Opinion What does it mean to be a supporter?

[Markfs]

I dont see any problem in bagging your team when the going is tough......as long as you change the nick that you're posting under, when the times get better. There is nothing worse than keeping a nick and having some muck from previous years thrown back in your face. We use nick names in these internet things so that we can hang shit on everyone, including our team...and then we can walk away from our mistakes by changing to another nick. That's the way the internet works and I think it's fabulous....

 

[THATSGOLD]

What do you think when we're 60 points up half way in the third and you see opposition supporters leave?

Do you think "ah bandwagoners, they don't support their team through thick and thin!"

Or do you think "ah, their entertainment has ended for the day, they're being very sensible by leaving early and beating the crowds to the train"?

Nothing annoyed me more than watching our supporters leave early in the last quarter of the 2011 GF. I clapped them off the ground almost as a thank you for the 2011 season. It was one remarkable year all but not beating Geelong we were great.

Now I walk out early because I feel the side just gives up we are few goals down. If they don't try and care why should we. That's feeling I had of some of the players in recent years. Most have gone to other clubs now.

 

[Morganashlee]

Outside of my immediately family, being a Collingwood supporter is the best thing in my life. It is something I had no choice in so I am so grateful that my Mum forced this upon me.

Growing up, attending the football was the only thing we did as a family. Through my teen years my parents split so it became just my Mum and I. We went through some awful times but the one thing that we never stopped doing was going to the football. I think that having something to look forward too every week really helped me get through.

The saddest moments of my life have also come at the hands of this football club. I sat on the floor of my lounge room in 2002 and cried for hours after watching the game slip away from our grasp. In 2009 I left the prelim and wandered around the city in a silence, with tears running down my face. The drawn grand final was a strange hollow feeling, the lovely St Kilda supporter next to me hugged me as I stood there in disbelief. Again I stood alone yet in a sea of people, heartbroken an inconsolable.

I have highlighted the low points because those have been the ones that affected me as a person the most. After all the disappointments, the failings and the agony we come back. Because this isn't just about being there for the glory. It is about the whole journey. The ups and downs, watching a player, a team and a club develop.

This club is my life.

 

[Rorzza]

33 years depressed, 2 years of ecstasy.

 

[mike123]

Nothing annoyed me more than watching our supporters leave early in the last quarter of the 2011 GF. I clapped them off the ground almost as a thank you for the 2011 season. It was one remarkable year all but not beating Geelong we were great.

Now I walk out early because I feel the side just gives up we are few goals down. If they don't try and care why should we. That's feeling I had of some of the players in recent years. Most have gone to other clubs now.

I don't think its the players not trying, its that they don't know what to do when the game gets out of and we don't have too many players that can turn the game on its head.

I really like the sound of De Goey as I've heard his got this quality.

 

[Anzacday]

Part of it is the constant bagging and presumptions by non-supporters.
Just read an article by Roy Masters and have highlighted the bit that slightly annoyed me and it raised the question of who is the worst behaved club?

It is true Maxwell has joined the Storm's leadership group but this is consistent with the closer ties between the two geographically adjacent clubs. To suggest the Storm, with arguably the NRL's best culture, could learn something about behaviour from the AFL club with the worst reputation, riled me.

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-leag...fl-but-losing-the-pr-war-20150116-12ri74.html

 

[DinoSoar]

Part of it is the constant bagging and presumptions by non-supporters.

Just read an article by Roy Masters and have highlighted the bit that slightly annoyed me and it raised the question of who is the worst behaved club?

It is true Maxwell has joined the Storm's leadership group but this is consistent with the closer ties between the two geographically adjacent clubs. To suggest the Storm, with arguably the NRL's best culture, could learn something about behaviour from the AFL club with the worst reputation, riled me.

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-leag...fl-but-losing-the-pr-war-20150116-12ri74.html

An excellent example of the point in my earlier post - nuffies being cliched smart arses, just sticking with the same old tired, worn out lines using Collingwood to stir the pot.

