Diary of a Collingwood supporter: Grand Final Eve

[Q.]

I make a point of trying not to live vicariously through the AFL and SANFL clubs I support. This isn’t to suggest that I’m against the religious-like fervour that comes with barracking for your chosen club, rather it says more about me and my Machiavellian tendency to not get swept up in a chain of emotions that I will have no control of. Yet, here I sit, on the eve of the AFL Grand Final, without an appetite and wondering whether I will be able to sleep tonight.

Watching the football has become mostly a non-sentimental, analytical exercise for me as I study the progress of individual players and ultimately the coaching tactics employed each week. Lucky for me, the Magpies are coached by one of the greatest tacticians in the game. It is even more pleasurable to watch the players execute an attacking and exciting brand of football under Malthouse’s tutorage. It has culminated in them being one of the top two sides this year and sitting as the short-priced favourite for the big dance.

Maybe that’s why I am suddenly so nervous. There wasn’t this expectation of greatness in 2002 and 2003 during the juggernautical height of the Brisbane Lions reign, which is why I was probably more relaxed back then. It’s a different story this time around. The Magpies were the minor premiers and are the clear favourites. If we lose this one, then out comes the ‘Colliwobble’ tag from the haters. I’ll go into hiding should it happen, not out of shame, but for your own safety. I promise I will leap across the room and punch you in the face should I hear the word come from your mouth.

Since those Grand Final disappointments at the hands of Brisbane I have played in two of my own Grand Final losses. I believe it is from those scars that stem my inability to distance myself emotionally from this occasion. I want the Magpies to win because I want to see the sheer ecstacy in the players’ faces as they realise the pinnacle of their careers. On the flip-side, I couldn’t bear to see utter disappointment in their expressions. It will give me flashbacks to my own feelings of guttedness and I will unintentionally burst into my best Paul Licuria post-2002 GF impersonation.

Yes, here I sit, uncontrollably swept up in the might of one of the greatest days of the year. I’m edgy. I’m nauseous. I’m s***ting bricks and I’m not even playing tomorrow.

And I think I like it.

[Dogwatcher]

It's a good thing isn't it Quichey. But, being a Pies supporter, it can so quickly turn to sh*t.
I have no grandiose visions that my club is the greatest. We have a great history though - despite what some might try to tell us.
I won't punch anyone, or even look like it if we lose but I know I will be devestated, as I was in 02 when we got so close.
In 03 it was over early so no reason to get upset.
I hope for a good game and with the right result.
But, if it isn't, to quote an Australian footballer who quoted a bushranger, such is life. It moves on afterwards. Life and death it ain't, despite all the emotions I feel now and will do tomorrow.

[redandblack]

This is not a Grand Final for the independent observer.

The worst game of football to watch is the one where you can't stand either team, but there are times in life when the unthinkable becomes not only thinkable, but sneakingly acceptable.

This is such a time.

I hope Collingwood win. They're the best team this year. They play good footy. St Kilda have Stephen Milne.

Then I falter. St Kilda have the wonderful Sam Fisher, they have Rhys Stanley.

But no, I'm hoping Quichey and DW have something to celebrate.

There, I've said it. Just this once, never again.

May the footy gods have mercy on my soul.

[Dogwatcher]

It doesn't feel so bad does it?

[redandblack]

Don't push it, DW

[the big bang]

i'm with you 100% of the way Q.

i've never been so nervouse in my life.

i've sunk a few beers, in the hope it will help me sleep. we'll see in a couple hours if that plan worked.

c'mon boys, just one more, just one more. it's not as though you owe us anything, but we just need it.

just one more game.

[Q.]

Yep, the beers and DW's 'Que Sera, Sera' are going down a treat at the moment

[Q.]

Original post will again apply this coming Friday

[Media Park]

Original post will again apply this coming Friday

That's the spirit...

[valleys07]

Que any cats or pies fans to thread......

[Q.]

