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Thought I would share this funny story with you all, if I share it enough then it becomes funny and not embarrassing.
Anwyay I was invited to the Eagles vs Essendon game last Saturday. Now it has taken me three seasons to understand the rules of footie and i barely know my team (the Eagles of course). So i rock up to the footie in my blue and yellow regalia (which just so happends to be my Higlanders colours too, so another score in favour of the Eagles).
The first gaff of the day was when I asked my friend who Kevin Sheedy was?? The look of absolute amazement was priceless. "You don't know who Kevin Sheedy is?" My reply of course was a raised eyebrow and an emphatic "No!". By this stage I knew he must be someone pretty important.(duh!!! Gee ya think!).
I then venture into the stands and discover that we are sitting not only in the Essendon quarter but beside all the Essendon footballer wivers, directors, parents etc. Not a flash of "blue and yellow" for miles. Okay, good thing I brought my plain jacket in case I need to cover up. Didn't want to start a fight!
We were early so I'm trying to encourage those not wearing Essendon colours to venture to the "dark side" and cheer with me, or at least be Switzerland and be neutral.
Two guys come and sit beside me and yay, they're not in Essendon colours, so I ask "Please tell me you two don't support Essendon".
My friend whispers in my ear "That guy played in the 2000 winning premier team for Essendon". GAFF NUMBER TWO. My god feeling really good by this time. So trying to redeem myself and make it light hearted I leaned over to him and quietly said "Sorry about that, if it's any consolation - I didn't even know who Kevin Sheedy was!"
Not even a smile. Boy - where is their sense of humour.
The Game starts! Eagles are flying high and I'm flying with them, screaming and cheering and waving my scarf. By the second quarter I realised that I was annoying everyone around me, including my friend who by now was deeply regretting inviting me. By half time the ex-prem players beside me exit the grandstand, and yes, they don't come back. I console myself by thinking they've gone to a better place, like a corporate box or something, and not flown home early.
Just an aside note, I went to the bathroom before half time and they (the ex-prem players) commented to my friend "Boy she's loud", to which an apology was forthcoming (I wouldn't have apologised, no way!!!!)
I broke by the second half and thought I better be considerate of my fellow footie followers (regardless of their affiliations) and tone it down a bit. So I spent the third quarter reading the memorial book to Kevin Sheedy and James Hird, who I knew by this stage, in fact James' wife and three kids were sitting behind me (just thought I'd name drop for a minute).
It was an interesting read and distracted me from the hiding the Eagles were giving the Essendon team. Up by 50 points "In the bag!"
The last quarter, everyone knows what happened. I was deaf for two days from the noise of all the Essendon supporters, especially when they came within two points. Prayers and lots of "holding my breath" prevailed and before I flaked out we managed to win the day. A "not pretty" finish, we still won.
You'll be pleased to know that I was a gracious winner and even enjoyed the presentation for Kevin Sheedy and James Hird who by this time (after reading their life stories) I felt I knew.
So do you think I'll be invited to another footie game???????????