also left the air conditioner on which drained the battery. When I get to the car he tells me to start pushing and says that I’m the flux capacitor now. I swear that for a genius, Doc can be as dumb as a leg of lamb sometimes.

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    Last edited:
    East Side Hawks
  • After pushing the piece of s**t DeWhorean for a couple of hundred metres the engine finally starts.

    bttf car 3.jpg

    I jump in just as the sparks start appearing, when I notice the destination panel on the dashboard saying ‘oh no’. I ask Doc what’s wrong, however I don’t notice that I haven’t closed the car door properly. As the car explodes again, I’m sucked out of the DeWhorean and black out again.

    hawks 2a.jpg

    When I regain consciousness I’m greeted by possibly the strangest sight of my journey so far. I’m lying on a rocky surface when a group of assorted beings approach me.

    hawks 1.jpg

    The first one to reach me – now stay with me here people – the first one to reach me is a scantily-clad angel with the head of a Pokemon. They (I’ve given up guessing genders anymore) are soon followed by a blurred woman, a three-headed thing with a sword in one mouth, a chipmunk, Darth Vader, a cartoon janitor, and Jackson Irvine.

    [EDITOR’S GRIP ON REALITY RIGHT NOW: ]
    seinfeld out.gif

    The angel helps me up and says “My name is por_please_ya. Welcome to The Eyrie.” I begin to respond by introducing myself, however I seem to have temporarily forgotten my name, and my body doesn’t feel like it should. The angels seems to know this, and continues speaking. “It is alright, Boberella. Your arrival has been predicated by The Agent.”

    Boberella. The name seems familiar yet feels really really weird. It is a feeling that will stay with me for a while.

    hawks 12.jpg

    The angel then lifts me up and starts flying towards a city. Gotta admit, this is some serious Wizard of Oz flying monkey areas right here!

    hawks 13.jpg

    On arrival I’m greeted by some sort of city administrator character who goes by the name of Loonerty. He tells me to wait in a room where The Agent will see me shortly. Before he leaves the room, Loonerty warns me not to look into The Agent’s eye. I think nothing of this, as I believe that I’ve seen everything weird there is to see in the Eyrie.

    Wrong.

    WRONG.

    hawks 8.jpg

    Before too long a door opens, and in steps The Agent. A tall figure dressed in a robe, The Agent looks like an average person. If they were cosplaying as Obi Wan Kenobi. AND HAD A GIANT F**KEN EYE FOR A HEAD!!! He takes a drink from a golden goblet, poring the liquid RIGHT IN HIS CORNEA! “Aah, that hit the spot!” he says before turning to me. “Greetings, Boberella. I trust that Loonerty and por_please_ya have treated you well thus far?” I nod in agreement, and ask The Agent what the Eyrie is. He explains that it is the land of the Hawks, a society whose foundations are based upon free love. The original inhabitants were known as Whoreks and were known across the Universe as mad rooters, however the present-day Hawks had evolved to a higher state of consciousness and are more concerned with cerebral matters. Or in The Agent’s words, “We f**k with people’s minds.”

    “No s**t, Sauron!” I find myself thinking.

    hawks 10.jpg

    I go on to explain to The Agent the purpose of my journey, and he agrees that the Hawks have valuable advice to give. We walk into a larger room where the rest of the Hawks are assembled, and I ask them to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    The Agent is the first to speak through that gargantuan eye of his. I swear he’s like a moving Egyptian billboard!

    “Heh. Mine's pretty simple: post more. Or, join when you first thought about it.

    See I didn't really take off until my second season, mainly because I had no idea at the time and back in the day captains didn't really hand hold. So I worked all out in the second season and called brahj a campaigner every week.”


    hawks 9.jpg

    hawks 3.jpg

    I ask Loonerty whether he would give advice. This is what he said…

    “Hello Boberella. Absolutely I will.

    I would tell myself to embrace media more as it's where you really interact with the other posters. Yeah you can be a regular presence in match threads but the wider exposure comes in those non-match threads. That's where all the drama occurs.
    I'd also warn myself that the sim is a fickle bitch, don't expect a win even with a solid 6-7 goal lead and definitely don't worry so much about what position you play.
    Finally, I'd advise myself to move to the Bombers before Haro to prevent this timeline from ever occurring.”


    hawks 11.jpg

    The angel por_please_ya has been following the whole of the conversation very intently, and with great generosity is the next to speak…

    “Dear Porps,

    You are entering the great unknown called the Sweet FA, and you are quite confused, but here are some tips to help:
    1. The amount you post in the match threads has no impact on the Sim whatsoever, much to your disappointment.
    2. You will have your gender assumed many times, but nowhere near as much as fellow rookie
    SarahSmiles.
    3. Your sense of humour is an asset - use it more and don't be afraid to create media threads and put yourself out there.
    4. Be prepared to meet some really awesome people who you really gel with, many from different clubs, and some of whom you will end up meeting in real life.
    5. You will discover Werewolf. In your very first game you will be Mafia and
    Barrybran
    the cereal killer. Don't double-down - trust your gut and get that campaigner lynched.
    6. Despite all the ridiculous drama, you will realise what a fun and wacky place the SFA is - enjoy it and don't take it too seriously!

    With love,
    Your older and wiser self.”


    I then turn to Golumless. A janitor-of-all-trades, he has seen and done it all so any advice from him should be good advice…

    “Four things.

    "Only take up captaincy once, unless you morph into @TheFilthWizard".

    "Furies are s**t. It does not get better no matter how long you stay in this league, how much or little they win, or if you get away from the Furies v Wonders rivalry."

    "Leave on a high note after winning a premiership, you've done everything you've set out to do."

    "Whatever you do, don't decide to be an admin."

    Ok, the fourth comment is something I've been telling myself since day 1. Would ignore the advice for 72 hours if someone offered me it.”


    hawks 4.jpg

    Red mist now appears from out of nowhere and says:

    “Oh hi,
    Everybody knows mine. Just ask about Alex...”


    I decide to err on the side of caution and leave Misty’s advice there, while making a mental note to ask somebody who Alex is at a later date.

    SM then turns my way. Looking like a mermaid statue on the Hull of a ship, SM is solid without being extravagant, as his advice to himself shows…

    “Thinking back on that rookie season, I joined quite late. It would have been nice to join a bit earlier to give the EKA a real shake. The Gumbies were a good choice to start off, but if I could send a message back to myself, perhaps a list of the GF winners wouldn't have gone astray? A few more trophies in the cabinet would have been nice.”

    hawks 6.jpg

    The final two Hawks to speak are Itsmyshow and eth-dog. The former just stood there and breathed heavily. The most normal thing I’ve witnessed at the Eyrie to be honest. The latter removed a sword from one of his three mouths, fed a bag of nuts to a hungry Chipmunk who was new to the Eyrie, and spoke to me in stereo…

    “I actually looked back.

    My first season I was a ten times worse poster. I basically spammed s**t, went to a s**t club (Dragons) and it was a much different vibe around the place, still finding it's niche.

    I'd probably tell myself that you should focus on quality over quantity, there were too many one liners and nothing really of substance."


    He then goes on to say…

    "I think the guys I've seen here that I didn't before have brought a lot to the table, including yourself and Chipmunk, and all the others. I can't wait to see what you write ;)

    This is high praise indeed, and the wink emoji is the icing on the three-headed cake.

    A klaxon starts bellowing, and the inhabitants of the Eyrie leave. I ask The Agent what this means, and he tells me that it’s time for the Hawks to spend time in their sensory deprivation pods. Leading me to another room, he explains that in an effort to repress the urges that they used to have when they were Whoreks, they repurposed their pleasure chambers to sedate as opposed to arouse.

    hawks 5.jpg

    I step inside the pod as The Agent sings me a lullaby. Trying not to notice that a huge eye-for-a-head-having freak is singing to me, I think about my time in the Eyrie and reflect on the Hawks. They seem to always be there or thereabouts. Only question is where the hell there is. Well organised, they are a team trying to escape a colourful past; so much so that their present is weirder than a Hunter S Thompson acid trip. “Can’t stop here, this is Hawk country” I think to myself as the sensory deprivation pod begins to malfunction. Smoke is billowing from outside and sparks are enveloping the pod. I have one more thought before I black out: “Ah s**t, here we go again!”

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    Fighting Furies
  • I wake up, back in the DeWhorean. Doc tells me that I’ve had a nap. I explain my experience in the Eyrie as Doc puts a funny-smelling rag back in his pocket. I ask him what the funny smell is and with a weird sort of guilty look on his face Doc says it’s the plutonium from the engine.

    furies 11.jpg

    We are parked back in town, outside of an old run down theatre. The sign at the front is falling apart. It looks like it used to say ‘THE FURRIES SHOW’, however one of the R’s is falling off the sign, making it say ‘THE FURIES SHOW’. Doc tells me that despite the condition of the building I’ll still find the Furies inside, and that no matter how surly they may act, they are a really friendly group. I leave Doc in the DeWhorean and, not exactly sure what to expect, I enter the theatre through a side entrance.

    furies 6.jpg

    When I enter I see the Furies rehearsing some sort of variety performance. They are putting in a lot of effort and they have all the enthusiasm of a jet-powered monkey bike, but when I step on a creaky floorboard they all stop and glare at me menacingly.

    furies 7.jpg

    “Who the f**k are you, flog?” says one moustachioed man.

    “Hello friend! The f**k are you doing here? I don’t know, I’m new here” says a woman of dubious origin before giggling maniacally.

    The leader, a man with a bulbous head and a suspicious package in his pants tells the others to “f**k up campaigners” and approaches me. “Righto son, what brings you to the Furies Show?” I tell him that I am on a journey of discovery to collect advice that posters from all across Sweet would give to their rookie selves.

    furies 3.jpg

    After consulting with his companions, the bulbous headed man turns back and says “Your Doc’s boy aren’t ya? Yeah alright, we’ll help you out.” His mood lightens somewhat. “My name’s Tigerturbulance, and these are my fellow Furies Ned_Flanders and TJASTA ”. The other two are still scowling, as if somebody has shat in their shoes. “First things first though. Do and take a seat while we finish our rehearsal. He gestures for me to sit in the stalls near the orchestra pit, as he and the rest of the Furies take the stage.

    furies 8.jpg

    Once I’m seated, the theatre lights dim and the Furies break out into song…

    “It's time to play the qooty.
    It's time to flog the flogs.
    It's time to meet the Furies on the Furies Show tonight!
    It's time to love our muscle.
    It's time to get uptight.
    It's time to unleash Fury on the Furies Show tonight.

