I had a sleeping tablet last night and
still had a restless sleep...
Mixed emotions, not expecting to get close,
getting so close!!
It's been a great odd year run for the last
7 years Cats! Shitted off we lost to the Hawks, but minus Lewis, Cyril and Buddy
Hungry i don't mind watching the Dawks. (My fav part of the game was the last 15
seconds when Buddy useless and Cyril got their first touches.) All night I
pondered what might've been, tossing and turning... It's funny, I didn't expect
much from 2013, but I never have had any expectations of the cats, because
growing up I always felt so disappointed. Every grand final I've gone in since
the 90's with no expectations, same as this year which is why i almost let
myself believe..
Contrary to popular belief I have grown
from that supporter I now hate, arrogant, whingy and gloaty to a really content
supporter. I'm glad to have seen the dynasty evolve.
I was chronically teased as a kid. Going
for the hand baggers (didn't help that I looked like a boy). I remember being at
Waverley Park- the cats were getting smashed and i'd just got Leigh Colberts
signature for the 9th time (he was injured often)...i was nearly in tears I told
a kid smaller than me that going for the cats was just a life of upset and
despair to choose another team! (i hope that kid still goes for the cats)!! The
next year my fav player, the captain, Leigh 'Stain' Colbert quit the cats and I
was so gutted. I thought about it too but mum talked me out of it.
In 2001 I managed to hide a cats guernsey
at work until it was marked down to $3. Season 2002 i spotted a young up and
coming player, I was torn whether he would be any good so sewed the number 3
loosely on the back (so if he was crap I could unpick it or put another 3 next
to it for the other player i thought was alright The other became my equal Fav
player Max 'Wolverine' Rooke.) He wasn't crap. He was and still is amazing...My
Jimmmmmmmy Bartel.
I remember driving down to the Cattery,
round 5 2007, we'd finished 12th the season before and lost 2/4 games. Dale, Jim
and I were sacking bomber Thompson that day. We lost, but saw glimpses of hope.
We didn't lose another game until the last round where we were dancing around in
the back line time wasting and port got the ball and kicked the winning goal.
That grand final was out of control. The lead up was frightening. Just scraping
through against Collingwood. That grand final is one of my lifes best memories.
I spent it with my best mate Josh and his dad Ronny. Our pleb standing room
tickets were useless, we couldn't see a thing so we all did a dash past security
in to the AFL members and watched it on the wing. For most supporters the game
was over at half time. For Geelong supporters it took a bit longer. I cracked a
smile at 3/4 time and managed to spend the whole final quarter enjoying it
celebrating every goal by jumping on someone next to me. Sure they loved it
too... Amazing.
Although 2008 was disappointing, I really didn't care, I was still so content from the previous year accomplishment.
2009 was an unexpected bonus, I was in London, everyone thought i would fly home. i didnt. i watched it with my sister, and the West London Wildcats at 5am in a pub in Fulham. Although we were losing I felt like we would win at 3/4 time, I rang dad and told him not to worry. We had this. It was so exciting that Rookey sealed it. Bonus.
2011 we were done for. Too old, too slow.
Turned out being the greatest no expectations premiership win I can think of, I
heard all week from Mick Boylan in the lead up, about how the pies would open
the corridor and smash the cats. I believed they would too. I was so glad when
Jimmy Bartel kicked the sealer. Too old, too slow, too good!! 
I love the Cats. Through thick and thin.
And I don't particularly dislike any other team, I just don't love them like the
cats.