Poor Roy, can't tell the difference between Collingwood & St Kilda ... nevermind

 

[NT.Thunder]

Some of the best games and proudest moments have come during games we have lost.

It's the ability to ride the emotions of the club through thick and thin, good and bad, on and off field.

To enjoy the successes with the club and wider Collingwood community, but than to help the club and our fellow supporters through their own difficult times.

Make no mistake, that supporting Collingwood is one of the most difficult and if not then the most difficult sporting institution to support. Hated by all bar none and supported only by our own fellow supporters and sponsors.

Love the brand - Love the passion - Love the isolation

 

[Anzacday]

So many of my thoughts/feelings have already been covered so I thought I'd go down the word association path...

Loyalty, Passion, Pride, Tears, Enjoyment, Belonging, Loathed, Loathing,
Excitement, Disappointment, Teeth, Support, History, Vic Park, Divisive,
Misunderstood, Premierships, Losses, Crowds, Noise, MCG, Ritual, Undeniable,
AFL, Membership, Rewarding, United, Community & Barracking

 

[Horaceg]

Why Not Leaving Early is so Important.

I leave IF we are getting Flogged. That makes me no less a Supporter then you

nothing personal or any reflection on you as an individual or a supporter, when if I go out to support the boys I'm in to the end as they are, not just when it's going well. We all have our own views on life and no where did I state you were any less of a supporter, I don't know you actually. This is more a statement about me not you. Apologies in advance if this was confusing.

 

[TradeDraft]

nothing personal or any reflection on you as an individual or a supporter, when if I go out to support the boys I'm in to the end as they are, not just when it's going well. We all have our own views on life and no where did I state you were any less of a supporter, I don't know you actually. This is more a statement about me not you. Apologies in advance if this was confusing.

I get it. You like to stay to then end and I reckon who do that are Fantastic but I don’t see it making you anymore or any less a Supporter then anyone else

 

[Horaceg]

I get it. You like to stay to then end and I reckon who do that are Fantastic but I don’t see it making you anymore or any less a Supporter then anyone else

I wouldn't presume to be any more or less of a supporter than anyone else, the one thing i love about Collingwood is the passion that drives the supporters.

It's not always about what is said but the intent behind what is said.

 

[Trickster]

It's the difference between a great and crap weekend.

I am a fish.

do you drink like one?

I never left early. 2 reasons
Firstly I don't think it is a good look. Turning your back on the players.
Secondly, who knows, in those final couple of minutes someone could take mark of the year or kick the goal of the year and you would miss it.

Those Seattle fans who left early today tcouldn't back in the ground after they scored 2 touchdowns in a minute and then the game went into extra time.

 

[jmac70]

It's the difference between a great and crap weekend.

do you drink like one?

Finally someone who understands me!

 

[TradeDraft]

Finally someone who understands me!

Same Here - We Win. Great Weekend and We Lost Shocking Weekend and early week

 

[Anzacday]

Read every article and watch every bit of footage after a win.
Don't read a thing after a loss.

PS: I do record every game, (except interstate games on Foxtel) and watch it, win, lose or draw.
I find it cathartic after a loss and I move on easily then, although I couldn't finish the Lions game.

 

[Vicky Park]

Read every article and watch every bit of footage after a win.
Don't read a thing after a loss.

PS: I do record every game, (except interstate games on Foxtel) and watch it, win, lose or draw.
I find it cathartic after a loss and I move on easily then, although I couldn't finish the Lions game.

I cant watch a replay if we lose. Just cant. I still haven't rewatched the 2010 GF draw! For the 2011 GF loss, I went to the game but my husband didn't (a Cats supporter). We recorded the game, obviously, but when I got home late that night after a GF 'wake' with Pies supporting friends, and husband was asleep, I deleted the recording. I couldn't bear to have it in the house. A grown up response?