    “Why do we always come here?
    I guess this much is true.
    It's like a kind of torture
    To share our goon with you.

    “But now let's get things started,
    Why don't you get things started,
    It's time to get things started
    On the most nonsensical, irritational, celebrational, furytational,
    This is what we call the Furies Show!”

    Wow, these Furies have some talent in their socks after all! After they finish congratulating each other I ask them to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    furies 1.jpg

    The first to speak is Tigerturbulance, who is the MC of the team. He is a larger than life presence (245 kgs of presence to be precise), which is exactly what is needed to keep the rest of the team in line, and his advice reflects the gravitas he has with the team…

    Dear Little Turbo,

    You become 245kg of love muscle, 2 x Best & Fairest and the captain of the Furies, can you believe it? In season 25, you just went at it not knowing anything, some may say you were a spammer. Lots of posters told you to EAD and generally found you to be rude and not to their taste, but regardless you kept swinging.

    It’s not all bad. Finally getting an understanding of the SFA and getting to know who the deviate, alcoholic fuelled maniacs are, is even better than you imagined. The ability to push boundaries and buttons and feeling comfortable that a massive pink thing has its place in the SFA; I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

    There are some things I wish you would have done differently, though. If only you had known, then what you know now. That is why I’m writing to you!

    You don’t know it yet, but after you start posting in a
    Tony Lynn 15 thread in your rookie season he keeps lifting the level of noncompliance and you blindly jump in and post until you can only post bondage pr0n to go one up. You get a few weeks off for that, but that’s not the problem, as you see season 26 you go to banhammer prison and S27 and S28. You are a repeat offender and some call you incorrigible. However in writing this letter to the young Turbo I am hoping to make you understand the slippery slope you go on once you activate your Pornhub account and go platinum and the stigma of being an ex-con that you will have to carry.

    I don’t hold my past decisions against myself — don’t worry, you can keep the Pornhub account — but I wish there were some other things I had known. Maybe if you would have posted bondage pr0n without the breasts it would have worked out better? Maybe the post of you running naked with @TestTickle was pushing the boundaries. Having said that, please do not lose the appreciation of the naked form and let the PC crowd control this form of visual art.

    Now, you have a qooty career at the Furies you love and even run a podcast were you get s**t faced on goon and interview guests, asking whatever you like – just not professionally. Who knows, maybe you’ll get there!

    Though you probably should have done some things differently, you’re right where you need to be now. Don’t stop drinking goon, even the stuff Ned_Flanders just brewed an hour ago, get as many free lap dances as you can from kittens, and stay on the drug enhancement program manangatang gets you on, as you will bulk and turn into one huge rucking unit.

    Right now, the SFA is a confusing place and you will be slapped down, ignored and told to EAD by people you don’t know. Do not sweat it, don’t be in a race to be liked, be who you are, post when you want and not for the sake of posting. Stay loyal to the Furies and life gets a whole s**t load better. Trust me, you are going to have a great time, including your stints in Banhammer prison, because you won’t be able to help yourself!

    Just be you, you sick bastard!

    Your Future State

    Tigerturbulance”


    furies 12a.jpg

    Ned_Flanders is the next to speak. The quintessential book that shouldn’t be judged by its cover, Ned may look like a quiet left-handed church-going neighbourino but he comes across as a cranky f**k. Don’t let that fool you though, because just like a goon bag he’s toxic on the outside but sweet on the inside. And speaking of goon bags, he’s carrying one with a ‘Flanders Bitter’ logo on it. Must be his personal stash. He takes a swig out of it, grimaces in pain, then proceeds to speak truth…

    “Dear Flog,
    Right now you're about to quit. You're bored as fu** because every w***er here speaks solely about stupid in jokes, no-one has any time for rookies, and Wacky Tiger sold you a bill of goods and you wanna punch the flog in the neck.

    Don't. It takes 10 seasons, but eventually you overthrow most of the douche bags, burn their f’ed up half hats, and piss off the emo cry baby sooks like
    _Cayz_ to clubs where their chemical romance loving ways are appreciated.

    Yes, you still have to put up with
    Wacky Tiger , and yes the flog still deserves to be punched in the neck, but at least he isn't NaturalDisaster .


    PS. whatever you do, at the end of S29, DO NOT OPEN IT!”

    furies 5a.jpg

    The next to get up on stage is TJASTA. You never know what you’re going to get with TJASTA. Or who. If TJASTA wanted to start an expansion team in the SFA they could use each of their personalities to fill all of the required positions! Come to think of it, the TJASTA Tittybongs has a decent ring to it. Anyway, here is their advice to all of their younger selves…

    “I was a season 24 rookie, but I did not post too much because I only came on BigFooty on the day Richmond was playing. I don't really know I would tell my younger self to do better, the obvious advice would be 'to post more'. But in fairness, I came to the league at a weird time. I guess my advice would be the same I give to rookies now: 'You do you (as long as it does not break the site rules) and don't let other club posters sucker you in'.

    Something to avoid would be not to be vanilla. Don't just be the 'hehe i am a rookie' type of poster like I was for season 24 and most of season 25. Once you realise how the league works, start to develop some form of personality. Ask your teammates about what makes your club different from the other 11 (or soon to be 13) or make something new. Keep the league on its toes.

    I don't know if I anything regarding a post I did and didn't send. I think that stuff comes in towards season 26 :D .”


    I’ve noticed JackBero roaming around the place, being generous with his time, talking with people, and pretty soon he makes his way to me. “G’day champ” he says to me, and gives me the following notable advice…

    “I'd probably tell myself to get more involved in things outside of match threads. What I didn't realise around the time that I joined was how big things like media threads were in the SFA. I thought that it was based pretty much purely around the sim. It was only around the end of last season which I started discovering media threads and found it that it was almost a bigger part of the SFA than the sim.”

    I see Hate in the background, doing the work behind the scenes which, if not done, would make the place fall apart. I wave to get their attention. They nod, smile and give me small wave back before continuing their work. I remind myself of the saying about how loud actions speak before continuing with the rest of the Furies.

    furies 10.jpg

    I then visit This Is Anfield, who never seems to be alone. They have a stately presence yet are very capable of hosting an awesome European night. This is what they have to say…

    “Dear young TIA (well, less old),
    As you leap headfirst into the Sweet FA and spam the s**t out of it, a whole heap of "has beens" and "figjams" will whinge and carry on... ignore them.


    tia 1.png

    Also, don't get sucked into any interactions with sanctimonious campaigners like Son Of God, you'll soon discover that he's NQR.
    In the same vein, don't waste your time with posters that turn nasty and claim "it's only my persona, I'm a nice guy"... as if someone writes their s**t for them.
    Lastly, don't worry about turncoat flogs like Wacky Tiger and Hate as they'll come crawling back to the Furies eventually.”

    Moving on to ChappyUK, my expectations are high as to the quality of advice. After all, Chappy comes from the land of Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Eliot, Orwell and Brontë. What is forthcoming though is more succinct…

    “My first season at the Warriors I played back pocket. I was dragged every week and one game got donuts. Woosh then delisted me.

    My advice would be engage so you aren't put in the back pocket. Active posters get good positions.”


    furies 2.jpg

    Shadow Man is the next Fury to appear. He appears to be a rebel and a shitsitrrer, but like Ned_Flanders is a real softy deep down. He even recited poetry to his younger self…

    “Dear Shadow, welcome to SFA. You are going to start at Dragons, find success at the Bombers before landing at the Furies the place you call home. You will meet a real mixture along the journey, conversing with legend blokes, legends of the game and legends in their own lunchboxes. You will learn to take it all with a pinch of salt and just have a bit of fun. Avoid the the try-hards, encourage the passionate banterers and revel in the company of the genuinely funny bastards. It's not reality and that's kind of the point, mostly this game connects you with some cracking cats from all over Australia who share a common passion in the greatest game on earth.

    We should all be forever grateful to Mobbs for creating a game where you don't have to train :thumbsu::rainbow:

    Enjoy, keep it simple and always remember.......

    If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
    If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much;
    If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
    Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

    And—which is more—you’ll be an SFA Man, my son!”

    I try to find Wacky Tiger, however it seems as though the theatre has a rodent infestation and Wacky’s under the stage planting dynamite. Hope he knows what he’s doing!

    An empty pint glass falls from a balcony and shatters in front of me. Jumping down behind it is Carson Dial. I recognise Carson from my hometown, so we get along well. The dictionary definition of ‘scallywag’ would have his picture in it. His advice covers many topics…

    “My advice to a younger Carson,

    Don't worry how many or how few posts you make. Sometimes they will flow easily and other times they won't, that alright.

    If somebody wrongs you call them out, but be aware of the limits of what you can or can't post. You know what they are.

    Its fine to drink goon before, during and after a Qooty game, but you can run into trouble if you overdo it when posting. BEWARE.

    Enjoy the SFA experience and don't take things too seriously, you're just dealing with a bunch of personas, some nice, some not so nice, but remember its fantasy. There are some really good posters that you can learn from, and the best posters aren't necessarily the one who have been around longest.


    Above all else have fun, but if you get tired of posting, take a break. That's OK too.”

    Carson then goes back to the balcony bar where he is in deep conversation with The Half Back. I wonder what they’re talking abut when I notice movement in a balcony box.

    furies 4.jpg

    In the balcony box are two people who seem to be unable to stop talking. They are Rioli8217 and Grockadoc. After what seems like an eternity, Tigerturbulance calls out for Maurice to come down and rehearse his dance act.

    furies 9.jpg

    Maurice gets up on stage and performs a most intricate dance to a medley of old footy songs. He is as nimble as he is talkative. Like him, the dance seems to be new yet has a long and storied history. Underneath the tiger lies the heart of a bulldog.

    He finishes the dance, takes a swig out of Ned’s goon bag much to Ned’s chagrin, and provides his advice.

    “Don't prematuraly retire...
    jk

    Learn a bit more of the words like campaigner, melt and understand people's posting backgrounds learn to combat their posting.

    Give Barrybran more s**t about not nominating me for after having 30 disposals for two weeks in a row.”


    The curtains fall on the stage and the Furies adjourn to the rfctigerarmy Bar – it’s Wednesday so they’re cracking open the top shelf goon bladders. As Ned walks me back to the side entrance, he leaves me with a parting thought: “We don’t do weird”. I ponder this thought along with everything else I’ve experience watching the Furies Show. They are a team that have seen better days. Victims of their own success, it has taken a few years for them to restore some pride and initiative, and now seem to be on the cusp of something special. And it looks like some of their old swagger is back. God help us all!

    rookie self 38.jpg

    I walk back to the front of the theatre to meet up with Doc, but when I get there I discover that the DeWhorean is gone! In its place is an empty tub, which I recognise as the one from the antique store that used to contain green plasticine. It looks like this journey is about to go from the sublime to the ridiculous.