Not nervous at all this year. Last year kicked the monkey off the back, ended the drought for the supporters. This year would just be a bonus.

I think I'm also not as confident in our chances this time around. We haven't played good footy for well over a month ago and we are limping into this GF. Geelong were fortunate to get a bye close to the finals series and I think they have managed their player fitness a bit better.

I would like to see Collingwood win, not for my own reason to celebrate, but to send Mick off in style.

[tigerpie]

true we havent been playing up to our best but we still have found a way to win.

last weeks comeback has instilled some confidence that we may be getting back to our best.

if our big guns fire we are in it up to our back teeth, but if they dont we are in strife.
i'm with you, lets send mick off with a win....he deserves it!!!

[OnSong]

Best team all year or best team when it counts?

Watched the Pies last week and they didn't deserve to win. Lucky to do so.

Dale Thomas will want to put his head over it with a bit more conviction this weekend.

Perhaps the Nick Lower bump still lingers in the memory.

[tigerpie]

Geez on song bit harsh. We were all over hawthorn in the last. lucky to be only a few down at 3/4 time you may mean.

As for DT he's never shirked in a contest so i think you are off the mark with that comment.

[OnSong]

Geez on song bit harsh. We were all over hawthorn in the last. lucky to be only a few down at 3/4 time you may mean.

As for DT he's never shirked in a contest so i think you are off the mark with that comment.

Did you watch the game last week? I saw every little panicked kick/turnover/fumble. He was terrible.

Great player, but if last week was anything to go by, isn't coping well with pressure lately.

[Psyber]

I found myself barracking for Collingwood against St Kilda, but I'll be with Geelong this time.

[cripple]

This is not a Grand Final for the independent observer.

The worst game of football to watch is the one where you can't stand either team, but there are times in life when the unthinkable becomes not only thinkable, but sneakingly acceptable.

This is such a time.

I hope Collingwood win. They're the best team this year. They play good footy. St Kilda have Stephen Milne.

Then I falter. St Kilda have the wonderful Sam Fisher, they have Rhys Stanley.

But no, I'm hoping Quichey and DW have something to celebrate.

There, I've said it. Just this once, never again.

May the footy gods have mercy on my soul.

Thought you were talking about this year until I got down to St Kilda. All i have to do is replace St Kilda with Geelong, S Milne with M Scarlett, S Fisher with J Bartel and Stanley with Christensen. Only time I will ever barrack for Collingwood in a decider is this weekend.

[Q.]

Geez on song bit harsh. We were all over hawthorn in the last. lucky to be only a few down at 3/4 time you may mean.

As for DT he's never shirked in a contest so i think you are off the mark with that comment.

Did you watch the game last week? I saw every little panicked kick/turnover/fumble. He was terrible.

Great player, but if last week was anything to go by, isn't coping well with pressure lately.

Agree. The tackle on Rioli made up for all of it though.

The problem was, he was far from alone in being a squib last week. Hope it's a different story tomorrow.

[tigerpie]

the holiday he had to have may have had some impact last week as it was a pretty intense game. i reckon he'll be cherry ripe today tho.

[Rik E Boy]

Not nervous at all this year. Last year kicked the monkey off the back, ended the drought for the supporters. This year would just be a bonus.

I think I'm also not as confident in our chances this time around. We haven't played good footy for well over a month ago and we are limping into this GF. Geelong were fortunate to get a bye close to the finals series and I think they have managed their player fitness a bit better.

I would like to see Collingwood win, not for my own reason to celebrate, but to send Mick off in style.

I was waiting to see what you posted after the game. I felt in a similar way in 2008 but I was gutted that we lost to our nemesis the bloody Hawks yet again. So it seems were the Cats who haven't lost to them since. Every granny you lose is one you can't get back and no one knows that more than a Pies or Cats supporter. You seemed to have a good feel for the game and I was confident we would win it if Steve Johnson could play and play well. He can be frustrating at times but he must be hell to try and counter.

regards,

REB