great 2 posts alscotoz2. i much more look forward to this years clashes at the gabba with sydney, hawthorn, west coast, bulldogs etc. i like to watch good/great teams live. although i enjoy the banter with the suns supporters i know. we have used 4 guest passes for this weekends game so we can continue the sledging at the norman before the game and then in the confines of the gabba.
on collingwood i agree on your hate views, but
i disagree on your no respect view, they must be doing something right they have massive membership and attendance numbers and most opposition supporters seem to harbour hate/dislike towards them, rarely is apathy a view that is put forward when collingwood is mentioned.
my big picture view on footy is it is entertainment. no different IMO to movies, concerts, comedy gigs etc. i spend an inordinate amount of time posting on BF/thinking about/talking about footy but these actors, athletes, singers are entertainers. when it comes down to it they provide a distraction for the masses from in the main the hum drum of the 9 to 5 lifestyle of servitude to the system. (i will restrict broader views on this to the S,R&P board

)
on occasion i might fall and take the game too seriously for my own liking but then i think- all we're doing is kicking a pigskin around a field with 4 sticks up each end and an oval line painted on the grass to contain the action.
AFL- my preferred and loved form of entertainment.