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    Gumbies FFC
  • gumbies 1.jpg

    There is a snail trail of bright green slime leading away from the old theatre. I follow it down the road, but the trail is too long for me to continue by foot.

    rookie self 39.jpg

    ‘Finding’ another skateboard, I hitch a ride on the back of a car until the snail trail comes to a stop, and sure enough it leads me to the DeWhorean. It’s parked outside of a two-storey suburban house, so I detach myself from my conveyance and walk inside.

    gumbies 12.jpg

    When I get inside the house I find a box full of toys. I pick up the top two, a cowboy and a spaceman. I pull the cord on the back of the cowboy and he starts speaking. “Howdy rookie, how y’all doing?” I ask him where I am and where Doc is. “Don’t you go fretting about your partner none. Now why don’t you tell ol’ Woodybran -” I pull his cord again. “-what brings you round these parts?”

    gumbies 8.jpg

    As I tell him my journey of discovery I pull the cord on the back of the spaceman who then begins talking into some kind of intercom system: “ beez Lightyear to Gumby Command, come in Gumby Command… Gumby Command come in, do you read me?” He then looks up at me and says “There seems to be no signs of intelligent life anywhere”.

    gumbies 16.jpg

    Picking up a cowgirl now, I start spinning the rude spaceman around by his feet, and he starts squealing excitedly. I drop him and the others onto the ground, then tip up the rest of the cardboard box.

    gumbies 14.jpg

    Lots of different toys fall out and land on the floor which seems to activate them, as they come alive as soon as they hit the ground. As well as the cowfolk and spaceman there’s a dinosaur, a dog with a slinky body, a pig, a robot, two Irishmen, a horse, some aliens, a genuine frontiersman and a green Plasticine shepherd girl.

    gumbies 13.jpg

    Woodybran introduces me to the group of toys, who are known as the Gumbies. They are a team that are well used and have seen a lot of love, but now are not quite right. The box they were in had the word ‘Salvos’ written on it, so it seems as though they are on the verge of finding another home. I tell them that I hope that my releasing them form the cardboard box will allow them to stay in the house that they so love, with my only request in return being that they take a few minutes to assist me with my journey of discovery. They agree, so I ask them to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    gumbies 9.jpg

    Woodybran is the first Gumby to speak. A hirsute man who’s seen his share of glory days, he’s now happy to just be stayin’ alive. His advice to his younger self is just as short…

    “You win the EKA and join forces with the person who gets you over the line. Don't change a thing.”

    gumbies 3.jpg

    gumbies 5.jpg

    I feel as though there’s something in that for me, so I thank Woodybran for his time and look to haydo, who seems to be the source of the snail trail. Looking equally enticing and grotesque, haydo is the sort of person that can keep a flock in the one place. And like fellow captain Woodybran, haydo is sparing with their word use…

    “To not trust TheCoach16 and anything he says”.

    gumbies 2.jpg

    gumbies 6.jpg

    beez Lightyear walks up to me with the sort of delusional swagger that only somebody with a media award named after them is allowed to use. His advice belies his swagger however and tells a cautionary tale…

    “Dear beez,

    Remember when ClarkeM introduced yourself to the board and then abandoned you without a second thought? Never forget that. If you live by the mantra, "Do the opposite of whatever ClarkeM does", you'll be fine.

    Signed beez.

    PS. Run. Run far, far away. If you get stuck on this board you'll never be able to escape.”


    gumbies 15.jpg

    The cowgirl named Taylor is the next Gumby to sidle up to me. She strikes me as somebody with an inherent authority, however she has an aura of familiarity that has a settling effect on me. Her advice to her younger self follows a familiar theme however…

    “Oh Taylor, sorry Tayl0r, you stupid girl. They don't care. Just let it all flow, don't listen to FrankstonRover like he is actually trying to hurt your feelings.

    Enjoy the wins more, that first flag will feel like a lucky cake walk at the time but a fluke in the long run.

    Lean into smart arse jokes more, someone out there will get it, eventually.

    Continue to ignore the haters.

    You've got some real bad stuff coming in real life. Brace yourself.”


    I then turn to Rodney Dangerfield, and expect something special from him. He is known for having an outstanding turn of phrase, yet at the same time he strikes me as somebody who has a chip on their shoulder for not receiving either the respect or the esteem that they so constantly crave, which shines brightly in his advice to his younger (much younger) Rodney…

    “I would tell myself to embrace the w***er within and just make it all about me. Demand I play in the best positions, seek attention as much as I could, spit the dummy when I didn’t get it and so forth.
    If you want to be really s**t at this game take the approach I did and just sort of feel your way in, show respect and earn your stripes the old school way.
    If you want to be good come in like a real ******* upstart and the sim will embrace you.”


    StFly is the next to respond and, true to his robotic heart, gets straight to the point…

    “This is my "second phase" in the SFA, I've no real interest in telling my rookie self anything since I did a damn fine job in rebuilding the Gumbies, so if anything the rookie can tell current me to chillax a bit.”

    gumbies 4.jpg

    Making my way to DERO, he looks as if he’s trying to copy his response from somebody else, so when I ask him what he would tell young DERO he simply replied:

    “Dear rookie self, in the future you will be asked to give yourself some advice. So it would be wise to use the time coming up with something good for poor Tonga Rob.”

    I can’t help but agree with DERO and thank him for his input.

    I then look at peterss, Jack The Godfather, okeydoke7 and Jivlain but they are laying motionless on the floor, so I leave them to recuperate.

    Suddenly I hear a shout from upstairs. At first I though it was the sound of a honking goose, but then it becomes more audible. It’s the sound of Doc’s voice, calling me upstairs.

    doc 3.jpg

    I enter a room to find Doc with some orgasmatron contraption that looks like it’s come from the Eyrie strapped to his head. The room is a laboratory, where Doc has been up to his inventing tricks again. He’s been working on a car like the DeWhorean for the toys, which is why the toys invited him to the house in the first place.

    doc 2.jpg

    I ask Doc what the phone booth is in the corner of the room, and he explains that he’s taken the opportunity to make another time machine that can carry more people. He then steps into the phone booth. I ask him where he’s going now, and he simply says “K” before the phone booth explodes like the car and vanishes into the floor.

    Five seconds later Doc walks back in the room with Woodybran and beez Lightyear. It’s time for them to test their new jet car.

    gumbies 10.jpg

    We take the car outside, Doc straps Woodybran & beez in and lights a fuse at the end of a rocket.

    gumbies 11.jpg

    And before you could say ‘occupational health and safety’ Woodybran and beez are shooting across the street.

    gumbies 7.jpg

    They hit a speed bump and the rocket shoots them up into the sky. beez Lightyear jubilantly exclaims “To infinity and beyond!” before the rocket loses power and the brave yet foolhardy duo plummet to near-certain doom. Oh, the humanity!

    Anyhow, Doc is back in the DeWhorean by now and beckons for me to join him. As a walk to the car I think back to the Gumbies. A playful group who embrace living on the border between relevance and obscurity, the Gumbies are the SFA equivalent of Peter Ostrum. “Who is Peter Ostrum?” I hear you read. Peter was the child actor who played Charlie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. After starring in that film he took his chocolates and went home, never to act again. He now plays with horses, content with his obscurity.

    I get into the car and ask Doc where we’re going now and he replies simply with “Home”.

    tbc.gif
     
    Coney Island Warriors part 1
  • The DeWhorean makes its way out of the explosion once again, and we find ourselves parked outside of a convenience store. I ask Doc where we are and again he just says “K”. He gets out of the car and asks me to join him.

    warriors 1.jpg

    I quickly see what Doc means. This is the K Corral, the number one convenience store in Coney Island. Doc has brought me home just like he promised, but the surprises didn’t stop there.

    “Bob, it’s time I let you in on a secret.”

    doc 4.jpg

    rtb 2.jpg

    Doc pulls a skin-tight mask off from his face to reveal that his identity is none other than my team captain and mentor TheInjuryFactory! I ask him whether he has masterminded my journey of discovery so far, and he says “I don't sit here and think I'm a genius. Clearly my fundamentals are strong and we win, but we need to improve to achieve the ultimate success.” I tell him that I’m not quite sure what he’s talking about, to which he replies “I feel like I’ve already answered that question. There’s no magic here, it’s all about unrelenting action. I’ll let the cobblers do the cobbling”.

    warriors 3.jpg

    TIF goes on to say that my journey of discovery hasn’t ended yet. “Action builds convenience Bobby. You can’t head down to Hay Street and buy convenience, can you? There’s no convenience shop.” I tell him we’re literally standing outside a convenience shop, TIF says it’s an opinion business and walks to the other side of the car park. I follow him, baffled with his logic.

    warriors 6.jpg

    We sit down in front of the K Corral, and I thank TIF for guiding me on my journey of discovery and that he has given me some tremendous advice in the time I’ve been in the SFA. I then ask him what he would tell his younger self, to see if there’s anything that he’s been holding out on telling me. As if he’s prepared for this question for some time, TIF looks at me with a knowing grin, pulls out an old photo and a letter from his coat pocket, and starts reading…

    TiF solo.png

    “Hey TiF,

    One day, you will be out minding your own business in the middle of a pandemic, when an early 80s symbol of Americana masquerading as a time machine will appear in a flash of brilliant light, and you will be approached by your star rookie and his peculiar, pedo areas ’doctor’ friend to write to yourself so he can win the EKA to give yourself some advice, so here we are.

    None of that will make any sense of course, but just go with me on this.

    This rabbit hole goes deep my friend, so it’s probably best if I keep it brief. I don’t want to rob you of your sense of adventure.

    Here’s a few nuggets to munch on…




    • There’s a game called Werewolf on this board, you will one day quickly attain Tier 1 status and bring many melts, but you will grow tired of winning and give it away.
    • You’ve joined the best club in the competition, with the funniest, wittiest and most engaging, confrontational posters in the league. But you will never win anything.
    • One day you will become captain of this great club, and your team will be very, very bad at qooty. Terrible even.
    • Here you will meet many great people, but you will also meet many, many dickheads.
    • You will challenge the status quo, much to the chagrin of league legends.
    • You will achieve great acclaim, but mostly in mid-season surveys and not when it counts.
    • Ross Lyon will become a much loved figure once again under your dutiful patronage.
    • You will bring credibility to Fremantle posters everywhere.

