Thank you from an Eagles fan

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Mike_B
It's only ever a small minority of supporters who give their team's supporters a bad name as a whole.

In talking to a lot of Eagles fans outside the ground, at Crown etc we all seemed to agree that it was a great game, and 1-1 over the last 2 years was a fair result. There was definitely a level of mutual respect and understanding of what each other were going through with experiences of last year to draw on.

The thing I learnt after the last few days was how it must have felt for West Coast fans after the match last season. I had no idea that losing a GF would be THAT painful, that depressing, that disheartening. Despite often laughing away and appearing Ok on the outside, I am still hopelessly depressed. I can now only really understand what the Eagles fans were feeling in 2005.

The great majority of Eagles fans were actually OK after the Grand Final. Some of them were really loud and boisterous at Young & Jacksons & the Casino in the days after the match. You'd hear them singing or yelling and kind of cower away. It was really really hard to have to be anywhere near that to be honest; my first reaction when I heard lots of Eagles supporters yelling was to put my head down and get out of the area. I kept on asking myself whether we were this loud and unavoidable in 2005.

I'm determined to be NOT start crap up now about West Coast after having lost the GF. I'm gutted, am down, but do NOT want to be seen as a poor loser.

I think alot of the WCE supporters are starting to realise how awesome our rivalry is becoming. I even got friendly nods of respect from several of them in town the next day as I returned from the presentation at South Melbourne.

I think Mike Sheehan summed things up the best in his article in the Hun. He said that when the Eagles play the Swans, it is not a matter of who played better & deserved to win. It is just a matter of who happened to be in front on the scoreboard when the siren went.

JF

[Wardy]

Whilst there were a heap of feral WC fans about, there were a few Swan ferals too. - The hotel I stayed at the guys in the room next door (all west coast supporters) helped me down to the hotel reception with my loads of luggage (that had to be removed from my car after the accident the night before) they commiserated with me but insisted on helping me in my hour of need - which was great. We had a chat about the game, and we all agreed that it could have gone either way and none of us would have missed it. They redeemed my faith in opposition football team supporters.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by benny_w
Hey W84.
Sorry for that post
I'm not a thug just getting stuff off my chest.
Very upset and downcast after losing the GF and I say things that I don't mean


Benny_w

LesCygnes went a tad overboard in trying to snot that bloke. Especially because he is as thin as a broomstick and would be needing people like ME to have to bail him out if he did get into a fracas.

The Eagles supporter was actually just eating his pizza. Then LesCygnes chased him, looking for it.

People like Cher were worried that we were getting a tad too feral. In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again. Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.

All a tad embarrassing when you look back, to be honest.

JF

[Captain]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again. Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.

What's wrong with him???

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

Not for me to say mate.

JF

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
LesCygnes went a tad overboard in trying to snot that bloke. Especially because he is as thin as a broomstick and would be needing people like ME to have to bail him out if he did get into a fracas.

Oh do tell...

The Eagles supporter was actually just eating his pizza. Then LesCygnes chased him, looking for it.

Stupid ferals...

People like Cher were worried that we were getting a tad too feral.

She was right!

In a way it was a relief that Ando had his turn again.

I'm sure Robbie will thank you for that comment...

Because we became more worried about his welfare as opposed to drinking lots and goading unsuspective Eagles fans.

All a tad embarrassing when you look back, to be honest.

Honestly, do ya think...!!!

[swansrock4eva]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself

[Captain]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself

I too took a turn. It started when the siren went and I haven't been able to smile since.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
It's all good Captain, he's fine now. It was just a bit of a big day. I vaguely remember a similar big day last year myself

I had a big Grand Final Eve this time around. I swear I will NEVER EVER drink Ouzo ever ever again!

JF

[Ruda Wakening]

Originally posted by Captain
What's wrong with him???

Plenty.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by Ruda Wakening
Plenty.

Post of the offseason.

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
The thing I learnt after the last few days was how it must have felt for West Coast fans after the match last season. I had no idea that losing a GF would be THAT painful, that depressing, that disheartening. Despite often laughing away and appearing Ok on the outside, I am still hopelessly depressed. I can now only really understand what the Eagles fans were feeling in 2005.

I reckon you need to lose a close one to really know what it's like - at least you guys could remember what it was like being on the other foot a year earlier. But yeah, the devastation of a close GF loss; you just don't have time to prepare yourself for the inevitable during the game, so it hurts more.

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
The great majority of Eagles fans were actually OK after the Grand Final. Some of them were really loud and boisterous at Young & Jacksons & the Casino in the days after the match. You'd hear them singing or yelling and kind of cower away. It was really really hard to have to be anywhere near that to be honest; my first reaction when I heard lots of Eagles supporters yelling was to put my head down and get out of the area. I kept on asking myself whether we were this loud and unavoidable in 2005.

Probably. I was cowering away I'd say. But the singing and chanting you'd hear isn't at all about rubbing it in - its about celebrating your win. You guys know that from last year, and we do too. The only difference this year is that we both knew were the other side were coming from.

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I'm determined to be NOT start crap up now about West Coast after having lost the GF. I'm gutted, am down, but do NOT want to be seen as a poor loser.

I only saw one Swans fan who took the loss bad enough to be crude, and there was nothing they could do to make Eagles fans annoyed. On the whole, the Swans fans I saw were good natured, but we all knew you were burning up inside, because we've been there.

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I think alot of the WCE supporters are starting to realise how awesome our rivalry is becoming. I even got friendly nods of respect from several of them in town the next day as I returned from the presentation at South Melbourne.

Well, as Mead over on EFH posted: if you're going to make a prediction on Round 1 2007, tip the Swans by 0.25 points. It's the logical progression.

[j s]

Originally posted by Mr Q
I
Well, as Mead over on EFH posted: if you're going to make a prediction on Round 1 2007, tip the Swans by 0.25 points. It's the logical progression.

Actually it's 0.5 a point - Mead forgot the 2pt margin in the h&a game this year. It will be 0.25 on September 29 though

[swansrock4eva]

As long as it doesn't end up being 0.25 of the other team's score! That might suck a bit...

[Cosmic Wizard]

Re: Thank you from an Eagles fan

Originally posted by W84
My respect for the Swans and their supporters is immense.

After the game, I was in a pub that was crammed with Eagles and Swans supporters. The Swans supporters were shattered and had looks of disappointment on their faces, yet they had the dignity to remain at the pub and act gracefully. They even shared in singing ballads with us. I shook a lot of their hands, and they were only too welcoming to share in pleasent conversations. Bitterness was lost within every single one of them.

One Swans bloke even gave me a Weg poster to take home.

My respect towards the Swans as a club, team and supporter base has grown so much over the last couple of years, and it grows with every meeting between us and you guys.

You guys are awesome.

Like I said to many of the Swans supporters yesterday and last night, "We'll see you next season".

Much respect, and comiserations on the loss.

/W84

I was congratulated by WC supporters for being such a good sport. The group around us, was wonderful, both sides cheering
their sides in good measures, but such a lovey respect.

Unlike most Melbourne teams, which hate anyone else.

Sure i saw many a drunk WC support before the game and after, but I cant remember any louts. Might be the luck of the draw.

All in all, it such a nice change from other teams.

Hope we can continue the brillant games in the future.