AFL football is a hard game. On a weekly basis it asks questions of its players both physically and mentally. Bodies are constantly punished to the extent that lifelong consequences may result. So why is it that we play this game of Australian Rules Football?
The answer, ‘Premierships’ and ‘Friendships’.
Forget the individual accolades that come with the game. For the vast majority of AFL footballers, awards such as the Brownlow medal and All-Australian status are all but a pipe-dream. Sure, it is nice to receive some recognition for individual performance, but the ultimate success stems from that last Saturday in September. A premiership is shared amongst 22 men, all striving towards the same goal.
From the highest profile players to those playing a negating role, all are viewed on the same level on this day. There is no better feeling, whether it be the under 15’s or the AFL, than sharing this with 21 blokes you have developed the utmost respect for. It’s on this day you’re rewarded for the laps run and weights lifted that commenced some ten months earlier.
Throughout the hard work at a football club you meet some amazing people. What occupation allows you to socialize with 40 of your best mates each day? It is in this environment that you forge friendships that last a lifetime.
At the end of 2007 I left Geelong and moved up the highway to the Western Bulldogs. This was one of the hardest decisions I have made in my short life, the reason for this being leaving some of my mates. After much thought the move was made in a bid for additional opportunities. These opportunities come on two levels.
- An opportunity to further my football career
- An opportunity to meet new people.
As hard as it was leaving friends in Geelong, they will always be great mates. In addition, the move to the Bulldogs has provided me with additional friendships and an opportunity to meet some great people. If the easy option was taken and Geelong remained home, these people would be nothing more than another face in the crowd. In hindsight, this would have been the greatest regret in my life.
I’m a happy little Bulldog!
