Aussie Rules

Aussie Rules

You may have been around long enough to read me express my thoughts on Aussie Rules Football and that is, I have little interest in it, except to say at the end of the season I want Carlton to not be on the bottom of the ladder, Collingwood not to be on the top. And for the Cup (the trophy if you like) to stay in Victoria or interstate.

Until 1990, it was known as VFL, and all teams resided in Victoria. Yes, I just asked Google! And then after teams started to merge with others in other states around Australia. So, with the exception of my last preference that the Cup remain in Victoria I definitely would prefer Collingwood doesn’t win.

Carlton, a very common team to be followed by Italians was not doing well until mid-year and suddenly, they were in with a chance.

I honestly thought my father might have had something to do with this from, you know, up there. What! It could happen and the weeks of the Semi-Final’s, they fluffed it. I didn’t watch it at all but again, consult my carers and google for the long and short answers. I love that my carers do watch it and have an interest.

So, if you read my last post, you would have caught their line that the “Most Hated Team” won. I know people that love them. However, they have had the culture of being “One-Eyed!” And racist and homophobic, etc, etc. need I say more?

Apparently, after the win this year Smith Street Collingwood was one big party. A celebration. Locals I know in that area lost their voices and were very hungover the next day. It wasn’t me hungover so I’m with it.

Aussie Rules

I grew up in an era where Aussie Rules was made up only of Victorian teams. Therefore, it was called VFL (Victorian Football League).

VFL1

It was pretty stock standard that coming from a family of some Italian heritage, we went for Carlton, I’m not complaining, I understand Collingwood supporters that went for that team and more primary school kids growing up in Collingwood would greet new kids at school with the question “What team do you go for?”

Carlton

Day 1. New kids would answer with another team other than Collingwood – they would get a hiding

Day 2. Repeat of day 1

Day 3. Repeat of day 1 & 2

New kids decided it was better to be a Collingwood supporter. I heard this story about fifteen years ago and I imagine it dated back to when I was a kid also.

Collingwood

I don’t really follow any sport, it was never really a huge interest of mine. Apparently, that alone makes me un-Australian.

However, in the late 90’s, I went out one particular Saturday night in Melbourne, I thought I was very obviously dressed for clubbing.

I wore a little Dottie dress, white opaque tights with black fishnets over the top (or something like that) 10-up Doc Martins and even though I wore make up, pale face (not white, but no highlights, and bright spicy lips)

Polka dot dress

I also wore my red and blue furry jacket, despite this jacket, I was likely going to a Goth club.

I understand that weekend was the semi-final for the football. There was an out of state team playing and a Melbourne Team.

I caught the train to the city and went to get off at Southern Cross station. As the train came to a stop I was waiting at the door ready to get off, the platform was packed with football fans. Must have been around 11pm.

As the train pulled up and the doors opened, the older guys facing me looked behind them and the crowd roared.

train

Normally, they should have parted to let people off the train before they all rushed to get on. They didn’t look prepared to move.

I reached up to my collar exposing my studded leather and spike bracelet and scratched at my leather and press stud choker.

The crowd parted and I had to move through the crowd to the escalators. It would seem my jacket was the same colour as the team that played that weekend.

Admittedly, I’m not a big football supporter and at the end of the season. I care that Carlton is not on the bottom, Collingwood is not on the top and the Cup stays in our State.

I guess it doesn’t make a bit of difference to my life who wins or loses…