So why are you a Cats fan?

[volcboy]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Both sides of the family are Geelong supporters going back 2-3 generations.

My dad played for the Geelong reserves as a ruckman in the early 60's (didn't get a game in the seniors - we had a handy ruckman at the time).

I'm related to a board member at the club.

No choice in who I supported - nor would I want one

Already getting heart palpitations about the game on Saturday......

 

[Ninty]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Home town is Newlyn Cats, so I assume that's somehow got something to do with it. Everyone at my primary school was either Geelong or Essendon... I've been Geelong for as long as I can remember. My sisters don't follow football nor does my mother much... My dad and his brother are Carlton supporters... Thank god (Ablett? - Probably helped me with deciding) I picked the Cats though.

 

[HulkHawkins]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Mines easy, many years ago i didn't really barrack for anyone as i played local footy and sort of concentrated on that.

Unfortunately i did my knee and never played again. So instead of watching my teammates running around playing footy i decided to go and stand on the hill with a can of VB in my hand at Kardinia Park with my other non playing footy mates. We'd drink and we'd sing and we'd drink some more, but most of all had fun and lots of it. It became a ritual to go to the footy every week. Meet at the pub for lunch and a couple of heart starters and off we go. Wouldn't i love those days back

These days we go to the footy as a family and yes i have brainwashed my kids but they love me for it

A few people have already said that it helped having one G.Ablett snr in the team, how true and how spoilt were we.

Now we have the joy of watching another Ablett mesmerizing us

 

[chicachow]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

My Dad played country football in North eastern Vic as a teenager and when it came time for him to move to the big smoke to get a job he and his mates decided to go for Geelong as it was the only 'country club' in the league. He married a Collingwood supporter who he converted to a cats fan and proceeded to increase the supporter base by having 5 little cats fans who went on to produce 15 (and still rising) grand cat fans. Now the trend continues with the 1st great grand cat fan's birth last year. They get plenty of money out of us. We all live in the city or east of it but make the trek to Geelong for matches and love it.
Go Cats 2009.

 

[rizzo]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Being an American who moved to Melbourne in April '07, I had no clue what AFL was. Never heard of the game. My father inlaw thought I would like it if I gave it a chance (he loves gridiron almost as much as footy so we had that in common too). So while sitting at home unable to work (my visa at the time didn't allow me to work) and everyone else off at work or at uni I turned on the TV to figure out what this footy game was all about. First game happened to be Cats vs. someone. Next week by chance it was again a Cats replay. Third, fourth, fifth weeks again for some reason I always found the Cats vs. someone being replayed through the week.
They quickly became the first team I could actually identify a player and eventually players on so I began making sure whatever game I watched it was a geelong game at least then I didn't feel so adrift and foreign.
Much to the chagrin of my wife and inlaws (Carlton and St. Kilda supporters) I became a Cats fan (and have since converted my wife who only begrudgingly follows footy).
Initially my wife gave me an ultimatium on which teams I was allowed to barrack for and which I was not (no interstate teams, no collingwood or essendon) and somehow I managed to pick the one team she forgot to put on either list.
After the 07 Grand Final win I became a member and plan to stay one forever. I may seem like I jumped on the bandwagon and while that is debateable, I won't be jumping off ... ever.

Unreal story.

My Dad & Bros all barracked for the swans while my mum & sister both barracked for Fitzroy. My extended family (Grandparents, uncles etc) all barracked for either the Swans or Collingwood.

When I was a very young tacker there were some close friends of the Family who I adored. They barracked for the Cats, and so I followed suit. I even have a picture of me in kindergarden wearing a Cats tshirt. So I look back on that as an old fart now and think it was always meant to be.

Most people barrack for their teams because of their parents infuence. But I went completely against the grain of my family as a toddler and chose a different team.

Sounds the same as my girlfriend. Born into a pack of filth (pies) supporters. Luckily her favorite cousin was a cats man and she followed what he did. Since then she has converted her nan, mum and aunty to the cats. The rest can't be saved.

