There are some feelings that are ingrained. That have their roots much deeper than any single event. They have been built up by a series of encounters, each significant in some small way, and each building on the foundation of the previous. These feelings become much bigger than the subject itself, they take on a life of their own, and if I tried to explain where they come from, I could only point at each instance individually, rather than give a reasoned account. Which is why Essendon’s miserable failure this season has been so sweet.
I was born in 1984. That year Essendon won the premiership. There have been very few years since that time that Essendon has not had a significant impact on the football season, and even fewer that they have not at least made the finals. Every year, you believe that they could possibly win the premiership. Just because they are Essendon. And Essendon are always a good team.
Which would be fine, I don’t have any problem with teams that are consistently good. I don’t begrudge Brisbane’s 3-time premiership effort in the slightest. I have a huge appreciation for the Hawthorn juggernaut of the 80s. I really enjoyed watching Pagan’s Kangaroos at their poetic finest in the mid-90s. Because being good is fine. Just don’t rub everyone’s nose in it.
And if there’s one thing that all Essendon supporters know how to do, it’s rub peoples noses in their success. The year that Essendon almost went the entire season without losing was an impressive effort. But the way that the Essendon followers raved about the wonders of this great team you would think that they had cured AIDS, brought world peace and lowered interest rates. But really, they’d won one premiership. Only one. Even Port Adelaide don’t go on about their flag as much as the Bombers.
Don’t think that I’m overreacting to an isolated incident. This has been far more ongoing than that. 2000 was difficult but the damage was perpetrated long before those days. For years growing up through all primary school, they were everywhere. Little Essendon supporters, always ready to give a score of how the Bombers went on the weekend when they’d had a win, never around if they’d been beaten. No other team has the ability to generate so many supporters by short-term success than Essendon, they come from everywhere.
So it was bitterly disappointing to see the poor bombers go down to lowly Geelong this evening. Poor Essendon. May this only be the beginning.
Geoff is a 25 year old Database Administrator Consultant. He was a volunteer youth leader at Yarra Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship for 6 years, but doesn't do that any more. He is cursed with barracking for Richmond. His favourite number is 17 and his favourite song is Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley
You cut me deep, and I don’t even care that much about football.
shame on you.
Thought about titling this post “Bitter and Twisted” – might have been closer to the mark. Hopefully you understand that it’s not personal – I feel the same way about all Essendon supporters equally
.
ha ha.
oh jefff, you have really made me laugh with this one
may this only be the beginning indeed. (mind you, i cant talk that much. the worst supporters after essendon are collingwood. so…
)
You just wait Sam, Collingwood’s time will come. I’m waiting for Collingwood to get bad again – no point kicking you unless you’re already down……
oh Geoff I’m not impressed.
hmmm, the first footy post on this blog that I have read from beginning to end. All I can say is that the Bombers will be back.
I can picture those young things with their Essendon jumpers and sneers! I’m just really relieved that Geelong won so I could pretend to hold my head up.
Well, there’s no doubt, this is the most emotional response I’ve ever had to a post, and it was about football! To think, some people (cough,cough,Christina,cough,Bec) wanted to get rid of the football in this blog. Wait a moment, they’re both Essendon supporters, and this year they don’t want to talk about fooball. Coincidence – I think not!
Thanks for the support mum – at least Geelong have had enough pain inflicted on them through the years that they feel for those who are struggling.
*nodding*
but do you remember 1989? Do you remember when Yablett regularly would kick 14 goals against the hapless, bumbling Tiges?
I was there at Waverley for the qualy in 1995!!! I actually thought we might perhaps, sorta, kinda, possibly, at least make a contest of it, but standing in our way -again- was Geelong, with the great one on song.
How good is beating the bombers AND the cats in one year???!!! oh happy day…
Yeah, but there’s a difference. I really enjoy beating the cats, and I do remember the years of humiliation at the hands of G.Ablett, but I don’t really care if other teams beat Geelong. I’d mostly prefer if they didn’t. But when it comes to a team like Essendon, it’s rare that I wouldn’t at least crack a smile when they get beaten.