    But most of all, you have a lot of fun here, you'll make some new mates and you contribute to what makes the place great. At least that’s what you’ll tell yourself every night in the mirror before you cry yourself to sleep.”

    warriors 7.jpg

    I ask TIF who exactly he meant by my peculiar pedo areas ‘doctor’ friend when he himself was the person accompanying me in my journey of discovery. His reply was as terse as I’ve ever seen from him: “That's the best question you can come up with after two minutes of quality advice? You're quite brilliant, Bob! Yep, terrific.”

    warriors 2.jpg

    Suddenly a flash like a lightning bolt appears from the sky and lands in the other side of the car park. Once the flash subsides what is left remaining surprises me. It is the phone booth time machine from the Gumby house, and out steps a man wearing a trench coat with the head of what I can only assume to be a robot monkey. Strange things are afoot at the K Corral.

    warriors 4.jpg

    I ask TIF who this is. He introduces me to pantsredacted, who has helped TIF to re-stump, re-wire and re-plumb the Coney Island Warriors. TIF tells me that pants is somebody that has achieved all there is to achieve, and has a badge named after him but is so good that he doesn’t need to wear it. Much like his pants.

    warriors 5.jpg

    I say hello to pants, who tells me that he’s happy to meet. Then as if reading my mind pants closes his eyes, reaches back in time to their younger selves, and gives himself advice on what to do in the SFA.

    “Probably not much I would change from my rookie season, I am still happy I chose to play with the Roys, I won the EKA, I secured a prime spot on the team and I did a little media. I was probably the biggest spammer of the season or at least close but who gives a fu** about that, I would think I was quite the s**t poster as well, if I had any regret it was probably not finding the board sooner. So a message to a younger pants, kiddo, you're ******* amazing.”

    I begin to thank pants for his advice, but he isn’t finished…

    “I'll add as well that a good rookie will get offers from other teams. I left the Roys fairly early and returned that same season during trade week, you get the idea that things can only be more fun elsewhere but that's not always the case, when weighing up whether to stay or go really take a look at your current surroundings and see if you see yourself advancing where you are or fast tracking an advancement elsewhere, but also don't be scared to tell your current team what you want or would like.”

    I quickly thank him before he cuts me off again, still grateful for his advice. I tell him that he has been like the big brother I’ve never had have had but never saw have had and saw lots of in real life and got into all sorts of adventures with. He says “Happy to brother”.

    warriors 8.jpg

    I start telling TIF & pants that my journey of discovery must surely be over now, when all of a sudden another flash descends from the heavens, and a second phone booth appears! Once the fireworks stop the phone booth opens and, to my astonishment, there’s a s**t ton of people inside. Two figures step out and before I can say ‘this is pretty f**ked up right here’ I’m looking at another TIF and another me!!! I ask the original TIF what the hell’s going on with these other versions of us. He says “He’s like Might and Power – just give him a tickle on the ribs and away he goes”. Not knowing exactly what he means once again I start giving myself a tickle on the ribs, and the others follow suit. Guitar music plays from out of nowhere as we riff on our air guitars for a good 30 seconds.

    warriors 9.jpg

    The other Bob looks at us and says “Listen other Bob and TIF, you don’t have much time. Collect the Wazzas, get the advice and save the lignum mulieris meretrices!” I turn to the original TIF with a confused look on my face and he whispers “Whore Tree” into my ear. The other TIF then points to pants and says “Listen to this robot monkey thing, he knows what he’s talking about!” They talk with pants in private and re-enter their phone booth before it falls into the ground somehow in a pile of sparks.

    I really f**ken hate sparks by now!

    warriors 10.jpg

    pants then steps inside the remaining phone booth, picks up the handpiece and starts dialling in a number in the keypad. As TIF ushers me in I ask where we’re going, to which he replies “Anyone, anywhere, anytime”. The outside of the phone booth erupts in a now-familiar explosion as we start on hopefully the final part of my journey.

    warriors 11.JPG

    Looking out of the phone booth while it’s taking its roller coaster ride through time, I start to think back on the season that’s been, my first in the SFA. This gives me a sense of belonging during a turbulent voyage, but before too long we’re brought to a sudden halt as we land back on ground.

    warriors 12.jpg

    Our first stop is back in the Wild West. As TIF opens the phone booth door pants excuses himself, saying something about having a boys club meeting to attend. So TIF and I make our way to a saloon that I recognise as being The Ant & Wig. I look for the Wonders but are unable to find them, apparently they secured a last-minute invitation to an online tournament. I go to ask TIF about it but he just shakes his head and says “Failure is feedback Bobby”.

    warriors 13.jpg

    Just then a cowboy stands up and says “Lookin’ for a qooty player partner? Well look no further, harry000 the Kid at your service”.

    warriors 14.jpg

    Harry walks over to us. TIF asks him to join our team, and Harry says “If you beat me in a game of cards then I’m in”. TIF replies that we’re a no excuse qootball club so that will be fine.

    warriors 15.jpg

    Well Harry is a gun card player and TIF is pretty good as well, but I had a trick or two up my sleeve. Literally. When Harry called Uno I threw down a Wild Draw Four card. Harry lifts his head back and laughs. “You got me, I’m in. You’re cold blooded Bob! I like you. You remind me of me when I was a rookie. I remember it as if it was yesterday.” He then starts giving me advice as if I’m a younger Harry the Kid. Harry the Infant if you will…

    “Dear rookie harry000

    Don't listen to Barrybran you can post as little or as much as you like and still be a legendary little devil.

    Also, if the whore tree isn't satisfying your needs the gals over at the Furies are the easiest WAGs in the competition. If you're feeling something a little classier head up Mt Buller and bring the cocaine instead of the K. Doing lines in a ski resort hot tub off of a rich WAGs cheese platter IS LIVING.

    Stay away from TJASTA he is a weird stalker and will take residence in your wheelie bin if you give him attention.

    Cheers

    Older more awesome harry000”


    warriors 16.jpg

    The three of us make our way back to the phone booth. There’s a note left behind by pants that says “Don’t wait for me. See you back on the Island”. So we get into the phone booth and TIF dials us to our next destination.
     
    Coney Island Warriors part 2
  • warriors 17.jpg

    We land at an ancient marble temple, where somebody that looks suspiciously like Bloodied52 is talking to a group of other robed people named Morganashlee, candiehappy and Papa Juggs. TIF tells me that this is zackah, and we have arrived in the middle of a Wazzas history lesson. In fact, it seems as though zackah is telling the others the same advice that he would give his younger self…

    warriors 18.jpg

    “little zackah it is with great pleasure that I write to you as one of the out and out superstars of the competition. You will be pleased to know you regularly receive offers to join rivals clubs in return for sexual favours. Your career is filled with highs and lows including such highs as being awarded a fisting award in your rookie season...calm down you little degenerate not that type of fisting...to multiple pwned trophies and terrible lows such as being on the receiving end of the greatest cheating scandal in SFA history robbing you of a rightful premiership in just your second season. And despite years of sharing a whoretree and locker room with Freofalcon you somehow manage to stay disease free.

    But if there was just one piece of advice from my wisdom I can part to you I recommend that you...and I cannot stress this seriously enough you little flog...do not, I repeat DO NOT get drunk and post finger selfies at midnight in your team thread.”


    warriors 20.jpg

    After a brief discussion with the others, TIF escorts zackah to the phone booth. We get in and kick this bastard love child between Telstra and Doctor Who into action. It starts getting a bit cramped in there, and the velocity of the travel throws us around a bit.

    warriors 21.jpg

    We next land on a city street. A horse and carriage is making its way past us as a figure in a grey suit carrying a cane walks towards us. TIF recognises this as Sigmund Freofalcon and, like the others, he instinctively knows that I am after his advice to his younger monkey god.

    warriors 22.jpg

    “To my dearest younger Falc.

    There is going to come a day when you will be beach fishing, on a lovely Sunday morning, with RU_ and he is going to mention participating in an online game known as the SFA. He is going to excitedly explain how much fun it is talking gobshite all week. You will explain that’s what the bay if for. It’s better than the bay he will reply. On a Sunday some computer algorithm simulates a game of footy and you all sit on the edge of your seats waiting for a result. You’re going to think to yourself why you would want to. Sounds like something a bunch of basement dwellers who like the taste of their own bellybutton lint would do. But you will give it a crack and you will join a team called the Roys.

    Fast forward a season of doing fu** all as it’s all a bit s**t really, you will get the call up from the Wazzas. You will join and be a part of a wonderful group of posters. No one takes this thing too seriously and we can all take the mick out of each other and of ourselves. You are going to meet some people through this thing and you will always be appreciative about that.

    There’s not really much more I can tell you. Besides the handful of good people you will be acquainted with, the rest of it is like watching a Freo game. Yep, Freo are still s**t. Don't get your hopes up. The SFA does kill a few minutes a day but then again so does having a s**t.

    Oh and by the way, you be asked to go and get Nandos one night in the not too distant future. Do not leave your wallet and phone on the roof of your car when you drive off, you twat.


    Love you long time.

    Older, fatter and greyer Falc”


    warriors 23.jpg

    harry000 the Kid has had enough of this psychobabble bullshit so he lassoes FreoFalcon into the phone booth, and away we go again.

    beethoven 1.jpg

    The next place we go to is what looks like the set of some period drama you find on SBS at 11pm. Really decadent areas.

    warriors 24.jpg

    And holding centre stage is Dinsdale, where he’s reciting his advice to his rookie self to the audience…

    “Dinsdale! wake up when you're talking to me.
    This is your future self, writing back to me at the start of your rookie season in SFA.
    Some info for you to have a hopefully better season than I did/do/will.
    - The Warriors are undoubtedly the best side in the comp, you won’t regret joining them instead of all the others who were/are/will be after you.
    - the sim is reported to be purely random, it doesn’t take into account...well…anything really, when deciding outcomes. but a certain RJB pointed out that true randomness can only come from the quantum level and you already know/will knew this, so their random generator is compromised.
    - don’t spam the game match threads, it will get you nowhere but annoyed.
    - your team will start with 3 good wins, but then crumble in a heap, don’t worry, a premiership will come soon, don’t ask you how me knows.
    - some players to keep an eye on. TJASTA is a positive PAI. The Bombers are the spammiest. Harry000 will disappear in mysterious circumstances.
    - start a competition based on the SFA, it will be the best, much better than tipping or anything, call it Margin Mania.
    - don’t go near anyone with a cough or sore throat, and get enough brewing supplies to see you through about 6 months of not being able to go to the pub, so 3 tonnes of grain etc.
    - when you try out the time machine be careful, it only works once.
    - sorry I'm not giving you any lotto numbers, that would make life too easy.

