This goes out to the fans of Geelong and represents the views of MC Gregor (Mix Master D is still attempting to locate his pants after a long weekend of celebrating in and around Richmond).
Your team was dominant and yet you lost. This pain is not particularly new, and you wear such sadness like an Arts student wears a cardigan - proudly, if a little self-consciously.
Half of the Balls were fortunately enough to spend grand final weekend with a family of Geelong supporters (although the family matriach is a Melbourne fan...to her eternal credit). Prior to the game this family lined up for hours for their MCC tickets. They never complained, and genuinely seemed to enjoy the camraderie offered to the father and his three sons. They slept in a gutter - all for the hope of watching their team win.
It did not.
It was possibly the better side (certainly better over the year). But it lost.
And it's fans were outnumbered and subjected to the joys of the winning side.
Yet, upon returning from the surreal VIP afterparty (the Hawks fans were all watching replays, the Geelong fans shuffling sadly in front of Pete Murray), I returned to a stoic familial group.
They were hurt. They were sad. They were angry. But they did not give in to vitriol - not at their own players, nor the opposition, nor the world in general. They were Zen. And it broke the Balls' heart. The Balls remembered its own moody, resentful reaction to the 2005 GF loss. The Balls was humbled and in awe. This family knows who they are. I salute them. I also salute the other Geelong fans the Balls knows. They are all similarly stoic and generous.
Do I want to be like them? Yes. But I hope I don't have to be.
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2 comments:
it is only when you have nothing, that you have everything.
except a flag.
Searing. Pained. Pointed.
We take no joy from your pain dear friend, no joy at all.
Except Mix Master D who is still drunk from Saturday.
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