Just got talking to a couple of tweeps about which sides we don’t
like and I got thinking about my old ladder.
For years I had a physical ladder from some publication or
other onto which you could place each of the sides according to the official
ladder of the time. I tired quickly of that but, instead, made up a ladder of
my favourite sides in order.
Having sent five tweets this afternoon on the subject, and
because I haven’t blogged for a while on any
subject, I thought I’d revisit the situation for the new line-up.
- CarltonFairly obvious
- Greater Western SydneyI live in Western Sydney and have always loathed the Swans. Partly because I knew the Edelstens, and mainly because of Warwick Capper and what he continues to do for bogans everywhere. Plus the supporter-base of ex-rugby league no-nothings who constantly call to the referee for a penalty. Thankfully the Giants are going great guns: they have only won once this year but have come close on occasion: I saw their efforts against Richmond this weekend and have to give them props: they’re going to do much better, and soon!
- FremantleThere’s no real reason why these guys are up here. There’s just no real reason to dislike them
- Western BulldogsI attended my first AFL match at the G: it was the Dogs vs the Tiges in Round 16. I flipped a coin as to whom I would support: it came down for the Dogs, so I bought a hat. But they lost (only narrowly)! See http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/1994/071419940709.html
- St KildaI have liked this side since Spida Everitt played for them, but before his racial rant against Scott Chisholm (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/spida-wants-to-erase-a-dirty-memory/story-e6freck3-1225700538744) for which he atoned quite heavily (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Everitt), making him a better person for mine. I can’t think of any other reason than I always liked being there whenever I visit Melbourne, and my mate Dave (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719080725).
- North MelbourneCan’t say why I like these guys. Have to say that Wayne Carey is close to King Gronk, and is at least in the court, as is Denis Pagan, but for different reasons. I like Boomer, Arch, and big Micky Martin. Can’t think of a reason not to like them, to be honest
- EssendonThis side, among my compatriots, is referred to as the Scum. I’m sure the feeling is mutual! But I can’t think of a reason not to like them. I like Dean Rioli, James Hird (to an extent- was watching the match when he went to the fence and hugged the punter), and others I’m sure. When I was choosing a side to support, back in the mid 1990s, it was between these guys and the eventual “winners” which probably means they should be up at No.2…
- RichmondKnown as the Punt Road Ferals (the Punt Road runs through Richmond and past the MCG), Ninthmond (for their ability to finish ninth in a competition where the top 8 go on to the finals), and the Tiges. They’re the side I love to see do well, except when playing the Blues. They were on the tele when we went to see my nephew for the first time (R12, 2003: http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2003/031420030614.html).
- MelbourneKnown as the Dees, they’re a side which have been doing quite woefully these last few years. But there was a time in my lifetime that they were playing finals. Their last flag was 1964 (they beat Collingwood 8.16 to 8.12) and their last Grand Final appearance was 2000 (when they lost to the Bombers 11.9 to 19.21). Some sides just deserve better than they’re getting ….
- Gold CoastJoined the League last year and have so far only won 3 games to Round 11, 2012 (all of them last year). I like an underdog…
- Port AdelaideDon’t like them enough for them to be higher but like them more than their cross-town rivals. Their only problem is that David Koch is the #1 Ticket-holder (see also Gronk list).
- AdelaideMost of their fans are feral to the extreme, but many of my good friends are Crows supporters.
- HawthornA powerhouse in the 1980s, appearing in more Grand Finals than not. And looking toward becoming so again during the twenteens. Apart from that, I feel nothing...
- West Coast
Another powerhouse side back in the day, and doing surprisingly well this year. But, like Hawthorn, I got nothin'. - Geelong
Rising with Hawthorn as the team to beat in the Twenteens. But, like Hawthorn and West Coast ... meh - BrisbaneThey started the last decade as The Team to Beat, and have sunken to obscurity since. That arrogance has seen them tussle with 17 below for second-last spot on this ladder
- SydneySee GWS above
- CollingwoodThe team everyone loves to hate, for reasons too numerous to mention. Their president is Eddie Maguire (see also Gronk list). But some of my good friends are Pies supporters. So go figure. The hatred of Collingwood (and the mutual hatred by their supporters of all others) goes back to the days of the Gold Rush when Collingwood streets were running with the waste of the other suburbs. Just quietly, they still do (to an extent).
And that’s it. Numbers 4-17 are subject to change according
to my mood or to what one of their number says in the press, etc.