 

[Anzacday]

I cant watch a replay if we lose. Just cant. I still haven't rewatched the 2010 GF draw! For the 2011 GF loss, I went to the game but my husband didn't (a Cats supporter). We recorded the game, obviously, but when I got home late that night after a GF 'wake' with Pies supporting friends, and husband was asleep, I deleted the recording. I couldn't bear to have it in the house. A grown up response?

I have always liked to watch the replay, (especially when we win).
I go to most games and like to see the TV perspective and the umpiring decisions etc.
It's not a matter of grown-up or not, it's different strokes for different folks.

 

[Unknown Identity]

It's showing up on Sunny Days and riding the wave of success and disappearing on rainy days and digging the boots in when we fail..

Am i doing it right?

 

[Anzacday]

It's showing up on Sunny Days and riding the wave of success and disappearing on rainy days and digging the boots in when we fail..Am i doing it right?

You forgot to add the so some people knew you were joking!

 

[PieLebo87]

Being a supporter is about having that cocky, smugness when we're Premiers and we're on top. Its about having this optimistic outlook when we're building up to something, its about having blind, unrealistic faith when we're down.

I have nothing but respect for the supporters that wait until the final siren when we're getting pumped, but I am guilty of leaving a little early. Don't take that as me not being loyal; emotion just gets the better of me, and for my safety, and those around me, I choose to leave early to avoid the potential for confrontation, plus I can't help but feel that slight sense of family when I'm walking away from the MCG and I'm surrounded by other Collingwood supporters with their heads down, and discussing where it went wrong, and what we need to do to get better.

I have a Collingwood tattoo, (some of the older posters will remember me sharing it a few years back) and it is my favourite tattoo because of the Magpie and my love of this great football club.

2010 Premiership was the greatest day in my 27-odd years, and being there to count down from 10 was as intense an experience as I've had. The way out of the 'G was pure joy, and I'll never forget that day. I was also at the 2011 Grand Final, and it was as shattering as 2010 was joyous for me but thats what being a Collingwood supporter is about.

 

[Maggie5]

For me it is supporting them through good and bad times, renewing you membership every year despite having a whinge that you won't.
Bagging a coach or player after a game or two if you think they are not playing to your expectations (MM and O'Bree), but then moving on. (Tongue in cheek).
Swearing you will never go to a another game if so and so is selected, then being one of the first there.
Supporting them against all odds and other supporters (even if you slightly agree).

 

[PTpie]

It's almost like being married.

It can be beautiful, rich and rewarding and provide you with some of the greatest moments of your life.

It can also leave you confused, hurt and bitter and feeling like you've put your heart on the line and nothing came back from the other end.

Overall there are ups and downs but if you work on yourself rather than expecting the other party to make it all rainbows and butterflies for you, you'll be in a better place.

 

[Snag Breac]

I cant watch a replay if we lose. Just cant. I still haven't rewatched the 2010 GF draw! For the 2011 GF loss, I went to the game but my husband didn't (a Cats supporter). We recorded the game, obviously, but when I got home late that night after a GF 'wake' with Pies supporting friends, and husband was asleep, I deleted the recording. I couldn't bear to have it in the house. A grown up response?

The draw is one of my favourite games ever, because I know what's coming next; and it was pretty exciting in itself. This is a great thread.

 

[jackcass]

If you don't know what the point of a premiership is go and barrack for the Western Bulldogs or Melbourne. Maybe you've never won one? It's an end in itself, everything else is journey to the next one. And there is no purpose to anything, a purpose is a construct used to make sense of our situation and inevitable journey to eternal nothingness .

If it was purely about premierships we'd all barrack for Hawthorn and/or flip-flop our allegences about like a fish on a bank.

I don't think we should be so dismissive of the journey as a driver of our support... enjoy it... embrace it.

Yeah, I'd love to win a flag every year but that just isn't the reality for any club.