In our family we consider ourselves Swans supporters not fans. I'm not sure how the distinction came about but I guess it is from my elderly Dad's way of thinking about the club and the team. In his eyes you support the team through thick & thin, good times & bad times. You go to games regardless of the weather or seating conditions, you just go. There is no jumping on and off bandwagons, threats to microwave memberships, etc. He sees a day at the football as an event. Win lose or draw he always finds something positive to come out of the day. (Yes, he even found a positive out of the GF..... 'it will give the players a chance to show their true character when they come out next year')
During the season he comes over every Monday after the game and watches the replay with my son. It was no different with the Grand Final.
We have now watched all of the games from 2014 again, losses and all. Maybe we are a bit weird but that's how we are. Our feelings after the GF were not anger or embarrassment. We just felt sad for the players. No one goes out to play a game like they did. It just happened.
Whether they can pick themselves up again after that won't make one bit of difference to how we support the club.
To those who haven't watched the GF because they are still angry, I suggest force yourself to watch at least some of it, or watch the other games from the season. It can be cathartic at best and at worst you can have a good yell at the TV and let out some of the frustration!
Bookmarks