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| The day after winning the 2010 Grand Final Post-match celebrations at Gosch's Paddock |
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| Signed Premiership Guernsey Best day of my life - 2010 |
There have only been a few things in my life that have meant so much to me, that are the blood that runs through my veins, but the Collingwood Football Club (or"the
Collywobbles" as so many of my friends and foes say) became a part of me from a very, very young age. In all honesty, it has probably been the healthiest relationship I have ever been in. Sure, we have had our fair share of ups and downs in the last 28 years, but I have stuck to my gut instinct, my heart and my head (and the excessive pressure from my father) and together, we have prevailed. Just call me "Miss Magpie".
I can still recall the first game I have a memory of. I was about three years old, and it was the Mighty Pies versus the Saint Kilda Saints at one of my favourite places on Earth - the MCG. My dad, my uncle (sadly, a Saints supporter) and myself were there, and I can even remember the most random of details such as my uncle's red parka and his yellow backpack with a big rainbow on it. I remember sitting in his lap, cheering for the Pies at my dad's cues. I had no idea at the time what I was looking at of course, but that day obviously ignited some sort of spark inside me that would change me forever.
I have such wonderful fond memories of the games (and some I have repressed for life) and of times spent with my dad. Growing up, dad had always been required to travel extensively for work, but our special outings to the games always made up for lost time. We had the same routine every game. Driving in dad's car, pre-game talkback going on and dad offering his own commentary every so often to those on air. I'd plug my discman into my ears - yes, a discman, not an iPod.. no such thing those days! - for the ride and for the long trek to the 'G (dad liked to park as far away as he possibly could). In those days, we wouldn't sit too close to the action, usually surrounded by our fellow MCC members who weren't all that animated during play. But as I got older, I discovered I liked to sit closer to the action, so around the age of 13 dad and I started parting ways outside gate two and would reunite after the game.
I can still recall the first game I have a memory of. I was about three years old, and it was the Mighty Pies versus the Saint Kilda Saints at one of my favourite places on Earth - the MCG. My dad, my uncle (sadly, a Saints supporter) and myself were there, and I can even remember the most random of details such as my uncle's red parka and his yellow backpack with a big rainbow on it. I remember sitting in his lap, cheering for the Pies at my dad's cues. I had no idea at the time what I was looking at of course, but that day obviously ignited some sort of spark inside me that would change me forever.
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| Luke Ball & I |
I have such wonderful fond memories of the games (and some I have repressed for life) and of times spent with my dad. Growing up, dad had always been required to travel extensively for work, but our special outings to the games always made up for lost time. We had the same routine every game. Driving in dad's car, pre-game talkback going on and dad offering his own commentary every so often to those on air. I'd plug my discman into my ears - yes, a discman, not an iPod.. no such thing those days! - for the ride and for the long trek to the 'G (dad liked to park as far away as he possibly could). In those days, we wouldn't sit too close to the action, usually surrounded by our fellow MCC members who weren't all that animated during play. But as I got older, I discovered I liked to sit closer to the action, so around the age of 13 dad and I started parting ways outside gate two and would reunite after the game.
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| Ben Johnson & I My favourite player for 12 years |
At half time I would often get a phone call from him, checking up on me and ensuring I hadn't jumped the fence and run onto the field. The call always began the same way "I see you" he would say, and sure enough I'd turn around and there he would be, up on level 2, waving at me as if we hadn't seen each other in years.
We'd have a quick review of the match and finish with our stock standard sign-off of "Go Pies!". Sometimes, if the Pies were copping a flogging, he would make me leave the game early. I hated that. It made me feel as if I was betraying my boys by surrendering my support. Dad obviously couldn't cope as well with losses as I could at that stage.
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| Angelica & I - Perth 2012 I love travelling for all interstate games |
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| Preliminary final victory over Geelong ESPN footage 2010 |
When I reached 14 years old, I was allowed to bring friends to the games. Hardly any of the girls I was friends with at the time had any interest in footy, but on the odd occasion I could convince one to come along. Now that I think about it, I really needed new friends back then. I ended up meeting a lot of people at the games who I still sit with to this day, so I gave up bringing people who didn't care and began meeting my new "crew" every week in our standard front row centre spot. This spot is now famous because of us.
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| Caught on camera in the audience at The Footy Show |
One game set it off and now we are all practically famous. I'm known as the "crazy Collingwood chick" for always getting my face on TV during the games. People will constantly text or call with their commentary as to how many times I've been on their screens. Some of my friends even play drinking games on Anzac Day to the sight of this Miss Magpie's face. By the time I was 22, I started working in the Sports industry, allowing me to meet a lot of players, media and the corporate AFL crowd.