    Cheers
    You/Me.”


    Dragging Dinsdale away from his fan base takes a lot of effort but we finally get him into the phone booth, and the journey continues.

    warriors 25.jpg

    We next find ourselves in an old church. Somebody is praying on their knees, saying “I said God, I said Lord, I said God, I said love…” They introduce themselves as comewhatmay, and say to me…

    “It’s not real.”

    I offer my hand and drag them into the phone booth, before TIF gets it going again.

    warriors 26.jpg

    Now the next stop in my journey of discovery is a bit far-fetched, but go with me on this. We land in front of the Saint Helena Island Bowlarama. We go inside where it seems as though NaturalDisaster is enjoying his exile a bit too much. He’s on his way to a score of 270, and letting the local kids know all about it.

    warriors 27.jpg

    In between bowling he’s throwing in advice to the kids, believing that somebody on this remote island may be able to take over his legacy…

    “Alright S22 ND, listen up.

    Your posts are awfully cringey and horrible, get better.

    You don’t get the league now, but eventually you’ll get to know the stories, the history, the people. Have some patience.

    Do not take s**t personally or serious. Everything said should be taken with a grain of salt, see that guy
    Noobz0r? He will try to get under your skin, don’t give in!

    Be nice to
    fumbler
    , he will be your captain one day.

    Oh and, if you’re going to request an account ban, let your captain know you inconsiderate *******, and don’t do it only hours before team sheet submission deadline.

    Do these things, and one day you might be something.”


    We approach ND and explain that by taking him with us he will no longer be in exile. He responds by throwing a bowling ball at the kids and shouting “SO LONG LOSERS!” and before too long we have another Wazza in the phone booth.

    warriors 29.jpg

    The phone booth now lands in an office where there’s an open door to a second room. Inside that room two men are talking. TIF says that one of them is BEEG, who he describes as a straight-shooter who doesn’t stray too far from goal. I squeeze out of the phone booth and overhear what BEEG is telling the other man…

    “My main advice is try to be a character who is similar to yourself, find a couple of senior posters and learn from them how they post etc.

    That's my main advice and obviously don't take yourself to seriously.”


    warriors 28.jpg

    I grab him and give him the Tokyo subway treatment into the phone booth. TIF’s having trouble dialing in the next destination but gets there in the end.

    warriors 30.jpg

    We next find ourselves in a North Korean yurt, where a Warrior of old is talking to a group of women…

    “Firstly, how the hell am i still a notable poster? Is the league really that bad?

    I would tell myself to not join the SFA.”


    TIF tells me that this is DapperJong. He is handy with weapons of all sizes, from baseball bats to missiles.

    warriors 31.jpg

    I tempt him to join us in the phone booth by dangling a Mandu in front of him.

    warriors 32.jpg

    By now the phone booth is pretty chockers. TIF admits that he’s no longer fully in control of it, saying “It’s never as good and never as bad as it seems”, so we all collectively push it through the space-time continuum.
     
    Last edited:
    Coney Island Warriors part 3
  • warriors 36.jpg

    The phone booth lands next in a forest near a castle. The clean air fills our lungs after being cooped up in the phone booth. That is until the waft of a native fart permeates the air.

    warriors 33.jpg

    I begin to blame the fart on zackah before the real culprit waddles in our direction – a rare fat-arsed wombat. TIF tells me that this the Frankston Rover, a legendary creature whose advice I would do well to take in. I nervously approach Frank, thinking that somebody with such a storied history would have no time for a rookie like me. On the contrary however, he generously plays along with my request to give his joey self with wisdom gained over many seasons…

    “Dear Frankie,

    Congratulations on your debut. The Koalas are a fantastic club, one that I'm sure you'll love being a part of for many years to come.

    Just kidding, they fold in about 12 weeks, a giant steaming mess of a club. You'll then create the Sharks, who are an underrated club that deserved better.

    You'll become a premiership player at the Hawks and then, after a brief hiatus, you'll produce your pièce de résistance, the Coney Island Warriors.

    It's a wild ride but please try and remember these three Frankston rover Top Life Lessons:
    Lesson 1: The sim is a campaigner but the sim is always right.
    Lesson 2: Don't take it too seriously. You will though.
    Lesson 3: If it's not fun, don't do it. It'll still be here when you want to come back.

    As for regrets, none really except my behaviour in a certain Royal Rumble. Sorry
    fitzroybowiedog.

    Regards,

    Future Frankston Rover
    Hall of Famer and General Big Deal


    Pretty soon TIF poaches Frank into the phone booth before walking towards the walls of the castle with me, where pantsredacted approaches us. He tells us that it’s time to pick up the women. We ask which women he’s referring to, he says “Why, Wooshette and Cadaver of course. Here they come now.”

    warriors 19.jpg

    Pants goes on to tell TIF & I that the advice provided by Wooshette & Cadaver is best expressed as a vindaloo – fiery, full of fresh ingredients, can make you sweat, are better if prepared properly rather than being rushed, and has the potential to make you s**t yourself if you’re not used to them.

    warriors 37.jpg

    We introduce ourselves to the women. They ask us if we like vindaloo and we reply by saying that we love it, but TIF asks them to leave the coriander out as it is the Kanye West of herbs. Wooshette tells him to “put up with it, flog”. TIF says that “It’s not ideal, we support the person and challenge the behaviour” and eventually agrees. Cadaver then says that to come with us on our journey of discovery, we need to obtain the approval of the lord of the castle, so we go inside to find him.

    warriors 39.jpg

    warriors 38.jpg

    We soon find Lord roo2macca, and after greeting him in the traditional rib-tickling manner, explain our journey of discovery. With alcohol on his golden breath, he tells us that he’d be happy to help and, tilting his head back and roaring with laughter, he provides some advice to himself…

    “Dear rookie2macca,

    Haha, get it? I made a pun on your name by adding kie to the end of roo!... moving on then.

    You've come a long way since your first season back in 18. A club hopper, a utility, being part of a leadership group but there's a few regrets you will make. The Dragons with the S20 NWO was great value and it give you a flag (albeit a tainted one) but the quality would go their own ways and you'd be stuck with alcoholics and posting pics of redheads on Wednesday. You needed to leave them sooner!

    Then there was the Demons. Not too shabby. Then a leader at the Gumbies who constantly missed team submission deadlines. Wake up!

    All in all, a good time will be had but out of the Dragons you will be glad. Nice rhyme! I've had some beers though speaking of...

    Maybe It's the beer talking but you got a butt that won't quit, they got these big chewy pretzels yfrerddd l ui 8 tdds what $5? Get outta here.

    P.S I am gay”


    As pants leads Lord roo2macca and the women back to the phone booth, TIF feels compelled to head down to the basement. I let him go ahead of me, thinking he needs to use the toilet. He calls for me to follow however, saying that he’s found somebody else. “Besides,” he continues, “I don’t flush anything down the toilet”. Weird flex but OK.

    warriors 40.jpg

    We walk into a dimly-lit basement with a large table in it. At the far end is sitting Smoooothy, a jovial figure despite his menacing appearance. He says that the basement is locked and to escape we need to defeat him in a game of Qattleship. I open the basement door and tell him that he’s full of s**t, but TIF says “there’s no witch-hunt here” and tells me to stay as Smoooothy has some advice to share…

    “smoooothy old mate, there is one valuable piece of advice I would give your younger self - don't join the bombers. the culture was awful and it wasn't a good fit for you. be lured to the whore tree my friend

    (smoooothy played 1 cracking season for the bombers back in around season 15, finished 7th in the BF and should have won the team rookie of the year award but was passed over for Shermy from memory - not that I’m dirty about it)


    hope that’s suitable”

    warriors 41.jpg

    Thankful for the advice given, I agree to play Qattleship. It turns out Smoooothy isn’t a very good Qattleship player. He just kept calling “B-4” each turn he had, and TIF would keep replying “I feel like I’ve already answered that question”. After the game reaches its inevitable conclusion, we convince Smoooothy to join us.

    warriors 42.jpg

    When we get back to the phone booth it looks as though Dinsdale is giving the others some pills of dubious origin, for which there is an eager customer base. He tells TIF and I that the pills will help with coping with the turbulence of time travel. I ask TIF whether this is true, and he tells me “I left my crystal ball at home.” We cram back into the phone booth and leave the castle.

    We land in a shopping centre car park, and once everybody piles out of the phone booth I quickly recognise where we are. I see the K Corral, and behind that Van Cortlandt Plaza. We’re back in Coney Island! TIF, pants & I head to the Whore Tree while the rest of the Wazzas make their way into the shopping centre.

    ent 1.gif

    Making the short walk to Van Cortlandt Park, we get to the Whore Tree just in time to see another tree run away.

    warriors 43.jpg

    Looking at the Whore Tree itself, it seems to be weary. It has lost its leaves, its bark is pale and there’s some sap dripping down to the ground. I ask TIF and pants whether the Whore Tree is alright. Pants says “Absolutely! In fact I think you’ll find that thanks to the gENTleman visitor that just left, our Whore Tree is now with sapling!!” I turn to TIF to ask whether he condones this behaviour, and he replies by saying “I sit here very comfortable with my integrity and my honour”.

