Autopsy Geelong defeated by Tigers by 31 points.

[Seeds]

Yeah, in hindsight and with today's preparation I'm sure they'd slim him down. He got huge the last couple of years in musculature. Lost a bit of zip.

In 95 he only came back for the prelim after missing the previous month injured because his name was ablett. In 94 he was only marginally better. In the game against carlton (where he kicked 6 or so goals) he could not run by the time the finals started. but he still could wrestle his opponents and was far too strong for hanna. But it wasnt the ablett with speed and a leap.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

This is absolute nonsense! You can speak for yourself, but you can't tell people that they have lost sight of what's great about footy just because their reaction to footy is different from yours.

There is absolutely nothing wrong or embarrassing or shameful over having your day ruined by football. We invest emotionally and financially in our club and when things don't pan out of course a lot of people are going to feel upset. Some may even feel as though their day is ruined! This is perfectly normal. I would go so far as to say it is human.

I actually have far more respect for people who can admit that their day was ruined by footy than those who are too cool for school to admit that they are in pain when a game doesn't go their way.

I had a great time at the Gabba last night and I am so proud about how our club handled this crazy year, but I'm not about to shut people down for being upset over the outcome and being brave enough to be vulnerable and admit as much.

Maybe some people have more important stuff going on in their life to cry about a result of a football game.

 

[domus]

My comments were sincere and genuine.

I feel emotions like everyone else, and ride the emotional rollercoaster that sport provides.

But I have also gone through the greatest loss that anyone can suffer, and it has shaped my perspective.

Life is fragile, precious, short. It doesn't give you much time to live, love, laugh, cry, enjoy friendships, make a mark, be a mentor for your kids, and it doesn't guarantee good health.

Perspective.

Sure, we hurt when we lose, and I admitted to that. But at the end of the day the hurt of a GF loss does NOT compare to the depth of feeling when, for example, you're diagnosed with cancer, or god forbid, you lose a child.

That was my point, and I assure you that my sentiment is as sincere as can be, and molded by many, many years following footy and the scars life has inflicted.

I respect your perspective. I lost a leg to cancer thirty years ago, three years after my young wife lost her eye to cancer. I have lost a younger brother and both patents within 3 months of each other when both were relatively young- 68 and 72.
I grieved all of these experiences and many others but my emotional investment in the fortunes of my club has never softened or wained.
I don't see why the scars life inflicts on all of us should somehow diminish our passion for things that once stirred our blood to boiling point. If that's called wisdom and maturity I'm happy to remain stupid and immature!
But clearly we are simply different people. All the best.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Maybe some people have more important stuff going on in their life to cry about a result of a football game.

2020 has been the great leveller and eye opener for perspective. So many in this country lost their jobs when covid broke out, some still don't have anything to do. 3rd world countries would be worse as they don't have as good governmental support. So many cases this year of covid related mental health problems as well. been working in an essential service business all winter and the toll is getting heavier. For staff and members of the public alike.

Personally seen my uncle die of cancer in April, an aunt diagnosed with brain and lung cancerous tumours, with little prospect of living. Now also found out my grandmother likely won't make it to 2021 (tbf she has lived a long and fruitful life). Hard to muster any anger over last night as a result, it is what it is, football is here to entertain, and I'd say the cats did that for us this year. Onwards and upwards in season 2021.

 

[Cataholic]

I respect your perspective. I lost a leg to cancer thirty years ago, three years after my young wife lost her eye to cancer. I have lost a younger brother and both patents within 3 months of each other when both were relatively young- 68 and 72.
I grieved all of these experiences and many others but my emotional investment in the fortunes of my club has never softened or wained.
I don't see why the scars life inflicts on all of us should somehow diminish our passion for things that once stirred our blood to boiling point. If that's called wisdom and maturity I'm happy to remain stupid and immature!
But clearly we are simply different people. All the best.

It's not that it necessarily diminishes your sporting passion, but for me it does, and should, give you perspective on what really matters in life.

On the totem pole of life your sporting passion is, should be, imo, some rungs below other much more important stuff. And when you're smarting after a loss that should be remembered. Hence my original post........

Just as I have always encouraged people to be humble in victory.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Maybe some people have more important stuff going on in their life to cry about a result of a football game.

I'd say every single one of us do. But you can care and be emotional about more than one thing at once.
Your not a bad person if you do.

 

[Cataholic]

I'd say every single one of us do. But you can care and be emotional about more than one thing at once.

