Sunday - Why I can't wait for it.

[rogernumber10]

I haven't been around here much lately, but I just thought I would say I'm going to be at Footy Park on Sunday, and I'm pumped to be going. How could any fan not be excited when your team is in a Grand Final?
The closer Sunday's game between Norwood and Westies approaches, the more excited I'm getting.
I've seen Norwood play live on exactly two occasions since 1991, having been away from Adelaide for a full working lifetime now. I've got no idea about any of the players who will wear the guernsey this weekend, but it's going to be special because of where the game will take me.
The fact that there is a Gallagher and an Aish playing, albeit they won't be wearing 11 and either 8 or 43, makes it a bit easier to re-connect with my childhood, but the simple fact the jumper will be on the ground, will be enough to re-light the fire of a thousand wonderful childhood and teenage memories.
As someone effectively removed from the SANFL for two decades, and who thinks of the competition only through its (Golden in my view) Age of the 70s-80s, Sunday is going to be about being young again, before a life of choices, responsibilities and outcomes.
In the period 1976-88, I reckon I averaged 14-15 Redleg games a year and was privileged my club did well, and provided memories that stick with me today.
No matter who has the ball in hand, I will be be transported back to watching Aish and McIntosh do their work in their square, to watch Michael Taylor repel attack after attack and to see Keith Thomas deliver the ball beautifully to Neville Roberts on a fast lead.
Footy Park in the Septembers of 78, 82 and 84 (and the massive effort of '80 to do so well against such a great Port side) was the cream on the cake after spending a year always expectant at the Parade that we would probably win, while making the journeys to enemy territory from the Ponderosa in the North to the Bay in the South, and everywhere in between.
It goes without saying that the wins at Alberton were the most special, and names and numbers still randomly jump into the mind at the oddest times - Michalanney, Jenkins, Button, Armour, Thiel, Turbill, Fienemann, Payne, Hein.
Sunday and the prospect of a Grand Final prompts me to thinking back to what makes you pick a favourite player, and why you ride his ups and downs as if it was your lifestory. Roger Woodcock was my guy, and I still think he's been robbed of a rightful spot on the flank in the Norwood team of the century. He'd turn onto the left foot, and you could mark down the goal, even before the man between the big sticks had signalled the major. I couldn't really appreciate the enormity of how it important it was that he kick two goals in a tight, tough low-scoring encounter in 1975, but I certainly appreciated the brace of goals he delivered again in 1978 in a one-point result. I also remember crying when he did his knee in 1981 and his career was over. I never wore another number again to a Norwood game.
While Woodcock was gone in 82, and I had resolved to go numberless on my jumper, this new guy McIntosh was very easy to love and it seemed amazing he was just four years older than me.
Childhood passes in a blink and then the world arrives at your door and everything changes. From those great days of watching my team, the years rush by. I couldn't get along in '97 to see us belt Port (a record losing margin for them) and suddenly its 2012. Time moves fast between potential premiership opportunities as you age, something you never think possible as a teenager.
IF the opportunity is here, you owe it to your favourite memories to find a way to the game.
Go you Legs on Sunday and can just somene turn onto the left from 40 metres out and drill it for me for my Woodcock moment.

[Dutchy]

Nice one Rog, must admit you post brings back memories for me as my first 9 years of my life I was a Norwood fan (Dad's influence, before making the fatal mistake of sending me to Glenelg Primary!) Roger Woodcock was one of my favourite players back then, was superbly skilled.

Welcome home and enjoy the SANFL, bit different from back then but still the same in many ways.

[rogernumber10]

Dutchy, I have to say I've been talking it up for about a week now, so I say in advance to the Westies supporters, I WILL deserve every spray back my way if you get up, after how I've carried on.

But, to repeat, if you can't be excited about a Grand Final, what's the point of being in it?

[godoubleblues]

a great post Rog, I am not a Norwood fan obviously but that is from the heart from a footy fan, cheers for the read and thanks for posting, hope your team do well on sunday...

[Wedgie]

I've been enjoying your tweets about the roadtrip Rog, keep 'em coming and all the best for Sunday mate!

[zipzap]

Great stuff and good luck Rog

[rogernumber10]

I've been enjoying your tweets about the roadtrip Rog, keep 'em coming and all the best for Sunday mate!

I've been quietly trying to draw a few old stagers back to this game, if only to boost crowd numbers. It's about time Harry the Horse came out of the cave he's been hibernating in, and showed some interest. I dutifully tagged behind him as his side claimed the 85 and 86 flags, despite my lack of interest in those two matches as a Norwood man. He OWES me, 26 years later.

[oldfella]

No spray from this westies supporter - great read and I enjoyed it.

I do hope you are wrong in your prediction though

[prowling panther]

All grand finals if your team is playing in one is a memory to cherish, unfortunately I have only seen my team play in 2 grand finals in over 60 years of barracking and supporting, one will always be talked about by footy followers and the other, well.........

One thing I noticed this week while travelling along the Parade at Norwood, was the total lack of support for Norwood shown by local traders , even the local Council had nothing. You would think that the traders and the Council would have had red and blue streamers or balloons to show support, even if they did not follow the footy. We in Adelaide need to think outside the gloom and doom that is shown throughout communities.

Did West Adelaide traders show any support?