    Assured that the Whore Tree is safe, we check back with the rest of the Wazzas in Van Cortlandt Plaza, and it seems as though they’re enjoying themselves…

    warriors 44.jpg

    warriors 45.jpg

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    warriors 47.jpg

    warriors 48.jpg

    TIF gets the Wazzas together, thanks them for helping me with my rookie year and sends them away to start their off season training. They all laugh collectively before waving goodbye and head to the Coney Island Arms for a night of Wooshette's vindaloo and Dinsdale's homebrew.

    warriors 49.jpg


    As this is happening, TIF takes me aside and asks me what my thoughts are on the Coney Island Warriors as a team. I tell him that we are in some ways a contradiction. Our history is individually diverse yet collectively shared. We can be turbulent, and like coriander not to everybody’s taste initially, but with a bit of time (and some of Dinsdale's pills) there’s nowhere else you’ll want to be. And with the Whore Tree expecting, the future’s looking bright.

    bob & tif.gif

    I tell TIF that that there’s one last stop for me to make before I finish my rookie year, so as we say our farewells with some aggressive air guitar* TIF throws me the keys to the DeWhorean. “Make us proud, Bobby” he tells me. As I step into the car for one final spin I reply that I’m just taking it one post at a time.

    tbc.gif






    [*EDITOR'S NOTE: I am merely a padawan when it comes to making pictures. TheInjuryFactory is the GOAT, as this gif shows]
     
    The Non-Aligned
  • I start the DeWhorean and put my foot on the accelerator. It feels lighter than I expected it to feel. I enter some details into the dashboard to get to the final stop of my journey of discovery but, unbeknownst to me, somebody has stuck a banana in the car’s tailpipe.

    non 4.jpg

    This makes me mad. Just as I’m about to get all sparky and travel to my final destination the car backfires and I’m sent off on a different trajectory.

    non 2.jpg

    When the sparks clear I find myself in a barren wasteland.

    non 1.jpg

    I get out of the car and wander around. The place has a palpable sense of foreboding. Debris is strewn across the ground. The air is acrid with lingering smoke. I’m trying to place where I am. It seems to be some sort of post-apocalyptic dystopian future that, disturbingly, has a real familiarity about it.

    non 3.jpg

    A low rumbling drags me from my musings, which gets slowly but inevitably closer. I look up to see what it could be.

    non 5.jpg

    non 6.jpg

    A convoy of vehicles is fast approaching me. The DeWhorean is too far away from me by now so I run, but before too long I’m captured.

    non 7.jpg

    They strap me to the front of one of their cars and put a mask on me. I look like Hannibal Lecter wearing a gimp mask.

    non 8.jpg

    One of the marauders gets out of the car and looks at me with hungry eyes. As somebody shouts out “Josh don’t!” he gets closer, and is about to spoon me when I manage to break free. Josh slips off the moving car and falls underneath to his doom, with the grisly vision of his downfall too much to bear.

    non 10.jpg

    A strange looking unit, equal parts handsome and grotesque, stands up from his moving vehicle and bellows “Leave this one alone. He is Aligned. The next person to touch him ends up like Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense. Dead. The Spoiler has spoken” The others agree, and before too long we’re taken to a makeshift campsite.

    non 9.jpg

    The assorted figures get out of their vehicles and approach me, with the one they call The Spoiler out in front. “I know who you are, rookie. You seem like a Usual Suspect, but you play the role of both Verbal Kint and Keyser Söze simultaneously. Do you know who I am?” I say that he’s The Spoiler. “That is what I’m called now, but back when I was Aligned I was known by another name”. He stares blankly into the distance when I ask him what that other name is. “I’m getting to that, Robert. Like the iceberg that gets to the Titanic and sinks it. When I was Aligned I was known as HaroLad. I was once a Leader of Qooty players, but now I am Non-Aligned. So me and my Non-Aligned kinfolk here are looking to re-integrate into the SFA and TROJAN HORSE THE s**t OUT OF IT!!!” The rest of the Non-Aligned erupt in unison, chanting “TAKE BACK SWEET! TAKE BACK SWEET!”

    I ask HaroLad how they plan to re-integrate. He says “Like The Truman Show, the Non-Aligned will assume positions within the town of Sweet itself without the SFA’s knowledge. We will be recruited into existing teams, set up expansion clubs, or otherwise sit on the sidelines and comment whenever people talk about the ‘good old days’; all the while controlling the media narrative”. I then ask when they plan to commence this re-integration, to which HaroLad laughs menacingly and replies “My dear foolish boy. It has already begun. All I need to do is to execute Order 66 and the Jedi SFA will fall”. I wonder whether he’s telling me too much. “Wouldn’t be the first time” he says. Sensing an opportunity to continue my journey of discovery here, I ask the Non-Aligned to close their eyes, reach back in time to their younger selves, and give themselves advice on what to do in the SFA.

    non 14.jpg

    Not surprisingly, HaroLad is the first to tell me his advice to himself.

    “Hello friend. I would tell them the following:

    • Don't piss off ClarkeM
    • Make friends with the right people
    • Don't worry about winning the EKA or anything, it doesn't matter
    • Don't worry about impressing people, it doesn't matter
    • Always put your team and teammates first. Your conduct reflects on them. They are the only people that matter.
    • Don't start any media threads until you have been in the league at least a few months. Just don't.
    • Don't piss off ClarkeM
    • Don't blatantly insult people or set out to piss them off. Do it in an intelligent, considered way which they will appreciate.
    • Always turn the other cheek
    • The league doesn't matter. Just have fun and enjoy the posters you like.”
    non 15.gif

    The next of the Non-Aligned to speak is iBeng. A straight-shooter of some notoriety, iBeng is aiming to return to the SFA in the form of a Serpent. This is what he has to say…

    “So, what would I say to my young, fresh faced season 16 Rookie self? Would I tell him to run for the hills before I became the spammer I did early? Or hang on until I won both my back to back FREDs, which no one has one back to back since or before? Or hang in until I get the chance to captain and then change and s**t all over the history of a club in a deluded attempt to fix the connection it had with Essendon at the time? Or just hang around until I peter out with my effort after jumping club a few times?

    I would probably tell myself to...not take it as seriously or as real as I did back then. I often had issue finding the line between what was normal banter and what was outright antagonism. And to realise I couldn’t reply to every single attack and just because I didn’t reply didn’t mean I 'lost' despite what I was usually told. My first season was a bit of a tricky entrance, and a lot of the new rookies of that season are still considered some of the best the game has seen, although I don’t include myself in that sentence. I didn’t make a great original impact. Maybe I was trying to be too like Okeydoke7 and not forge my own image. Dunno.”


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    BRAB is one of the newest of the Non-Aligned. An astute judge of horse flesh who isn’t shy of an opinion, he was thrown out of the Eyrie’s Moon Door and lived to tell the tale. His advice is appropriately cautious…

    “Dear BRAB,

    Get out now while you still can.

    The reason it doesn't make sense is because it doesn't make sense, but the longer you stay the worse it'll get. Those weird incest jokes in season 22? Nothing compared to the vile s**t you'll see by season 28.

    You'll be the best poster in league history and they'll still hate you. They'll ban you to keep you from a Mobbs, they'll silence you for calling out a corrupt admin before he was even the admin.

    You'll keep going, because it's what God intended. You don't have an ego, you're just more in tune with reality than anyone else will ever be.

    You'll take the league by storm, it won't be worth it. You'll win everything there is, it won't be worth it. Your final act? Delisted by someone even more socially awkward than you. You'll feel as empty at end as when you started and the only reward will be a FRED ******* medal.

    Run now, before people make fun of the way you run. Fly away, before they take your wings.

    You are the biggest victim in the league and you were too pure for this world. You'll hate what you become. Run away before you look in the mirror and see a soulless husk.

    Still more personality than Ant Bear though.

    Regards,

    What's left of BRAB.”


    HaroLad then tells BRAB that he is ready for his next assignment. “My brother, it is time to infiltrate Gold City. For the Non-Aligned!” BRAB replies “For the Non-Aligned!”, and he departs.

    non 16.jpg

    Millky95 appears as if from out of nowhere. An agitator from Pennsylvania, he is currently trying to bring new blood into Sweet. He doesn’t say much in terms of advice, but what he says Counts…

    “Do more media and main board threads outside of your team thread and match thread. Would give you some more exposure to have a chance at winning the EKA.”

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    At this point CazC30 walks up to HaroLad and says “This rookie isn’t from where he says he’s from, so I’m here to let everyone know his true origin”.

    rookie self 41.jpg

    Clutching a Tongan drivers license of dubious manufacture in my fist, I say that I have no idea what she’s talking about. HaroLad believes me, saying to Caz “Oh yeah? And next you’re gonna tell us that the chick from the Crying Game is a man!” and orders Sterge, Daniel1812 and bgt2110 to take Caz away.

    NinjaSwan is another of the Death Valley frontrunners, and provides this advice before gracefully leaping backwards onto the top of a vehicle…

    “Probably the main thing would be not to be so concerned with how opposition posters perceive you.”

    I now turn to xenxen, who looks to be the epitome of a sleeper agent. So much so that nobody knows what xenxen’s next assignment is. Not even xenxen. Their advice however is as genuine as it comes…

    “Dear my rookie self,
    Please do not spam in round 6 against Team Pump/Demons and do not get involved in a fight with Hawks in round 7 (which resulted in getting traded). Please do not take everything so personally and seriously and to just have fun and enjoy the journey of being a rookie. The Roys are a welcoming bunch and if you need a place to get away, look no further than Uncle Tony’s House.”


    Just at that moment I feel a chill down my spine, as if the ghost of a fallen Bear has walked behind me. I turn to see what it could be, only to catch Tiger God walk around a corner and out of sight.

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    That leaves one final Non-Aligned. His name is AceAndrew69, who seems to be some sort of tough guy parody of an overworked admin, whose brand of bravado can only be responded to with an equal and opposite force of bravado. I duly oblige by walking up to him and saying “Bastard! You have advice that your tadpole self would want. No f**ken way you were born fully formed. Tell me what advice you would give to your rookie self, swamp man”. And true to form he replies in kind…

    “A tadpole you say? I was born as I am just a lot smaller, and a bastard at that. My dad, a dragon king and my mum a village whore.

    If I were to give advice to my younger self it would have been to murder my siblings earlier.

    My quarrels with them just robbed me of time that could have been spent making myself more awesome.

    AceJeremy666 especially as I let him live well into adulthood, underestimating his cunning, he tried to assassinate me in my sleep but I heard his footsteps and bit off his head, hanging his body from my bedroom window for all to see.

    But I digress, my message to my younger self is: trust no-one, don't take a backwards step, the world is yours for the taking. So take it by any means necessary. And don't let that little bitch AceAndy stand in your way.”


    HaroLad now takes The Non-Aligned away to plan the next phase of their cunning re-integration plan. Walking away from their makeshift campsite, it slowly dawns on me that it was set up to be a post-apocalyptic hellscape set inside a national park on the outskirts of Sweet. HaroLad turns to me and yells “It’s just like that film The Village. The monsters outside of the campsite were our fears all along”. The Spoiler strikes one last time!

    non 17.jpg

    There’s one final surprise as I head back toward the DeWhorean. I hear some muffled cries from a cave just outside the Non-Aligned camp. I go inside to investigate and discover a group of children alongside a camouflaged reindeer thing, who introduces himself as Muddiemoose. He tells me that the cave is a battery farm for rookies, and as part of HaroLad’s these children have been bred to be meat shields for expansion teams. He introduces me to Fletcher16, Birdiebee, JR#8 and tony. I also notice a familiar Chipmunk in the group. My paternal instincts kick in, but before I can do anything about it HaroLad enters the cave and says “Good morning Bob. What are you doing, Bob?” I tell him that these proto-rookies need to be free range. HaroLad replies “I’m sorry Bob. I’m afraid I can’t do that” in a creepily monotonic voice, so I whisper to Muddiemoose “I’ll be back for you” before leaving the cave and returning to the DeWhorean.

    non 18.jpg

    I check the car’s tailpipe for any more errant bananas and, once satisfied that nobody else has done me dirty, I get in and turn the ignition over before speeding off. I’m late for my own graduation.

    tbc.gif
     
    The Season 29 Rookies
  • After taking a quick convenience stop behind a tree, I punch in the co-ordinates for Sweet Qollege and turn the key to start the DeWhorean.