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| Anthony Rocca & I On field at Etihad 2008 |
I've since been lucky enough to have formed some great relationships with many amazing players and media icons, who have at one point or another told me "you get more air time than we do!". An absolute crock of shit in my eyes, of course, however I will never forget the day Anthony Rocca pulled me aside in the change rooms at the 'G and said "every time I turn on my bloody TV, Krystal, there you are!". Being such a huge Footy fan and an even bigger Pies fan (I used to crush on Saverio Rocca when I was about 8), that was a huge moment for me. I actually felt famous.
Embarrassed, but famous. A pretty cool feeling for a 22-year-old nobody. People I have never even met started approaching me at pubs or sending me Facebook messages, all with the same "you go for Collingwood, don't you?" tagline. It got a little creepy at one stage!
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| Brodie Grundy & I Eminem Concert 2014 |
It was then that I realised that no matter how stupid I may look screaming my lungs out with a possible
awkward orgasm-type face on National TV, that this place, this sport, this passion for the Club was the one place where I felt 100% comfortable being myself. It is the one place I can go and show every ounce of emotion and not care who thinks what of me. I can love what I love, without hesitation. The more games I started attending, the more my face became known. People overseas would e-mail my dad and say "just seen your daughter on the TV". Dad loved telling me stories of how many of his colleagues would see me on television and get in contact with him.
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| Jamie Elliot & I Post-match 2013 |
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| Alan Didak's last game |
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| Paul Licuria & I - 2010 Legends Game Afterparty |
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| Dane Swan Pre-extreme tattoo coverage |
My favourite incident he recalled to me happened at a game in 2011. He was in his usual spot on level two. Me - stock standard position on ground level. I was chatting to my friend who happened to be a boundary reporter for the radio. Dad happened to be listening to the same station when Gary Lyon and James Brayshaw were said to remark that their boundary reporter had missed his live cross cue, as he was distracted by a woman in a pink skirt. I was wearing a pink skirt. Dad called me as the story unfolded, and as I watched my friend fumble for words to say to his live audience, I could not contain my laughter. My friend later told me all the boys in the commentary box had suggested I become the new reporter instead. I don't know who went more red, me or him. It was such a hilarious and enlightening moment for me, considering I had very little self-esteem at the time.
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| Mum & I Post-Grand Final win 2010 In the arena with Lionel Richie & the team |
Nowadays, through my contacts and networking, I can access most areas at the MCG and Etihad. I consider myself extremely lucky that my passion met my fantasies and I can overindulge like that in the Football world on a weekly basis. It's what I imagine heaven will be like - that's how much I love this great game. At first I think I only liked it just for the hot boys, I mean, what young girl wouldn't? But as I got older, formed relationships and even dated some of the boys, I realised that it was not about them at all. It was so much more than that.
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| Post-Grand Final win 2010 outside the 'G Far too much excitement & alcohol |
I love every aspect of the game itself - the skill, the thrill and the overwhelming excitement that comes with every kick of the ball. In 2013, I was fortunate enough to tick off a long-time bucket list item and discover just how exhilarating on-field atmosphere and what playing in front of a crowd at the 'G feels like. I was selected to play in the Cadbury 9's at half time between Collingwood and Adelaide. I kicked one goal. It was the best 30 minutes of my Football life.
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| Post match celebrations - June 15th, 2013 Collingwood vs. Adelaide Cadbury 9s player |
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| Buckley |
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| Bobby-Rose |
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| Jack 8-6-1998 - 17-5-2011 |
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| My niece, Sienna Grand Final Day 2010 |
This is what I live for. Those moments when your heart feels as if it's going to beat right out of your chest as someone lines up for goal, the times when you feel so broken because your team has crumbled at the feet of another, the joy that swallows every part of you as you celebrate a gutsy win... that moment when you realise you have just spent 3 and a half hours watching a pack of men go to war and nothing in the world could make you happier. I even named my dogs after players - Bobby-Rose & Buckley... Or that moment you have just walked out of the tattoo parlour freshly inked with your team's name, to be forever worn with pride. Sorry dad, I didn't want you to find out this way! The positive memories of attending the games as a child with my dad and the thought that one day I can share the same joy with children of my own.
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| The infamous tattoo Post-game celebration, Sydney 2011 |
Sure, time may pass, memories may fade, but the passion I have for the Magpies grows stronger every year. I know that no matter what happens in my life, the Club will always be there... ain't nobody can take that away from me.
And that's as Black & White as it's gonna get for me.
I would like to thank my dad, Chris, for introducing me to the Collingwood Football Club - you only have yourself to blame! And for always taking me to the games as a kid. I am forever indebted to you for this. xxx
Flog on,
Lady K -x0x-
