Vale Catman

[darklake]

I think it was more about how he waved his big pole about.
PS - How’s your pet sheep going?

He's enormous thanks.

 

[Sainter3and7]

There is something about Cheer Squads that attract flogs (flogs, not flags) by the dozens.

They were supposed to be for kids, I thought... and you see almost none of them there... it's always older flogs, whose time has well and truly come and gone.

 

[leobarryustar]

I simply teach people the error of their ways friend.

A second coming, if you will.

Heavens to Betsy, I’m still alive! Are you going soft?

 

[zackah]

Heavens to Betsy, I’m still alive! Are you going soft?

No, just sober.


(for now)

 

[Doggies1972]

There is something about Cheer Squads that attract flogs (flogs, not flags) by the dozens.

They were supposed to be for kids, I thought... and you see almost none of them there... it's always older flogs, whose time has well and truly come and gone.

I beg to differ. It seems the ages are generally a mix, but the obesity tends to be the common factor. If catman gained 80 kg, he would likely have fitted in better. He could have brought Fat Cat out of retirement.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Geelong have had a rogue cheer squad for years. They normally hang out in standing areas such as the Gary Ablett terrace or section M4 at the MCG.
A couple of years ago the got the whole lower level behind the goals at Marvels Stadium clapping along to the tune of "Just can't get Enough".
They have no problems drowning out the "official" cheer squad.

Here's one of my favourites.

Reminds me of the rogue Unofficial Hawthorn Rebel Cheer Squad from some 20 odd years back.

 

[newcs]

For those who are friends with Catman on Facebook, here's the story from the man himself.

 

[newcs]

I'll try copy and paste.



So now I'm free to speak, let me tell you about my 2019 suspension . Long story but I'll try and keep it relatively short.
So the issues started when I went above my cheer squad's head and wrote a personal letter to Gillon Mc Lachlan to throw the 1.6m flag size limit out the window. I was at a practise game and a cheer squad official was walking up and down the aisles with a tape measure and scissors and cutting down any flags that were oversized. Pathetic!! So that's why I wrote the letter.
Gillion threw out the rule and got an AFL rep to talk to me to discuss the new flag size. She said" what do you want? Four metres"? Shocked( was thinking maybe two or three max lol) I agreed quickly!
My cheer squad was very upset with me because I didn't go through them, the proper channels, to go to the AFL CHEER SQUAD LEAGUE to propose it. Why would I go through them when they were busy cutting down flags? As if they'd represent me?My cheer squad are very very VERRRYY strict on following the guidelines set by the AFL.
So the new rule came in. The cheer squad was furious with me but they had to adhere to the new rule. That started the whole problem. I became a target for every rule breach while others were left alone.
I was reported and reprimanded for:
Talking during the game! I kid you not. Taken up the back and told" there's been reports of you talking during the game. You have a target on your back. Be mindful of that!"
Talking during the game is what everyone does.
I was reported for being on my phone during the game . Having an on air tantrum after a bad goal decision. Waving my flag one row outside the designated cheer squad area.
So I got sick of the agenda against me and demanded a special meeting with the club and cheer squad to fix the problems. That went ok. But didn't change a thing. So certain members were elevated to committee positions and it went from bad to worse. I could go on for hours but I'll short cut to the suspension.
So certain members of the cheer squad sabotaged my equipment and cut down my PVC flagpoles and left one back at the storage unit so I couldn't wave my big flag. The person who did it sat there watching me to see whether I'd have a tantrum. I didn't. So I started bringing my own poles through the stadium gates. You're only allowed 1.6 m flags through the turnstiles. I had no other choice because they had ruined my poles. So on this particular day at Etihad stadium, some member/s of my own cheer squad rang Etihad stadium before the game to say that I'd be coming in the turnstile with oversized flags. I get to the cheer squad area and security stopped me. They were already on their phone and I could hear them muttering that I had arrived! I mean , who does that to their own members? So the stadium security boss came to explain it to me. Then the AFL integrity Officer was called to come and explain the situation as well. So I couldn't wave my flag. They let me in still but no flags! Some of those cheer squad members were watching and smirking at me. I was livid. But said NOTHING! I instead sent an angry email to the cheer squad.
So I get called into the club. A high ranking club official tore strips off me bringing me to tears and told me I was under investigation.
I don't know if you know this but our club has its own court system. So off to court I went with my defence, character references, character support people and had to face the investigation officer and a club lawyer. Present my case. They take it away and the judge hands down the penalty. I got off the Etihad charge as their version wasn't accurate to the exact truth. Mine was! But I got a years suspension for the disrespectful and provocative email. So that was the first nail in my coffin for leaving. Stay tuned for the next installment....

