SA Footy

I've got about 15 SANFL/Central converts after Sunday. We had a BBQ then walked over for the game. Sat behind the Southern goals for three quarters then the Northern goals for the last. Initially they went for the "event", but during the game held up the banners, got involved with the chanting, and got caught up in the brilliant atmosphere. Many said they'd never experienced anything like it, loving the day. Now they're all late converts to local footy (all are over 33 years of age).
To whoever mentioned it in another thread, inferring those behind the goals were just there to cause trouble (I know it was just a generalisation), many were there to soak up the atmosphere.

Perhaps again in contravention of the same tired stereotypes. We were amongst lawyers, teachers, company directors, stockbrokers, managers, real estate agents and many others from very varied back grounds.
To Voice, the Sturt cheer squad looked very impressive, particularly from the opposite end of the ground. You must have done a great job to organise the numbers.
Again, what a brilliant spectacle and advertisement for local footy.

Maybe this thread could be used for positive stories ?

We also met Travis Varcoe afterward. Seemed like a top bloke. Very humble and appreciative of the opportunity he's got in being able to play football.

I must say that while there are a couple of annoying Sturt supporters posting on this site, on Sunday the sturt supporters were all great sports that I spoke to. A bit of friendly rivalry is good for the game. The ratbag element is very much in the minority but unfortunatley gets more than its fair share of the attention. I wish they could catch the one or two morons with the flares and charge them!

Sorry to strike a note of negativity sjt but only time will tell if any of these Centrals/SANFL converts stick with the local league. Very easy to jump on a bandwagon at sunny football park when your 'adopted' team is about to win a flag but very different to following a team week in week out especially when it means travelling to artic park in the middle of June to be part of a 1,500 crowd watching a top v bottom clash.
whilst it was an excellent crowd and atmosphere and hopefully a few of these people latch onto the SANFL in some form or another, there is a big difference between many at the Grand Final and your dyed in the wool supporter who goes every week. But to be positive about it obviously better that these people attend than don't, it could be their intro to the SANFL. Also very evident that having two large supporter bases at the one venue is a very different atmosphere to the AFL.

Ronnie wrote:Sorry to strike a note of negativity sjt but only time will tell if any of these Centrals/SANFL converts stick with the local league. Very easy to jump on a bandwagon at sunny football park when your 'adopted' team is about to win a flag but very different to following a team week in week out especially when it means travelling to artic park in the middle of June to be part of a 1,500 crowd watching a top v bottom clash.
whilst it was an excellent crowd and atmosphere and hopefully a few of these people latch onto the SANFL in some form or another, there is a big difference between many at the Grand Final and your dyed in the wool supporter who goes every week. But to be positive about it obviously better that these people attend than don't, it could be their intro to the SANFL. Also very evident that having two large supporter bases at the one venue is a very different atmosphere to the AFL.

Agreed. They're not going to be going each week. But I think they would venture down to future finals series and at least (as you mentioned) their perspective on SANFL football is all positive now.

Ronnie wrote:Sorry to strike a note of negativity sjt but only time will tell if any of these Centrals/SANFL converts stick with the local league. Very easy to jump on a bandwagon at sunny football park when your 'adopted' team is about to win a flag but very different to following a team week in week out especially when it means travelling to artic park in the middle of June to be part of a 1,500 crowd watching a top v bottom clash.
whilst it was an excellent crowd and atmosphere and hopefully a few of these people latch onto the SANFL in some form or another, there is a big difference between many at the Grand Final and your dyed in the wool supporter who goes every week. But to be positive about it obviously better that these people attend than don't, it could be their intro to the SANFL. Also very evident that having two large supporter bases at the one venue is a very different atmosphere to the AFL.

Yes, but how did we all get addicted? For me it was attending a great final (Dogs V Sturt in 71) then going to the games I could get to. I was only a kid so could only get to home games. Gradually learning all of the players and feeling to joy of winning amongst the pain of losing...... and then every game I could physically get to. You have to start somewhere.

doggies4eva wrote:I must say that while there are a couple of annoying Sturt supporters posting on this site, on Sunday the sturt supporters were all great sports that I spoke to. A bit of friendly rivalry is good for the game. The ratbag element is very much in the minority but unfortunatley gets more than its fair share of the attention. I wish they could catch the one or two morons with the flares and charge them!

Don't charge them until they've inserted said flares fairly and squarely up their collective "bums"! Now that's positive.....ly painful!

I am not trolling here and I have no other motives but to highlight the surprise I and many others would have got from this thread.

Who would have thought spending time at Footy Park with the Centrals end-to-enders could be termed a "positive experience" by anyone other than a Centrals fan?

Good luck to the recently converted.

Booney wrote:I am not trolling here and I have no other motives but to highlight the surprise I and many others would have got from this thread.

Who would have thought spending time at Footy Park with the Centrals end-to-enders could be termed a "positive experience" by anyone other than a Centrals fan?

Good luck to the recently converted.

I'd actually never sat behind the goals previously. Previously would sit around the pocket, so it was foreign to me as well. So thought I'd try it for something different. What's more, they held out to the very end despite some not bringing hats. One of the guys was going to buy one but most merchandise had sold out.