[garygroundwork]

All grand finals if your team is playing in one is a memory to cherish, unfortunately I have only seen my team play in 2 grand finals in over 60 years of barracking and supporting, one will always be talked about by footy followers and the other, well.........

One thing I noticed this week while travelling along the Parade at Norwood, was the total lack of support for Norwood shown by local traders , even the local Council had nothing. You would think that the traders and the Council would have had red and blue streamers or balloons to show support, even if they did not follow the footy. We in Adelaide need to think outside the gloom and doom that is shown throughout communities.

Did West Adelaide traders show any support?

I personally would love to see teams like south and west win a flag (albeit not this week) i have the utmost respect for supporters of these 2 clubs who have stuck with them all these years

prowlingpanther agree with u. drove down parade tonight, with the exception of the chicken shop there really wasnt much. back in the day the whole parade would be decked out. even the 2010 grand final the council put red and blue around all the trees on the medium strip. dissapointing.

oh and rog great post...

[prowling panther]

Thanks GGW, look forward to it next year, when we both make it.

[Aerie]

All grand finals if your team is playing in one is a memory to cherish, unfortunately I have only seen my team play in 2 grand finals in over 60 years of barracking and supporting, one will always be talked about by footy followers and the other, well.........

One thing I noticed this week while travelling along the Parade at Norwood, was the total lack of support for Norwood shown by local traders , even the local Council had nothing. You would think that the traders and the Council would have had red and blue streamers or balloons to show support, even if they did not follow the footy. We in Adelaide need to think outside the gloom and doom that is shown throughout communities.

Did West Adelaide traders show any support?

There is a big "Go Redlegs" banner across The Parade outside the Town Hall from one side of the road to the other, presumably put up by the Council.

Definitely envious of Norwood and West supporters this year. The build up to a Grand Final is so exciting, only eclipsed by actually winning it!

Great write up rogernumber10.

[prowling panther]

All grand finals if your team is playing in one is a memory to cherish, unfortunately I have only seen my team play in 2 grand finals in over 60 years of barracking and supporting, one will always be talked about by footy followers and the other, well.........

One thing I noticed this week while travelling along the Parade at Norwood, was the total lack of support for Norwood shown by local traders , even the local Council had nothing. You would think that the traders and the Council would have had red and blue streamers or balloons to show support, even if they did not follow the footy. We in Adelaide need to think outside the gloom and doom that is shown throughout communities.

Did West Adelaide traders show any support?

There is a big "Go Redlegs" banner across The Parade outside the Town Hall from one side of the road to the other, presumably put up by the Council.

Definitely envious of Norwood and West supporters this year. The build up to a Grand Final is so exciting, only eclipsed by actually winning it!

Great write up rogernumber10.

Must have gone up in the last 24 hours, well done Council.

[Columbo]

One thing I noticed this week while travelling along the Parade at Norwood, was the total lack of support for Norwood shown by local traders , even the local Council had nothing. You would think that the traders and the Council would have had red and blue streamers or balloons to show support, even if they did not follow the footy. We in Adelaide need to think outside the gloom and doom that is shown throughout communities.

Did West Adelaide traders show any support?

Thought the same thing, was out at Norwood on Wednesday and was expecting to see alot of red and blue around the place, guess its just a sign of the times, wonder how much red blue and yellow would have been flying had the Crows made it.

[garygroundwork]

Thought the same thing, was out at Norwood on Wednesday and was expecting to see alot of red and blue around the place, guess its just a sign of the times, wonder how much red blue and yellow would have been flying had the Crows made it.

definitely...and it saddens me because i can't see it getting better

[holden78]

Sign of the times means the colours will go up after Norwood win on Sunday!
Everyone loves a winner and businesses really can't afford or be bothered with losing ( thanks Govt.)

[JK]

Great read Rog, and I must admit Im jealous .. This week has been hell for me, I just want the game to arrive so I can find out whether win the thing or don't, and can then deal with whichever eventuality occurs.

[Peter Griffen]

I'm loving this week. After seeing 4 spoons in a row recently and fade outs like last year I am still in shock that Westies are there. It was quite tedious going to the footy from 2005-11 knowing your team is gonna get smacked and copping it from opposition supporters knowing that you have no comeback.

Go Bloods, anything can happen!

[JK]

I'm loving this week. After seeing 4 spoons in a row recently and fade outs like last year I am still in shock that Westies are there. It was quite tedious going to the footy from 2005-11 knowing your team is gonna get smacked and copping it from opposition supporters knowing that you have no comeback.

Go Bloods, anything can happen!

We went through a similar thing from 04-09 mate, so can understand how you feel .. For all the negative comments he's copped over the years, AC has done a remarkable job turning your club around, as Bass has done for us, with one of them about to receive the ultimate reward.

[Brodlach]

I'm loving this week. After seeing 4 spoons in a row recently and fade outs like last year I am still in shock that Westies are there. It was quite tedious going to the footy from 2005-11 knowing your team is gonna get smacked and copping it from opposition supporters knowing that you have no comeback.

Go Bloods, anything can happen!

Well said PG

I still go to the footy expecting to lose, even though I am usually a positive person. Going tomorrow with low expectations but will gladly take the win. To win tomorrow will be great for not only the club but for those blokes that go ever week even through the woeful times. Players come and go but some of these supporters have been there for decades and have seen some utter crap. Respect to those blokes.