Attending finals as a neutral supporter

[VelvetSledge]

So I just purchased two tickets (footy obsessed girlfriend, loving it) for the Collingwood v West Coast semi this weekend, and it came to my attention that, whilst I have attended neutral games in the past, I've never gone to a neutral final. So, my question to those who have:

Do you often find yourself swept up in the moment to the point where you're basically cheering the game, or cheering for one particular side?

Do you get caught up in the spell of finals footy to the point where you don't care who wins?

As for this match I'm expecting a massive amount of noise from the Pies faithful, but wouldn't be surprised if a lot of Weagles fans showed up as well. I'll be supporting West Coast, but at the same token, it'll be interesting to see how Collingwood backs up their defeat last week.

Describe your best neutral finals experience!

 

[Lach72]

Did most of the 95 and 98 final series.

Only downer was the 95 GF. Was sitting in the Geelong area and game was pretty much done and dusted half way 1st quarter.

Otherwise pick the side you least hate and stir the shit out of the natives

 

[Spoon_Man]

Do you and your g/f have all your teeth?

No - Collingwood
Yes - West Coast

 

[AC for PM]

I went to Geelong v Essendon Semi Final in 2004. It pissed with rain, but I remember Hird kicking a miracle goal from the pocket and Ted Richards getting KO'd right in front of us in the first 1/4. Could here the crack as Tom Harley (i think?) bumped him.

Loved every minute of it though. Being a neutral I had no nerves at the game - just happy to see a great contest (and Essendon lose).

 

[VelvetSledge]

Do you and your g/f have all your teeth?

No - Collingwood
Yes - West Coast

West Coast it is!

 

[Gongswan]

Best final? 96 prelim Essendon v Sydney, tough game, packed SCG, so much noise, so quiet when Bombers got 2 goals up, so much noise when Maxfield ran down the O'rielly stand wing and delivered. Unbeatable atmosphere

 

[spark12]

Went to Hawks v pies last year prelim and went to game last Friday to. Most likely go this week as well.

 

[dogbert]

Got an Essendon mate coming with us Collingwood members to the game this weekend. He says he tries to go to at least one final a year.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

when i attend a Crows game here i barrack for anyone playing against the Crows.

drove over for the Swans and Eagles GF back in 2005 and barracked pretty hard for the Swannies, was a great day. Then i got to abuse the WCE fans going into the Lexus Centre after the game

 

[Woefully Inept]

went last week to Geelong - Freo as a neutral...not quite the same atmosphere, but found myself horrified at Geelong's start, and gradually getting more excited as the cats brought the margin closer, as well as a little disappointed at the end.
But compared with Tiger games, was definitely more relaxed, as a result, didn't feel the need to ever abuse the umpires or become really one-eyed on decisions, and just had a good time

 

[jenny61_99]

Came down to Melbourne the last few years and been to preliminary finals without my team being in it. At first I thought, actually this is the best way to watch footy - no stress during the game worrying about who will win, or poor calls made, cheering the good bits, not caring about the bad and most importantly not worrying about a loss because it just doesn't matter. Then the third year I saw both prelims and I think, you know what, I really don't enjoy it that much. It just becomes a bit... pedestrian. Without that passion, without the nerves, the elation of a win, the devastation of a loss it's kind of a nothing experience. A one off? Yep, probably ok. You cheer the good footy, chuckle at the mistakes and it's all good. But doing it on a regular basis and you start to miss that ownership factor.

 

[krisholio14]

Been to quite a few as a neutral, and you do find sometimes you'll get caught up in the moment.

It's not the same as getting caught up in the moment when you're watching your own team of course

 

[MiiRa]

I usually find myself cheering for the teams that behind...Not necessarily because I want them to in but I just want the game to be close/er lol

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Been to plenty over time. From the 1992 Geelong V Footscray Prelim and the 1994 Hawthorn V North Qualifying Final (First ever final to be decided in extra time) to a bunch of others in between right up until the Geelong V Fremantle game last week.

I love my footy and there is nothing like finals footy. I generally end up going for the underdog or the team whoever is playing Carlton or Collingwood.

 

[Doss]

Went to the Geelong v Melbourne final in 2005. Was sitting in the pocket right in front of where Jeff White got kicked in the face by Steven King- was genuinely sickening and I'll never forget hearing the sound of boot crunching into flesh.

It was a pretty one sided game, but I was happy enough as I was going for the Cats.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

I was technically a neutral last Saturday night, but I was being as obnoxious as was humanly possible.

Especially deeply entrenched in the upper echelons of the MCC. Fantastic and unusual atmosphere, especially with the Freo chant rising from the Olympic stand.

Very much looking forward to this Saturday, and the prelim.

 

[Truetiger]

Yeah you get caught in the action. Last Saturday night geel vs freo pro geelong area was fun cheering on freo for the night

 

[Hawthorn United]

I went to Essendon vs Richmond qualifying final in 2001. Think it was the game Lloyd kicked his 100th.

Mate was an Essendon supporter so I think I was cheering Richmond to stir him up and also I didn't have it in me to cheer Essendon.

Also the game was well and truly dusted early on so was going for a comeback.

 

[Gydafud]

As an AFL member and a neutral for the rest of the season, I would not want to deny fans of other teams from attending their matches to see their team play. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it. Don't let me give up my seat in vain.

 

[manicmagpie]

Have only missed a handful of finals in Melbourne in the last 20 years, I can't get enough of finals footy.

I usually end up picking a side to cheer on (mostly based on long standing personal prejudice) but what I really want to see each time is a proper no holds barred, tough as nails final.

A stand out for mine is the 1994 Prelim between North and Geelong. Carey played one of the best games I've ever seen and it still wasn't enough, while Ablett had a quiet game but ended up winning it after the siren.

 

[Donakebab]

Best final? 96 prelim Essendon v Sydney, tough game, packed SCG, so much noise, so quiet when Bombers got 2 goals up, so much noise when Maxfield ran down the O'rielly stand wing and delivered. Unbeatable atmosphere

OP went woooosh.

 

[Super Hans]

Sat in the Hawthorn cheer squad on friday, loved it.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Been to a few finals as a neutral. Not hugely difference to going to any game as neutral imo... don’t really care about the result... usually find myself hoping one team will win, but not vocally. Once the siren goes you really don’t care.

A close game is always good and exciting, otherwise it’s a bit meh. You do watch a lot more objectively!

 

[Brad Goodman]

Been to quite a few, basically every final at the MCG since becoming an MCC member.

You do tend to get bored at the blowouts and get excited at the close ones, generally hoping for the underdog to get up.

Best one I've been to was the 1999 prelim. Only time I've ever gone for Carlton.

 

[MrKK]

I started attending Crows games as a neutral with my missus and generally find that I get more caught up in supporting them than she does! I'd never liked Port so it was surprisingly easy to adopt the Crows as a second team, although it's weird when I watch the Eagles play here and revert back to my original player allegiances. And I draw the line at never wearing Crows gear or getting a membership.

Went to my first final as a neutral last weekend and will be there again on Friday - given our history with Sydney and Freo it wasn't hard to cheer for the Crows. After one of their rare goals I got a high-five from a Crows supporter so I guess my behaviour wasn't exactly neutral...