    Nothing happens.

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    I say a silent prayer and try again, with the same result. So after kicking the car and calling it a farkoff, I call Doc / TheInjuryFactory / whatever his name is to see what could be wrong with it. He asks me to check the fuel gauge, which I do. I tell him that it’s sitting on amber, and TIF asks me to tap it with my finger. When I do, it turns red and starts flashing. I ask him what fuel it takes. He replies with one word: “Piss.” I tell him that I’ve only just relieved myself, to which he tells me that “You’ll have to wait and make more as it’s the only thing that the DeWhorean urines on!” before giggling for a good 30 seconds. Questioning him, he reminds me of how the Mount Buller Demons were urinating on the DeWhorean’s wheels and explains that the origin of their unique greeting comes from ensuring that a car is fully fuelled. I mean sure it’s an environmentally friendly way to run a car, but why urine? Surely TIF’s taking the piss.

    “No Bob, but the car will!” is his response.

    TIF then asks me where the bloody hell I am, as the rookie graduation ceremony is about to begin. I look at my watch and say that I have an hour still. TIF says that the measurement of time isn’t the same when you’re travelling in a time machine, before calling me an “ill-conceived buffoon” and explaining that even a shitgibbon understands the complexities of time travel. I then say that I can just go back in time and arrive before the ceremony begins, but I’m told that this is expressly forbidden. A young rookie named Santoz tried this previously, and not only was he excluded but it aged him terribly.

    grad 2.jpg

    He then says that he’ll get pantsredacted to film the ceremony while I ‘refill’ the DeWhorean and tells me to hurry up and get to the ceremony as quick as I can.

    So while I sit and wait for my bladder to populate I turn on the dashboard screen of the DeWhorean and tune into the graduation ceremony.

    grad 7.jpg

    It has begun, much to my dismay. A voiceover says “Live from the Blindeye Memorial Auditorium at Sweet Qollege, welcome to the Sweet FA Class of Season 29 Graduation Ceremony”. The team captains are on stage along with Ant Bear, Mobbs and Bloodied52. Kennedy Parker and beez are performing an interesting rendition of the national anthem – apparently our home is “qirt by sea”.

    Ant Bear then gives a welcoming speech on behalf of the SFA Leadership Group and explains the order of events for the evening. He and Mobbs, as League Admin and Founder, will introduce each of the graduating class, who will each give a speech describing their rookie seasons. Then Bloodied52 will award the Rising Star Dux of the Season on behalf of the Rising Star Committee, and finally Ant & Mobbs will award the Season 29 Valekadictorian. I sit there contemplating the bitter irony that for all the time and effort I have put in to collect advice to rookies, I miss out on the opportunity to give my own advice.

    I feel a slight murmuring inside of me. Thinking that I may be ready to urinate, I step out of the DeWhorean and, making sure that nobody else is around, I stick my… uh… ‘nozzle’ inside the fuel tank. The smell of stale piss hits me like only the smell of stale piss can. It is at this point that I hear a voice from behind me” “Are you f**king your car?” I quickly adjust myself and turn around to see Muddiemoose. I explain that I’m trying to refill my car so I can get to my graduation ceremony. He thinks that I’m trying to actually get the car pregnant, and asks to come with me once the car gives birth to a little baby car and then we’ll be able to drive off in DeWhorean Jr once it’s grown enough. Before I can answer him the voice of BRAB screams in the distance, and Muddiemoose retreats back to the camp of the Non-Aligned.

    grad 4.jpg

    Feeling no need whatsoever to pee anymore, I sit back inside the car and turn my attention again towards the screen showing the graduation ceremony. It looks as though a few rookies have already been up on stage including iGNITER, Randomizor, BlueE, jusjoshin, Leviathan Pie, Drunken Wookie, Bastyy, Rich the babe Evans, windyhill and biaseddustyfan.

    The next rookie to be introduced is Bovo who, with a stick thin figure and a round head, looks like a grapefruit on a toothpick. He wobbles up on stage and gives his advice…

    “I had always planned on being an arrogant prick but it seems I am not good at that. I’d probably tell myself to work on my prickfulness.”

    The next person to saunter up on stage after being introduced is TalkingFootyNow1223, who wasn’t sure that they fit the criteria but after some reassurance began to speak…

    “Something to do better:
    At the start i would comment on everything in a high veracity with very little quality. If i could go back and study some of the SFA's quality posters and learn some tricks before diving in head first would of been handy.

    Keep away:
    There is only one person that jumps to mind and I’m sure 98% of our Qooty world would agree and that person is WW19 for reasons already known.

    A post that should not of been sent:
    The start of the TFN trade sage started based on one message sent from me to Bazz, if i could tell young rookie TFN anything it would be stay loyal and don’t be persuaded by the essence of time.”


    Mego Red is the next rookie to take the stage. One of the more subdued members of the rookie cohort, he’s a bit of a joker once you get to know him. He says the following:

    “Anyway you can engage is okay. Some weeks, you're not even going to want to open BigFooty, and others you're going to love the distraction. It's all fine.”

    Ant Bear then calls Maylandsman up on stage. I’m not sure what to expect from a tiger wearing a face mask, but his advice is grrrrreat!

    “Remember what Dad always said;
    You look with your eyes not your hands and
    Use your head, it’s not there to keep your ears apart.”


    One of the many rookies from Fremantle, Piggy Smalls is the next one to be congratulated by Ant & Mobbs. He takes a few seconds to think about a response before providing some sage advice…

    “Support your team mates no matter what in the match threads and don’t let your ‘rookie’ status dissuade you from taking on the veterans. I’ve noticed a lot of the match thread banter goes over my head as a lot of references are made to previous seasons and player movements. As a rookie it’s hard to find a way ‘in’ to the conversation. Sometimes you’ve just got to find anything to latch onto to get involved.

    Be ruthless, be parochial but also be respectful of the opposition. I also try to mix in a fair bit of humour. You’ve got to be able to take it as well as you can give it and you need to not take it personally. At the end of the day we are all just footy fans looking for a bit of a lighthearted outlet during the week.”


    Crusty Undies is on stage before Piggy can get off. He sure looks to be on a mission and, accepting the congratulations of Ant & Mobbs leaves us with the following advice before exiting the stage just as quickly…

    “If you have something funny to say, say it.”

    Following on from Crusty is bone2468. A more recent addition to the rookie group, bone is just as succinct…

    “As it’s my first season in the league I can’t contribute much as I’d like, but advice I’d give the rookies coming into next season is to not take s**t from anybody, always give as good as you get so you don’t become a push over and targeted.”

    Ant then introduces jezzajay onto the stage, who pushes through the crowd with an interesting gait that shows that he’s the sort of guy that walks to the beat of his own drum, a trait that I appreciate. This is reflected in his advice…

    “My memories not all that great so I can't recall anything of significance that I regret.... or am proud of!
    Kinda wish that whilst I had the spare time I did get stuck into the opposition a bit more. I guess I was just getting a feel for how things operate around the game week chats etc. I had a couple of older opponents players try to spook me but I managed to stand my ground and throw it back at them...happy with that!
    I guess some advice is to just do your thing and don't hold back...no one else on here seems to hold back so why should I/you. Don't be so tentative...tell them what you really think. And that will all flow into game day. Your teammates thrive on what you give...so give it!”


    Cap is the next rookie up. If there was somebody who were what it says they are on the can, it’s Cap. I mean a bear that plays for the Bears? Come on! He’s another that is contemplative when approaching the lectern…

    “Advice, hmm. I wish I had put most of the Furies on ignore from Day 1, and probably got more involved with the broader SFA environment, I've enjoyed team Banter but slowly getting up to date with the broader stuff like the Media stuff.”

    Cap’s teammate Lemon Boi replaces him on stage. A well-dressed piece of fruit, Lemon’s advice is as specific as it is peculiar…

    Dear Lemon,

    Most of these people don’t look like their avatar.
    And they’ll confuse you by changing it every few days/weeks.

    Rookie of the Year nominations aren’t just given away.
    You’ll have to bribe the Powers That Be with delicious longies.

    Regards, Lemon Boi"


    The next rookie to be introduced is Cesoir who, like the Fremantle forward that he resembles, has promised to break out and take the competition by storm only to leave us with tantalising glimpses of what he is capable of. He takes the stage, and says the following:

    “Well, I've had a think about this and there's really not much advice I would give myself except to have fun and not take anything on here too seriously. There's always a few "oldies" who try to push the newbies around but it's generally all in good fun and if you bite back in the right way it can be quite entertaining. The one thing I love about SFA over and above most of the other forums on BF is that loyalties are to your SFA team and not to your AFL team. There is rarely any of the AFL inter-club nastiness, and it's great to see banter between fans of bitter AFL rivals without the inevitable descent into the usual club tropes.

    Above all else though, give as much s**t as possible to anything related to the Baghdad Bombers - they are an absolute disgrace.”


    He then drops the microphone on the ground and walks off stage. He may have tried to mark it on his chest, I don’t know.

    GremioPower is the next person to be called up, and he sambas his way to the stage. Representing the Brazilian precinct of Sweet, he joined the competition late due to legal reasons, which was unlucky for both him and for us. Something must have been lost in translation though, because instead of talking to either the dignitaries or the rest of the rookies, Gremio starts talking to himself. A premiership-winning rookie is allowed such indulgences.

    Dear GP,

    So you have decided to finally accept
    Ant Bear
    's invitation and join the league. Good!

    Yes. No worries, mate. You will like it. People here are as mad as you are. They are your kin. Listen to the advice of those close to you that are more experienced, check threads here and there, relax, and enjoy.

    The Rats are a great bunch. You will feel welcome here. Don't even think playing anywhere else.

    Ultimately, you did it all right, kid. Thank you!”


    Continuing the international theme, Chipmunk is the next rookie up. Equally adept with calculating odds as he is with stuffing his cheeks with nuts, Chip arrived on the shores of Sweet as a ten pound pom and has not looked back since he set foot here. He tells the audience the following advice…

    Hey, person bored at work in London on Valentine's Day.

