Footballing circles were left stunned on Saturday, when a Collingwood supporter maintained a realistic and objective outlook on the 2001 season.
Jack Smith, 31 of Fairfield, was heard talking to a Collingwood supporting friend on the Saturday morning following the Magpies' big win over West Coast last Friday night.
In response to his friend's assertion that Collingwood were 'premiership certainties' and 'would win the next ten flags straight, no doubt about it', Mr Smith was heard to respond "Hang on mate, it was only the Eagles".
Mr Smith apparently continued in a similar, non-hyperbolic fashion. "Look, we're a young team that's improving, but there's still a long way to go until we're premiership material."
"Look at the ladder. Yes, we're much better off than at this stage last year, but we've only beaten Carlton and Port Adelaide above us, and we fell in both times. I'd want to see us knock off at least two of the Blues, Essendon, Hawthorn or Richmond in the second half of the year before I start talking about flags," Mr Smith continued.
"I just think that Essendon are a bit too good for us this year, but with luck with injuries and recruiting next season, we might be ready to make a challenge for the top two."
Following his sensible, measured appraisal of Collingwood's form, Mr Smith was smuggled into a van with a big '9' on the side, and spirited away to a secret Richmond location for what insiders were calling a "re-Ed-ucation".
Upon his release Mr Smith was said to be several kilograms heavier, grinning inanely and mumbling something about being a "moullyonaire".
Jack Smith, 31 of Fairfield, was heard talking to a Collingwood supporting friend on the Saturday morning following the Magpies' big win over West Coast last Friday night.
In response to his friend's assertion that Collingwood were 'premiership certainties' and 'would win the next ten flags straight, no doubt about it', Mr Smith was heard to respond "Hang on mate, it was only the Eagles".
Mr Smith apparently continued in a similar, non-hyperbolic fashion. "Look, we're a young team that's improving, but there's still a long way to go until we're premiership material."
"Look at the ladder. Yes, we're much better off than at this stage last year, but we've only beaten Carlton and Port Adelaide above us, and we fell in both times. I'd want to see us knock off at least two of the Blues, Essendon, Hawthorn or Richmond in the second half of the year before I start talking about flags," Mr Smith continued.
"I just think that Essendon are a bit too good for us this year, but with luck with injuries and recruiting next season, we might be ready to make a challenge for the top two."
Following his sensible, measured appraisal of Collingwood's form, Mr Smith was smuggled into a van with a big '9' on the side, and spirited away to a secret Richmond location for what insiders were calling a "re-Ed-ucation".
Upon his release Mr Smith was said to be several kilograms heavier, grinning inanely and mumbling something about being a "moullyonaire".