Man, are those converts are getting on the bandwagon late! Odds on you don't see many, if any at Round 1 next year.

The Sleeping Giant wrote:Man, are those converts getting on the bandwagon late! Odds on you don't see many, if any at Round 1 next year.

Yes Sleeping Giant. The point of the post is they enjoyed the day and SANFL footy. I don't believe they'll be lining up for memberships or will be there Round 1. I'd already mentioned they wouldn't be there each week. Sorry for being positive.

sjt wrote:Sorry for being positive.

So you should be.

Don't let it happen again.

Man! the smugness is suffocating me.

We Tiger supporters do have one positive experience each time we play Centrals.
We can open the budget and see the record highest score in the head to head stats. 49.23 v 11 something. Yippee!!!

leftlegger wrote:Man! the smugness is suffocating me.

We Tiger supporters do have one positive experience each time we play Centrals.
We can open the budget and see the record highest score in the head to head stats. 49.23 v 11 something. Yippee!!!

Please moderators......I should've added positive experiences at the GF on Sunday

I'll get it back on track sjt. Great post and something we should all be doing is talking up this great league that we have.
Some of my positives out of yesterday was the great atmosphere created by the many bbq's outside before the game. We had up to 80 people at ours with cheer squaders and db.orgers mingling.
This year has seen the supporters of my great club get together more then ever before and there is a resolve to help the club climb out of any financial difficulties we find ourselves in.
Another positive which I mentioned in another thread was being able to experience the roar of the crowd from out on the field. If any of you guys ever get an invitation to go and help lift a banner before the game, take it up, it's unbelievable.
Also all the Central supporters who appreciated me shaking hands and congratulating them after the game, inside and out of the ground was a major positive of the day and as much as I may bag some Central supporters, my inspiration for doing that was the way most Dogs supporters were gracious in defete in 02.

I sat in what has (for ten goes, in any case) been the exact same seat at the top of the members stand, smack bang under the ABC cameras. There were six of us in our family lot, on that row. Around us were a sea, and I mean a big sea, of Sturt supporters.

I know it's in the Members, which is a tad different than the outer (but not all that much really), but we were surrounded by a magnificent bunch of Sturt supporters who:
o offered some terrific banter during the Reserves game;
o offered a big cheer when Sturt fans were prompted to do so, and when their team entered the arena;
o were willing to celebrate Nutta's awesome goal snap in the second quarter; and,
o offered honest congratulations at the end of the match.

They were an absolute pleasure to sit with; at least 80 odd...

I know for me this year has been different to nearly all others - I have gone to watch and take in the spectacle rather than just watch what my lot did. I watched Delta as he quelled Trengove in the first half; and watched Trengove to see what he would do up forward in the second half. I marvelled at Hayes' return to the side (my fav player), and his polish. The tackling was sensational, the whole day was an enjoyable experience because everyone amongst and around us wanted to be there. And agree with the above posters that the noice of the C e n t r a l s chant and the Blue Cheer Squads was exceptional from where we were. Must be awesome at ground level!

All those near us (of all team denominations) stood and clapped Chad from the ground.

The Bays U18's sat directly in front of us during the Reserves GF (for at least 3qtrs, moved later to be occupied by the Blue Baggers) - I hope one of the Bay faithful that casts an eye over this comment passes it on to the Glenelg Footy Club - the lads were consummate professionals; represented their club with aplomb. There were well dressed, well behaved, and for a crew that had just won their respective GF, their language and manners were to be admired. Well done to the Bays U18 premiers - a great bunch of lads, who don't need a flare to enjoy themselves (well, I don't think any were wearing flares).

One last note - no trouble in the car parks, aas we wandered back to our car were were surprised at how many Blues fans were passing on their respects for the history thay'd just been part of. And on that note - 35,647 - I don't care what people call them (the 'B' word and all), it is an excellent turnout on what is our showpiece day.

ST...

Agree ST, there was a great atmosphere around Max Bash Res, footy's kicked, snags cooked and alot of banter and support for the teams, great weather for it too. I didn't witness any issues between supporters on the outer wing, everyone had a great time.

I stood behind the Southern goals with the end to enders in the 3rd quarter, didnt see any trouble....although was amused by 1 doggie fan wearing a CDFC jumper who I stood next too who kept asking his mate "who is 9 for us?" "who is 17 for us?" - obviously a once a year fan

Dutchy wrote:I stood behind the Southern goals with the end to enders in the 3rd quarter, didnt see any trouble....although was amused by 1 doggie fan wearing a CDFC jumper who I stood next too who kept asking his mate "who is 9 for us?" "who is 17 for us?" - obviously a once a year fan

A Doggie Dangleberry

Dutchy wrote:I stood behind the Southern goals with the end to enders in the 3rd quarter, didnt see any trouble....although was amused by 1 doggie fan wearing a CDFC jumper who I stood next too who kept asking his mate "who is 9 for us?" "who is 17 for us?" - obviously a once a year fan

Probably a Norwood supporter in disguise

Who was that yobbo with the horn?