True......but the nuance is the priority / perspective, and the opinion that footy is not, should not be, the single most important thing of all in life.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I'd say every single one of us do. But you can care and be emotional about more than one thing at once.

Mate I was in the midst of committing suicide a month ot so ago only to be walked in on at the wrong time. Football results are the least of my problems. And it would be the same for others.

 

[Cataholic]

Mate I was in the midst of committing suicide a month ot so ago only to be walked in on at the wrong time. Football results are the least of my problems. And it would be the same for others.

Hey mate...... You've got your priorities heading in the right direction, and I admire the courage of your admission.

One step at a time mate, focus on the small achievements each day, and don't hesitate to reach out, share the load. You have something to offer like the rest of us, and your family / friends need you.

Keep your chin up. You're doing great already.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Mate I was in the midst of committing suicide a month ot so ago only to be walked in on at the wrong time. Football results are the least of my problems. And it would be the same for others.

Sorry to hear that. Not sorry someone walked in at the wrong time or you wouldn't be with us though.
Obviously the least of anyones problems really but a footy match and other kind of meaningless things can make you feel good/bad.

 

[Johnny Cattery]

Yeah, except for when he was too gutless to take a set shot from 25 metres out. Wow, I'm impressed. Not.

Suppose you can't blame him though when our veteran full forward does the exact same thing

Does it ever occur to you he might be even more upset about it than you are?

 

[ninjahcat]

Obviously they're very good, that goes without saying.

They ain't pantheon-level quality though like the post-match narrative will suggest though.

Geelong of 2007 would f***in destroy them.

 

[ninjahcat]

Hawkins dropping those chest marks after he'd done the hard work getting rid of his man was super disappointing

Especially after bringing it home with Stevie J 9 years ago on the same stage.
heck, if we somehow manage to get there again last year they better be burning like the cats of 2009 were

 

[Sticksman]

Yep, 2013 was it for me. Anything after that has been a bonus.
Can't see us winning a flag for a good 20+ years now.
Geelong tend to do their thing in waves and then go into severe drought mode for decades on end.

This is a ridiculous comment. We were in a GF and led by 22 points last night before getting overrun by a powerhouse team. To suggest we won't win a flag within the next 20+ years is amateur dramatic hour material.

 

[AM]

Thanks goodness for Melbourne Storm. Has made Saturday's disappointment a little easier to take.

 

[Munich]

You could see it in Richmond's eyes. They were down by 3 goals and not of them looked unsettled or fearful of the situation. Having been in that position countless times over the years, they knew full well only a quarter of footy would be enough to get the match back on their terms. I'm sure they didn't expect to flip the game on it's head in just 15 minutes but with a full half still to be played, they would have felt confident even down by 5 goals at the long break.

I noticed at half time they were looking relaxed and patting teamates and we were doubled over gasping for air.

 

[Munich]

As an aside what did everybody think of a night GF?

I'm hoping it was the first and last - did not feel right at all.

 

[AM]

As an aside what did everybody think of a night GF?

I'm hoping it was the first and last - did not feel right at all.

Think you'll be disappointed. Odds-on it'll either be night of twilight. Hate twilight.

 

[Cosmic Energy]

I get it, but if that's the case why does the winning team always carry on like the found the cure for cancer, homes for the homeless and a way to bring an end to all wars? The sun comes up the day after you bury your dad too. Your dog still licks you when tragedy strikes. Life goes on when thousands of people get wiped out in a natural disaster. I know you are being magnanimous and a good sport, but I have always felt this kind of rhetoric hollow. Saying footy matters and winning premierships matters even more isn't a sign of shallowness or poor prioritizing. I remember after the 2002 grand final loss, a photo of Licuria and Malthouse weeping in each others arms was published. It drew a fair amount of criticism. One woman wrote : how can these grown men cry over a stupid game of football, when there are wars going on and starving babies dying? I thought it was a ridiculous comment.

It isn't a contest. Clearly, both Malthouse and Licuria have suffered great loss in their lives as have most adults of their age. Does the fact Malthouse wept over a game of football mean he places that defeat alongside the death of his parents or health of his kids? You cry about the wasted effort and investment being for nought. You cry because another opportunity may not come your way. You cry because you feel you have let won your supporters/family/friends. Fans cry for similar reasons. You ride every bump and goal in rain, hail and sleet week in and week out. You are heavily invested in the journey and its outcome. It's often a family tradition too. I am the fourth generation of Collingwood supporters in our family and now have a grown son who is as passionate as I am and grand kids who proudly wear the colours. All of this makes footy more than a game. It connects and binds us to our tribe. It doesn't make sense. It isn't logical-but the raw passion and sense of connection is very real.

