Purely Amateur: Withdrawal Symptoms

[Q.]

This is the first in, hopefully, a series of articles I'll write on amateur football. You will be forgiven for thinking that the title of the series 'Purely Amateur' is a reflection on the quality of my musings


Purely Amateur: Withdrawal Symptoms

by SAFooty's "Quichey"

It is hard for me to imagine life without football. And when I say ‘life without football’, I mean life without rolling up to training every Tuesday and Thursday night, laughing with the lads about the rollicking weekend you just had, kicking the dew of your hallowed turf as you incur the wrath of your passionate coach, and finally winding down in your homely clubrooms with a well-earned beer. It’s barely bearable to think of life without it all. And I haven’t even got to game day yet.

After returning to the country after a six month stint of gallivanting across international borders, it is safe to say that there was one thing, above all else, that I pined for. To kick a footy (Vegemite was a close second). In fact, my mere obsession with playing the game led to me talking about it incessantly with the only person I could talk about it with while away, my partner, and it very nearly led her to cancel our engagement. I also think my arrival home heralded the only time in our relationship that she has been relieved to let me loose with the lads from the footy club. It certainly felt great to set foot on the oval and pick up the Sherrin once again, despite the obvious jetlag.

Since returning, I have learned that a friend and former vice-captain of the club has made the agonising decision to hang up the boots for the year. His knee is troubling him, a second child is on the way and he and his family are about to move into their new home. And yet it was not an easy choice, a catalyst for many sleepless nights and much indecision. He loves his footy and it will be hard to watch it from the sidelines, no longer feeling the pre-game adrenaline rushes, the white-line fever, the pat on the head after you lay solid tackle, the raw inspiration of a simple act of footballing bravery, the collective elation when your teammate nails a goal, the warmth of a post-game beer in the changerooms, and the triumph as you walk through the doors of the clubrooms after a victorious day.

I don’t doubt that the atmosphere in the clubrooms after a win is still great for everyone, player or supporter, but at the end of the night, when all the punters have left and it’s just you and the lads dribbling on about the game, nothing beats being a part of that team. And regardless of your ability, Div 1 A-Grader or Div 7 B-Grader, taking to the field each Saturday always trumps standing on the sidelines. There is something special about being involved in amateur football and to imagine life without it, well, I simply can’t.

[CK]

One of the best articles about this level of footy I have ever read

I played country footy for around ten years and nothing beats being on that side of the line. The friendships you make - either teammates or enemies on the day, but mates otherwise; the smell of the liniment when you walk in the changerooms on a Thursday night, bag over the shoulder and yarning with the boys about the week, and the game coming up on Saturday; that feeling of butterflies, even at that level when listening to the pre-match address; that smell of a new Sherrin when you roll it between the fingers, running out to start the game; that split second when you have the ball and have to make the lightning decision about where to go with it.....

I'm really lucky to see some very special sights in the roles I do in SANFL, but there is always that slight feeling of envy when I go into the rooms after a game, or watch from the sidelines and think back to those days. When you're playing, like being told with schooldays that they are the "best days of your life", its difficult to think at times, what life will be like when you can't pull on the boots anymore. When that day finally comes, its a pretty heavy one. My day came with little warning and to not get the chance to know it was a last game, made it that bit more difficult.

Thanks for a fantastic read, Quichey. Looking forward to more.

[JK]

Great read mate!!

I think I took footy and that mateship for granted a bit in my day, so all I'll say to anyone still involved is, make the most of it and believe that one day it will be gone as you know it ... For many they will be the best years of your lives, but they don't last forever and are sorely missed when the boots have been hung up and the body starts creaking lol.

[Booney]

Great read mate,especially for one of those who retired way too early.

I had a family at a young age and tried to couple family,work,footy and cricket. My thoughts were that I'd be able to play cricket for much longer so I gave footy away to play cricket and enjoy some family time still. Once I was to the age of 27 ( when I retired ) my lad was already playing footy himself so I got back amongst it, somewhat, obviously not the same though.

Do I regret retiring early? Yes I do, but I dont regret choosing my family first or the fact my dodgy groin no longer gives me grief for the bulk of winter. I sure dont miss that. I made an albeit brief ( 2 games ) comeback in 2005 after 3 years out of the game and in the first game back got flattened twice,big time, the second one causing a 3 day on and off blood nose.Along with the old groin problem surfacing it made my mind up for good.

I have since coached school sides which my son played in and currently assist in his junior team at an amatuer club. the club has an old farts team and they bug me each and every week to come out. Might just have to fit a game or two in this year. As long as I dont have to stand The Weed or Luke Norman, they still look fit enough to play SANFL, well, almost.

Good read mate.

[Q.]

Most clubs would see talented young men who let their lethargy overcome them and, I think that no matter what you say to them, they just don't realise what they too easily give up. There is only a small window when you are at you're healthiest, your prime, when you bounce up off the deck (like a cork in the ocean ) after heavy hit like it never happened. And yet they throw away their best years to sit at home and do nothing.

And then you have your family men and ageing warriors who agonise over their decision, knowing very well what it is they are giving up. You'd think the decision would be easier for them than the young lads, but it rarely seems that way.

[Dogwatcher]

The dreaded R word has been popping up in my mind of recent times.
At 33, the best (what there was of it) is well past.
The knees are creaking, the back's not much better and I've never been a fitness machine so blokes are catching me quite easily.
I planned on not playing trials this year.
But guess what? First trial's tomorrow. I'm in. Can't stay away.
Told the coach I'll probably only play a half but we all know that won't happen.
My coach told me I could where I like, HFF is an option, but I'll chuck myself in the middle, I'm sure.
What would I do without all of this????

[Booney]

What would I do without all of this????

[Dogwatcher]

Hence, I still play

[BenchedEagle]

Yep great post Quichey. Im the sorta guy that cant handle watching from sidelines, when i could be out there. Last year was very hard for me as my job kept me away on those cold wet windy Saturdays where any sane person would wanna be rugged up at home. I wanted to be at the club or on the road travelling to another club! Nothing beats that.
Now as i turn 30 during this season, im cherishing every game i play in, never know which could be my last.