If you are in the area of Ubon Ratchathani, like AFL and want to watch the grand final live then head to N-Joy (directions at this link) for some cold beer, a chat and hopefully a result my way.
The two clubs fighting out the grand final are both Victorian based clubs and are foundation clubs when the Victorian Football League (VFL) formed in 1897.
All my life, though it hasn’t been so long, I have barracked for The Collingwood Football Club also known as The Magpies, The Pies, The Woods, The Maggies, the bird on the club logo is a magpie.
The Magpies, is a team you either barrack for or hate. There is no in between usually. Any supporter of another team would almost always barrack for the team against Collingwood. Collingwood is a working class team; the supporters are joked about because of their passion for their team, and also their apparent hillbilly attributes.
But being a Magpie supporter you shrug this off, as you know that most of this is jealousy, Collingwood is hugely successful, well known around the world and a huge supporter base. It has 57,000 members and being so popular even had a movie made about supposed backroom dealings and antics.
I had seen Collingwood lose 4 premierships, in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981 and this was utter heartbreak for me. But in 1990 the Magpies broke a 32 year drought under the coaching of “Lethal” Leigh Mathews and captained by Tony Shaw.
Since then I have seen my beloved Pies lose grand finals in 2002 and 2003. So it has been 20 years between drinks for Collingwood supporters. In all we have made 39 grand final appearances. But this isn’t as bad as Saint Kilda supporters.
But for Saint Kilda supporters, Saint Kilda is Collingwood’s opponent on Saturday; they have just 6 grand finals since 1897. They were 1913, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1997 and 2009. And they won one of these in 1966.
The 1966 grand final was against Collingwood, before 101,655 fans at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) the home of football.
On the 24th of September 1966, Saint Kilda beat Collingwood by a solitary point; 1 point separated the two teams. It was a devastating loss for Collingwood but I am sure that this Saturday they will even the record up against Saint Kilda.
My father was a Saint Kilda supporter most his life before eventually jumping ship a few years ago, across to the Western Bulldogs. I have never thought of ditching Collingwood, they are my team for life; I am black and white through and through (the team’s colours).
I know that my dad is going to be cheering the Saints on, and my oldest brother Robert, a life long Saint Kilda supporter will be as well. Plus about any other person not a Collingwood supporter will be in the Saints corner. I on the other hand will be chewing my nails, screaming obscenities at the TV (directed at the umpires and players) and hoping that the mighty Magpies keep playing in the form they have been and don’t let the day overwhelm them.
I am sure that the coach, a legend called Mick Malthouse will have the players tip top, and when the final siren sounds after 2 hours, or 4 quarters of football we will be on top. If that is the case I will be able to call my father and gloat a little, but if reversed then he will be doing the same.
I have a tattoo ready to go if the Pies win, if they don’t it will be put away for another day. If they do win on Saturday I would have liked to get it done on the Sunday but I am not sure I would be in the best of conditions to have it done, so it could be on the Monday or even later in the week if the result is right.
Brunty
6 comments:
Oh when the saints go marching in ...... get a dog up ya, you bloody magpie!
Have a beer for me mate during the game and another one afterwards when you are drowning your sorrows!
Good old Collingwood forever,
They know how to play the game
Side by side we stick together...
We are a team, not just Saint Nick. The Saints have no chance as they are slow...
I will call you after we win when I am sculling victory champagne....
Only 1 beer during the game, I will see what I can do....
I never thought you would be so desperate to barrack for such a pathetic team.
Oh, and I am still the champion of Donkey, the reigning king.....
aliscerGood old Collingwood forever,
They know how to draw the game.....
Hahaha!
Maaateeeeee.... how is the hangover? I was happy as a pig in mud while I could feel the wrath of Brunty from 10,000 kms away!
I hope NJoy pub is still standing and that you didn't trash it to bad (typical Collingwood fan behaviour!)
Serious questions for you now: I am assuming you told Mrs Brunty that you were off to the pub to get drunk and watch the final. What are you going to tell her next weekend? No way is she going to believe that there is a grand final reply!
Draw, a bloody draw.
No hangover as I was a little crook, a sore throat, an infection so the beer wasn't going down too good.
I had 4 beers and then went home at the end as there was nothing to celebrate or mourn.
Next week :)
Yes, Miss Noot has been told and she knows that next week I will be off again. I have gone out and bought black and white streamers, and am making some Collingwood banners to decorate the bar.
This will get the Pies over the line for sure then.
So next week I can celebrate better with a better throat so the beer goes down better.
Side by side we stick together...
Brunty
The Pies looked beat after the game. Their confidence is shot. St Kilda by 5 goals.
Did Miss Noot actually believe your cock and bull story about a draw?
My Uncle had a yank staying and watched the game with him. Afterwards he made the comment that Aussie not only have draws in their elections but also in their super bowl!
Hey M8 im enjoying your blog,i intend doing a yr in Thailand with my wife.I plan to be teaching english,i do a tefl course in November, this how i happened across your blog.
And i think your mostly right as a bombers supporter Ill be barricking for the saints tho dont care if the pies get up.
well thanks for sharing your stories ..tc and chokdee..:D
Post a Comment