 

[Bont2Bruce]

In 2019 I started a thread on the Geelong board about the way he was being treated (by the Cheer Squad in particular) and I was quite detailed about it.

For some reason this thread disappeared quicker than a nude photo on a catholic Facebook page.

To cut a long story short. The average age of a typical Geelong Cheer Squad member is around 40 (no I'm not joking).
A lot of the even more older ones (who are refusing to realise that their energetic days of the Cheer Squad are over) are simply using the area as cheap seating.
As a result, all the energy and passion is going out of it and turning the area very dull and boring, a bit like a nursing home or a veggie patch.
Troy has been trying his heart out to rectify this. On occasions he has not only gone over the Cheers Squad's head but he has also gone over the Geelong Football Clubs head and gone straight to the AFL to try and rectify things.
Predictably the are a few people not happy about him doing this.
All came to a head this year when the Geelong Football Club gave a tap on the shoulder to the Cheers Squad's "committee" (average age about 50) and have taken over the running of the Cheer Squad themselves. Troy was blamed for causing the "committee" to be given the flick and he has been a target of bullying ever since.

Bulldogs cheersquad had to get overhauled some years back too and incumbents removed from key positions which I believe are now controlled by the club.

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

I have a feeling Catman will shock the AFL world by starting a rogue cheer squad.

Who does he think he is? The Geelong Cheer Squad cheer squad?

 

[Sainter3and7]

There is something about the whole cheersquad thing that attracts flogs like a magnet. Maybe it's cause there's no age limit?

 

[frggr]

There is something about the whole cheersquad thing that attracts flogs like a magnet. Maybe it's cause there's no age limit?

It affords a modicum of power to flogs who have no power in their own lives

 

[Twoslabs]

Geelong have had a rogue cheer squad for years. They normally hang out in standing areas such as the Gary Ablett terrace or section M4 at the MCG.
A couple of years ago they got the whole lower level behind the goals at Marvels Stadium clapping along to the tune of "Just can't get Enough".
They have no problems drowning out the "official" cheer squad.

Sounds like some Scottish Celtic supporters have infiltrated down there, watch your wallets

 

[the avoca drover]

Why are adults in cheer squads?

 

[Stronzo]

Why are adults in cheer squads?

The sheltered workshop doesn’t open on the weekend?

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

It affords a modicum of power to flogs who have no power in their own lives

This I feel sums it up perfectly.

 

[frggr]

This I feel sums it up perfectly.

It's a bit like being a Bay13 mod

 

[ash_1050]

Can't wait till I'm 40 and can go to every game with my face painted to sit behind the goals and say 'Essendon' clap, clap clap 'Essendon' clap, clap clap after every goal.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Poor bugga had a target on his head. Sucks that the cheer squad committee would do that to the highest profile cheer squad member and the son of a premiership player.

Unfortunately when you are in that situation you are fighting a losing battle.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Can't wait till I'm 40 and can go to every game with my face painted to sit behind the goals and say 'Essendon' clap, clap clap 'Essendon' clap, clap clap after every goal.

I thought the cheer squad chanted 'We are Essendon.. We are Essendon' or is that the stand up section?

 

[ash_1050]

I thought the cheer squad chanted 'We are Essendon.. We are Essendon' or is that the stand up section?

Too many words, I can't follow something that complex.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Bulldogs cheersquad had to get overhauled some years back too and incumbents removed from key positions which I believe are now controlled by the club.

A League clubs are having similar problems with their own Active Supporter Areas (bIt like Cheer Squads but far less wankish)

Someone from the RBB (Red and Black Bloc) apparently coped a one year ban for swearing and they staged a walk out in game cause stadium security ordered them to take down tifos and flags.
Similar thing happened at the Bullpen a few weeks ago (MacArthur FC) but a lot of those flogs complained because the club and stadium raised the prices of beer and ticket entry lol.