Have you never leapt into the arms of strangers who just happen to be wearing the same colours you love when you win a thrilling finals clash? I have kissed rough looking men on the cheek and hugged total strangers many times after big wins and they have reciprocated. It's insane and it's beautiful. That kind of euphoria is as big a high as anything I have ever experienced.

I wept when my mum and dad died. I cry when I watch sad movies. I cry when I say goodbye to my class at the end of each school year. I have cried when Collingwood lose GF's. There is no contest. it isn't an either/or. I recall Barrassi saying one of the greatest joys in his football career was seeing the old North fans coming up to him and the players with tears in their eyes and saying, "Now I can die happy!"

Family and friends are the most precious thing in our lives. After that, it is simply a matter of what direction your passion lies. Football matters. It wouldn't be a multi million dollar industry if it didn't. Music matters. Art matters. These are the things which make life worth living.

Sometimes I think comments like yours are an attempt to soothe wounds or shy away from the reality. Either that, or you are a supporter who sees the game as a way to pass an afternoon while you chat with friends. A bit of fun, a form of entertainment. Fair enough. For me and many others we have no control over how we feel when we lose a grand final.

I know I have rambled but I often hear those words spoken by people who don't seem to get the depth of feeling a person can have for their club and it's success and failures. Check out the Richmond board and see balanced and philosophical they are the morning after!

You Geelong fans are the most gracious, accepting and fair minded I have come across on the Big Footy forums. Sorry for your loss. I was barracking hard for the Cats.

That’s a terrific post and I think you’ve captured the spirit of football beautifully there. Thank you! I was thinking this morning - why do I care so much? And that my life would actually be so much better if we’d won, there’d be so much joy to soak in. It’s crazy and silly, but it’s real, too. I started to think how I’d just give following the game away, it’s just a bit painful.

But I know when there is a glimmer of hope that I’ll be back again. And there is always hope

 

[Munich]

Think you'll be disappointed. Odds-on it'll either be night of twilight. Hate twilight.

It was shit and didn't feel like a GF at all. Felt more like rugby final with the fireworks.

Yuk.

 

[AM]

It was sh*t and didn't feel like a GF at all. Felt more like rugby final with the fireworks.

Yuk.

I'm just reading the tea leaves. I think both Gill and his board are keen to move to a night GF. The 'G' would be a much better proposition than the Gabba to put it on. That said, so long as it's not twilight I'm not fussed.

 

[goyoucatters]

As an aside what did everybody think of a night GF?

I'm hoping it was the first and last - did not feel right at all.

It was always going to feel surreal. And, at the ground, the atmosphere and experience they created for the entertainment were very effective.

But I still entirely agree that the day grand final feels so much more how it should be. For all the success of building night games into the overall AFL schedule, I still find they have some sense of being a 'novelty' when compared to what we have known traditionally.

Reality is, though, we might have moved to a place where the tradition of day games is becoming so isolated (for example, how many AFL games - let alone finals - are actually played during the day now) that the new generations watching the game just see it as archaic and no longer 'familiar' at all. To the point where the day game becomes the novelty, and the night game becomes the preferred timeslot for every 'big' game.

And as TV dollars continue to call the tune, I wonder how the collapse to mercenary decisions based on nothing more than how many advertising dollars will be reaped can be realistically avoided.

 

[goyoucatters]

I'm just reading the tea leaves. I think both Gill and his board are keen to move to a night GF. The 'G' would be a much better proposition than the Gabba to put it on. That said, so long as it's not twilight I'm not fussed.

For those like me who prefer the retention of the day GF, I believe the 'best' we can hope for now is the twilight grandy. Like you say, I don't fancy the prospect at all. But I believe that will be the minimum shift Gil and his crew insist on for next year and beyond. And even that would only be a bridging station to their ultimate goal. The 'rivers of gold' flowing from an annual AFL night grand final.

 

[Baudolino]

Think you'll be disappointed. Odds-on it'll either be night of twilight. Hate twilight.

Yeah twilight sucks.

I have less issue with night Grand Finals though.

 

[And_ROOS]

How many times can we keep beating the same drum that Scottball does not win pressure finals and that his only success in finals is due to what Thompson set up?