The AFL season opener is this coming Friday night, interestingly enough just a bit down the road from my house. I look forward to battling hours of traffic for an overpriced pie and a watered down West End.
This does have me thinking that I should pick a team and not just for this game but for the entire year.
So this is an open letter to you, the AFL fan community, you one-eyed fanatics that will ink your body with your teams colours and blindly follow them through thick and thin.
I need you and your reasoning so I can find a team and end my wayward ways of football support.
In brief, I did follow a team in high school, the Essendon Bombers. My reason for this being the majority of my friends did and having to choose between them and Carlton, it made sense to follow the Dons.
At the time I only knew of three AFL teams, the above mentioned and the Brisbane Lions.
I then purchased a Western Bulldogs top because the colours matched my local team and I had some similarities to Adam Cooney, when he still had hair and a good knee, of which I still have both, just lacking the Brownlow Medal.
I have since then increased my love and understanding for the game and have a like for every team in the competition; even Carlton with the acquisition of Mick Malthouse making them somewhat likable.
The West Coast Eagles, in my opinion, will win the flag this year so maybe I get on that bandwagon now?
Alternatively, I could give into the peer pressure of my girlfriend and her entire family of Richmond supporters; even my good mate who sends me a link to the North Melbourne membership page at least once a day.
Living in Adelaide and reading the Crowtiser (The Advertiser) makes me feel that I should get on board the Adelaide Crows.
However, that gives me the overwhelming urge to support Port Adelaide Power, they could use it, and once you have visited the Port, and mingled with local supports you understand the rich history and passion of the club.
I have even dabbled in following the new expansion teams, just for the sake of being at the ground floor so to speak.
So what I am asking is who should I follow and why? Over to you…
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Yeah go for North. We have got eternal underdog down to a fine art. Catchy, all embracing, theme song too "join in the chorus join in one and all join in the chorus North Melbourne's on the ball!
Redb
Roar Guru
Nice generalisation, got anymore? North Melbourne fans - what to generalise about them.......
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I hate to say, but you have to join the arrogant at Essendon. Your first club, its just a shame they have the most obnoxious fans in the game. If you go with a local team. it has to be Port. Reasons for this are many, but basically boil down to: a. Port need the support b. You can gain entry, something more dificult for Crows fans although members tend to get in c. The Crows would not exist if Port had not stuck their hand up in 1990 (Crows fans see that act as betrayal of the SANFL, but the views of most Crow fans can be, and should be, dismissed on most matters) d. You automatically gain an SANFL team as well, with Port being the only traditional club from outside Victoria to make the step into the AFL Of course, if you wish to join the righteous and near-holy, North Melbourne is the only place to be. The downside is, you will probably see North 2-4 times a year on FTA in Adelaide, when they play Adelaide or Port and 1-2 Friday night games a year.
Phelpsy
Guest
I would say go port if you're in Adelaide ... It's great to get behind a maligned club .. And they will come good...
Redb
Roar Guru
No wonder Davyn is looking for a team to follow in Adelaide other than Adelaide. :)
checkside
Guest
I am a Crow and breacher of salary caps. We were also in trouble but we will prevail.
Redb
Roar Guru
I am Essendon, you are anonymous.
checkside
Guest
You are Essendon and you are on drugs. You are also in trouble.
Redb
Roar Guru
Has to be Essendon. 16 premierships in the VFL/AFL era including the first in 1897. The only club to win a flag in 3 different centuries. Best colours red and black, club song, reigning Brownlow medalist in Jobe Watson, future rising star in Joe Daniher. Minor technical issue with ASADA at the minute, but we will prevail. We Are Essendon.
Macca
Guest
You only say that because you compare yourself to Rugby & League followers in Qld.
checkside
Guest
There are many reasons why and which team one does support. Some are swayed by other family members or back in the day it was where you were brought up. Others went to see their first game and picked a team and went from there. Then of course you have the supporters who jump on the band wagon - picked a team who are successful at the time. You will also notice a large number of Collingwood supporters. To follow the "pies" is not always easy as many normal people will look down at you because you probably have a criminal record. Its also hard to be a Carlton supporter with the realisation that your prediction every year to win a flag is impossible especially when you dont make the eight. Hawthorn has a good team, but a coach that spits the dummy every time the opposition gets a kick. Essendon are on drugs. Richmond will break your heart every season - 9th 9th 9th 9th etc. Fremantle will break your heart every game especially when in front early in the last quarter. The Doggies will break your heart when playing prelim finals, especially against Adelaide. Melbourne will win some and tank the rest. Port Adelaide was a great club in the SANFL but have now realised the little fish in a huge pond concept. I will leave comments about North Melbourne, West Coast, Sydney, Geelong, Adelaide, St.Kilda, Brisbane and Gold Coast to others - I dont really want to pick a fight with everyone! I suggest the Giants are the team for you. Rumours are that my mate Macca is a closet member of the new and upcoming powerhouse.
CraigB
Guest
I'm a Freo fan. I love the game and I love the culture that has been built in the club support. It's great to be involved and living in WA easy for me to be involved with the club. I believe the best way to be a club supporter is to be involved in the support of the club. This means being able to be a part of the support culture for that club. This means you really have 3 choices: Richmond: Your Girlfriend and her family can help you be involved in supporting that club. Port Adelaide: Local side and are going through a rebuild. Exciting times to start supporting a club. Probably need the support most from the SA teams. Adelaide: The other local side. Better supporter base than Port and currently the more successful club. I hope this has been helpful, and whatever club you choose, make sure you involve yourself. Become a member. Get to know the team. Attend training sessions (if possible), read about the players and coaches so you know what you are barracking for, and which players are involved in the play at any time of the game. Most of all, ensure that you pick a club that you can enjoy supporting!!!
TomC
Roar Guru
All the intelligent and good looking people follow Brisbane, Davyn.
Ahmed
Guest
Seems like you are more of a fan of the game than a team. However I'll give my two cents. Ateam should be chosen from the heart. However supporting your local team also has it's huge upsides! I reckon support port while they're down, attend some matches where a thrashing is guaranteed and you will start to embrace them like family. Once they start making finals again your support in the tough times will pay huge dividends!