And yes I feel bad for poor David Porter (the Bulldogs cheer squad leader who was fired from his duties. Has not been to an AFL game since, only goes to Footscray VFL games.

This bloke helped save your club back in 1989 from the merger with Fitzroy, and imo was treated disgracefully

 

[Bont2Bruce]

And yes I feel bad for poor David Porter (the Bulldogs cheer squad leader who was fired from his duties. Has not been to an AFL game since, only goes to Footscray VFL games.

This bloke helped save your club back in 1989 from the merger with Fitzroy, and imo was treated disgracefully

Nah, some of the stuff I have heard went down in the cheersquad wasn't cool and action was needed.

 

[Doggies1972]

I'll try copy and paste.



So now I'm free to speak, let me tell you about my 2019 suspension . Long story but I'll try and keep it relatively short.
So the issues started when I went above my cheer squad's head and wrote a personal letter to Gillon Mc Lachlan to throw the 1.6m flag size limit out the window. I was at a practise game and a cheer squad official was walking up and down the aisles with a tape measure and scissors and cutting down any flags that were oversized. Pathetic!! So that's why I wrote the letter.
Gillion threw out the rule and got an AFL rep to talk to me to discuss the new flag size. She said" what do you want? Four metres"? Shocked( was thinking maybe two or three max lol) I agreed quickly!
My cheer squad was very upset with me because I didn't go through them, the proper channels, to go to the AFL CHEER SQUAD LEAGUE to propose it. Why would I go through them when they were busy cutting down flags? As if they'd represent me?My cheer squad are very very VERRRYY strict on following the guidelines set by the AFL.
So the new rule came in. The cheer squad was furious with me but they had to adhere to the new rule. That started the whole problem. I became a target for every rule breach while others were left alone.
I was reported and reprimanded for:
Talking during the game! I kid you not. Taken up the back and told" there's been reports of you talking during the game. You have a target on your back. Be mindful of that!"
Talking during the game is what everyone does.
I was reported for being on my phone during the game . Having an on air tantrum after a bad goal decision. Waving my flag one row outside the designated cheer squad area.
So I got sick of the agenda against me and demanded a special meeting with the club and cheer squad to fix the problems. That went ok. But didn't change a thing. So certain members were elevated to committee positions and it went from bad to worse. I could go on for hours but I'll short cut to the suspension.
So certain members of the cheer squad sabotaged my equipment and cut down my PVC flagpoles and left one back at the storage unit so I couldn't wave my big flag. The person who did it sat there watching me to see whether I'd have a tantrum. I didn't. So I started bringing my own poles through the stadium gates. You're only allowed 1.6 m flags through the turnstiles. I had no other choice because they had ruined my poles. So on this particular day at Etihad stadium, some member/s of my own cheer squad rang Etihad stadium before the game to say that I'd be coming in the turnstile with oversized flags. I get to the cheer squad area and security stopped me. They were already on their phone and I could hear them muttering that I had arrived! I mean , who does that to their own members? So the stadium security boss came to explain it to me. Then the AFL integrity Officer was called to come and explain the situation as well. So I couldn't wave my flag. They let me in still but no flags! Some of those cheer squad members were watching and smirking at me. I was livid. But said NOTHING! I instead sent an angry email to the cheer squad.
So I get called into the club. A high ranking club official tore strips off me bringing me to tears and told me I was under investigation.
I don't know if you know this but our club has its own court system. So off to court I went with my defence, character references, character support people and had to face the investigation officer and a club lawyer. Present my case. They take it away and the judge hands down the penalty. I got off the Etihad charge as their version wasn't accurate to the exact truth. Mine was! But I got a years suspension for the disrespectful and provocative email. So that was the first nail in my coffin for leaving. Stay tuned for the next installment....

So basically ... a gay furry wanting bigger poles and obese self important flag/ pole committee members, refusing him bigger poles, is what this is all about

 

[MAXIMUM GRUNDAGE]

Poor bugga had a target on his head. Sucks that the cheer squad committee would do that to the highest profile cheer squad member and the son of a premiership player.

Unfortunately when you are in that situation you are fighting a losing battle.

Who was his old man?