    Already planned your evening and got a few minutes spare? Maybe it's time to join that AFL forum you said you would every year. Maybe you think it's a good idea to call yourself by a cute animal name. I'm here to warn of what will happen if you do:
    1. You will wonder why Australians call chipmunks Caz.
    2. People in the UK will wonder why you have animal pictures and gifs on your phone.
    3. There will be a horrible pandemic in just over a month which will ground everyone.

    However, you'll find this community full of exciting experiences. And werewolf. Try things! Stay close to your rookie group, they seem destined for great things. Oh, and don't worry about whether you will tell them when you next come to Australia, it'll work itself out.

    From future Chipmunk.
    P.S. If someone called Chief asks you to form a chess club, it will take a lot of your time.”


    The phone rings, and TheInjuryFactory is on the other end sounding worried asking where I am. I tell him that my bladder isn’t cooperating and ask him to distract Ant Bear and Mobbs. He tells me to leave it with him, hangs up the phone, gets up on stage and proceeds to tell a story about the three things he has learned this season. At the end of the story he receives a standing ovation from the dignitaries and audience, however my bladder does not want to oblige. It seems that I’m destined to miss my own graduation ceremony, so I sit back down and watch the screen.

    The anticipation in the audience is starting to rise, as the last of the rookies are being announced. Ant calls up GWS Goose, who removes a tin foil mortarboard from his head, steps on the stage, and starts to speak…

    “As we approach the end of my first season of SFA, there a number of things I'd love to tell day 1 Rookie Goose. Firstly, you made a good choice, although it looked like fun from the outset, any apprehensions on being involved enough are misplaced. Firstly you'll be involved more than you think, and the level of activity is greatly varied. So don't worry about the time commitment that is flexible.
    Choosing the Gumbies was a great choice. It is probably the best fit personality wise (along with a couple of other choices), Picking a team that was rebuilding allowed greater involvement without feeling like a newcomer overstepping the mark.
    Also the Over the course of the year you'll get better at the balance between being yourself and having a chat and being in character. If in doubt, fall more on the side of yourself, you'll find you enjoy that more anyway. But don't ditch the faux cocky persona completely. Early in the season I stuck primarily to the match threads, if I had my time over I would explore and be involved more in all the other media threads much earlier. That aspect of the SFA greatly improved the overall experience once involved. Befriending the fellow rookies was a great idea, not only are most of them good fun, it assisted in getting the hang of the place.
    Day 1 rookie Goose, by the end of the first season, you'll be grateful that you were tagged into a post about the SFA on the Giants board and the SFA has provided some good entertainment, enjoy the ride.”


    I’m then called onto stage. As the other rookies look around to see where I am, Ant Bear asks TheInjuryFactory where I am. TIF tells Ant about my journey of discovery to obtain rookie advice for future generations, and that the car has run out of fuel which has made me “a wee bit late”. Everybody in the auditorium laugh. Being called up to the stage now makes me realise two things – I’ve spent more time finding out what advice others would give than I have figuring out what advice I would give, and that I won’t be receiving any rookie awards from the SFA. Completing the journey is its own reward though, and I still need to do that. Besides, impregnating a DeWhorean is more important than the recognition of my peers right now.

    Ant Bear then introduces Bloodied52, who spends the next 25 minutes talking in great details about the Rising Star competition, the complete history of Carthage, his 10 favourite aqueducts, the workings of the Roman Senate, the best fabric to use for a toga and how Pythagoras “got it wrong”. Sections of the audience were left astounded.

    ronaldo speech.jpg

    ronaldo speech 2.jpg

    It’s only when Ned_Flanders yells out “GET ON WITH IT FLOG!” that Bloodied finally announces that the Rising Star Dux of Season 29 is PurpleGreenRed. As the winner approaches the stage GWS Goose complains that geese are close enough to dux so he should have won.

    grad 3.jpg

    Mobbs hands the tricoloured winner with a medal and proceeds to give his acceptance speech…

    Thank you...



    I don't really know what to say...except I couldn't have done it without Mooch, Mobbs (well actually he was more of a hindrance on the park) Runk



    I Dont Care Allikat Beandip and my fellow Rookies Mego Red and the unfortunately left out windyhill



    I am honoured to be recognised in such a way despite not getting paid for the last 17 weeks as promised by TedDougChris and I Dont Care drinking all my whisky.



    I hope to finish off my season with a couple of BOG's leading up to and including the Grand Final…



    On a note to fellow nominees.... take care of GWS Goose at the after party... he'll look as if he's been sucking on a lemon (Not Lemon Boi ) and thank you.





    Mobbs then asks him whether he has any advice to give, and this is what he has to say…

    “I don't know mate. I just went into it with the mentality of trying to contribute and follow the leads of the established guys. So really my letter would be shore and along the lines of:

    PGR... Notes to self on what to do in the SFL

    Don't be scared to interact.
    Take the time to interact and contribute! Lurking drains you… so much to read!
    Be kind (generally) but don't be afraid to (lightly troll) the opposition team members, your team mates and yourself

    And learn to drop gifs.

    Do this and you'll have a good time,

    PGR (older wiser but still as funny)”


    As PurpleGreenRed is escorted off stage, Ant Bear then talks about the final award of the ceremony, the SFA Season 29 Valekadictorian Award. Apparently it’s named after an Eagle, which automatically gives it 40% less value. Ant’s starting to get tired by the sounds of it. He’s slurring his words, getting people’s names wrong and for a moment thinks that we’re in season 28. He receives his moment of clarity though when he announces that the Season 29 Valekadictorian is serial_thrilla.

    grad 5.jpg

    The audience erupt in celebration as Thrills is called up on stage to receive his award. My bladder feels ready to give, but I stick around and watch the rest of the ceremony out of respect for a worthy Valekadictorian winner.

    grad 1.jpg

    serial_thrilla is congratulated by Ant Bear, Bloodied52 and AceAndy. Mobbs places a medal around his neck and invites Thrills to the lectern to give a speech.

    Thank you all for the messages of congratulations. It's always humbling to be appreciated by your peers, and to win the EKA in this batch of rookies is no mean feat: several of them could have won off the back of their efforts this season and been worthy winners. In particular, Tonga Bob, GWS Goose, Chipmunk, Lemon Boi and GremioPower have been extremely active in this season's media, and are valuable additions to the SFA.



    Big love for my Dragon buddies, and especially AceAndy for recruiting me. You're all a bunch of good eggs who are a pleasure to run on the park with every week.



    I promise not to nuke my account next season. That's a serial_thrilla guarantee.

    Mobbs then asks Thrills if there’s any advice that he’d like to give, which he does utilising the screen at the back of the stage.

    “Hi there serial_thrilla from the start of this season. I'm you from near the end of the season.

    thrills 1.gif

    You're in for a whacky few months, so here's a few pointers to help keep you on the straight and narrow:


    • Stock up on a couple of 36 packs of toilet paper. Maybe some pasta, canned tomatoes and hand sanitizer too. Now. You'll thank me later.
    • Come about early March, short sell as many airline shares as you can afford.
    • >>> insert previous points <<<
    • Use the PM function often. As noted earlier, most people are playing up a persona on here, but they'll general drop the act and be happy for a chat in private.
    • SarahSmiles is actually a dude.
    • At some point you'll feel compelled to construct a media post exploring the reaction quotients of every SFA player (you'll understand what this means later). For the love of everything, make sure to take into account that reacts only came in around 2011. The veterans are particularly prickly about this.
    • Be nice to AuntyBlindEye. Maybe don't harass him to hurry up with the Rising Star Award?
    • The rest of Bigfooty turns to crap over the next few months, so you're making the right move."
    The music starts playing to get Thrills off stage, but it only makes him double his verbal efforts.
    • Don't go in too hard too early; if you make an ass of yourself it's hard to shake that rep. Stick to posting in team PMs and match threads for a couple of weeks before you understand the lay of the land. Then branch out into media once you're comfortable.
    • Learn a little bit about the history of your club. You may think this is just a bit of fun, but the veterans of your club have been involved with it for years. Check out the club history threads in the archives, and ask questions in your team's PM and match threads.
    • Try not to get illegally traded to the Bombers a few weeks into the season.
    • Want to play a better position on the qooty field? Ask your skipper what you need to do to earn it.
    • Be careful what personal details you share: people have been known to be doxxed.
    • Create your own brand: there are dozens of rookies each season, so make sure to stand out from the crowd. Are you a spam merchant? A gif specialist? The foodie? The stats nerd? The aggressor? The music nerd? The Photoshop wizard?
    • If you hear the term "teaser pony" being used about you, embrace it! You're clearly earning your team's trust.
    • If you are talking about someone in a thread, ALWAYS tag them.
    • Know the power of the react. Even the grumpiest of pricks enjoys seeing a few love and LOL reacts in their notifications. Throw a few of them around to win over a friend or foe.
    • If you get an invite to join something called Werewolf, fob it off as long as possible. 90% of requests to delete SFA accounts are due to Werewolf-related incidents.
    • Bond with your fellow rookies. They're the only ones who won't initially look down their noses at you for being a lowly rookie. It's also your best chance to get a feel for the inner workings of other clubs.
    • If you ever get an offer to appear on a podcast, do NOT turn it down. Poddies are sacrosanct here.
    • If you want near unanimous praise on SFA, rip on the Bombers. They'll kick up a fuss and spam disapproval, but 11 other teams will agree with you.
    • If you are a Bomber, start talking to opposition captains about a potential trade in the next off-season. Being part of the swarm is one way to not develop any individuality.
    • Realise that at the end of the day, most people in here are playing a character. Don't take anything seriously or personally.
    • Do NOT mention real AFL unless prompted.
    grad 6.jpg

    Ant Bear then concludes the graduation ceremony by thanking Mobbs, the Rising Star committee and the SFA Leadership Group, and congratulates the graduating rookie class of Season 29 by inviting them all up on stage. He then announces that the festivities will continue with the Graduation ‘Enchantment Under The Sea’ Dance on Saturday night. I’m about to turn the screen off and return to the fuel tank when I notice something in serial_thrilla ‘s hand.

    bttf almanac 1a.jpg

    It looks like a copy of the Sweet FA Sports Almanac that I got at the antique store. I rummage through the DeWhorean to confirm my suspicions, and I cannot find it anywhere. Ideas start going through my mind as to what this could mean, when my thought processes are interrupted by my bladder. Opening the fuel tank and doing the needful, I realise that if everyone will be at the dance on Saturday I may still have a chance to give my advice after all.

    The DeWhorean won’t be the only thing that’s full of piss.

    tbc.gif
     
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