 

[gabstar]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Being an American who moved to Melbourne in April '07, I had no clue what AFL was. Never heard of the game. My father inlaw thought I would like it if I gave it a chance (he loves gridiron almost as much as footy so we had that in common too). So while sitting at home unable to work (my visa at the time didn't allow me to work) and everyone else off at work or at uni I turned on the TV to figure out what this footy game was all about. First game happened to be Cats vs. someone. Next week by chance it was again a Cats replay. Third, fourth, fifth weeks again for some reason I always found the Cats vs. someone being replayed through the week.
They quickly became the first team I could actually identify a player and eventually players on so I began making sure whatever game I watched it was a geelong game at least then I didn't feel so adrift and foreign.
Much to the chagrin of my wife and inlaws (Carlton and St. Kilda supporters) I became a Cats fan (and have since converted my wife who only begrudgingly follows footy).
Initially my wife gave me an ultimatium on which teams I was allowed to barrack for and which I was not (no interstate teams, no collingwood or essendon) and somehow I managed to pick the one team she forgot to put on either list.
After the 07 Grand Final win I became a member and plan to stay one forever. I may seem like I jumped on the bandwagon and while that is debateable, I won't be jumping off ... ever.

Well my brother turned me into a Geelong supporter in 1995, have not looked back since that day GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rizzo]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

I should also add I have been a terrible pick of a favorite player. After gazza left I moved onto Jason Mooney, Mitch White, Scott Bamford and David Loats Everyone was nervous when I jumped on the Otto bandwagon such was my love for duds

Funny story of when the club used to have those selection night dinners. Cameron and Jason Mooney were the two players at the club that night and Jason was my favorite player at the time. Went to get a photo and Cam jumped in with Jason, only to have my mum tell him to get out Oh how I wish I had that time again.

 

[Strangled Cat]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Born a breed in G-town, lived there for 25 years before moving over to Adelaide almost 5 years ago. Needless to say, being unable to go to games every week means that the ones in Adelaide that I go and see. I appreciate more. This I think, has translated into me being the extreme passionate Cat fan that I am today. I never thought mvoing from Geelong would have this affect. I guess the old addage sticks true: "You can take the boy out of somewhere, but you can't take the somewhere out of the boy". GO GEELONG!

 

[G.F.C]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

My grandfather played at Geelong, we owned a pub very close to KP and lived in Newtown, about 10mins walk from KP.

I was brought up in a Cats household, and now i'm doing the same with my kids.

 

[UnderatedEnright]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

My Grandad was born in Scotland and when he came over to Australia he went to his first ever footy match between Geelong and Collingwood. Since he had no team to barrack for he said who ever wins the match will be the team i support. Lucky for me Geelong won that match. Now my dad and the rest of the family go for Geelong! I could of been a Collingwood supporter....

 

[KardiniaPark]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

My great uncle Bruce Morrison played in the 51-52 premiership sides. The whole side of dad's family is geelong and a lot of them still live there. This side of the family lives and breathes the cats and i couldnt be prouder to be a part of it. My aunty hazel died well into her 80's, but god bless her she held on for the cats flag and died a few weeks after the grand final in 2007.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

I began supporting the Cats in '91. My dad supports them. Whilst I was not initially that into them, Gazza Snr. got me across the line.

I think after the '92 loss, I was not that upset. I was sure we would win the thing next year. After '94 I was devastated, after '95 I was numb. But my support of the club has grown each year.

 

[sauron256]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Haha I was born and bred in Tassie but when the 1992 grand final came about I had to pick a team to support (I didn't follow AFL at the time). I really like the West Coast outfits but was informed in no uncertain terms by my Victorian grandma that I was expected to support a Victorian team. Therefore I went for Geelong, who ended up losing the game (to my disappointment), but I've been a fan ever since!

 

[Byron2008]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

My Grandfather played for them in the 30s, Laurie Slack. Was actually looking at his old premiership medallion from the '37 premiership when we beat the pies. Good stuff.

Been pumped into us from birth. Can't wait for weekend, GO CATS!

 

[BarryG]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Son of two Victorian parents living interstate, one a Geelong fan, one a StKilda fan. Grew up wearing both kits as a young kid (Ablett one day, Plugga the next) But I had to pick one. It was very tough as a 6 year old having to break the news to mum that I was a Cats fan. I still remember the day. Go Cats!!!

 

[Eastwood]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

I love this topic. Some great stories. I wrote about the same issue and how I am doing my best too brainwash my children blue and white as well -

http://reservoirdad.blogspot.com/

Go Cats.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Jesus..didn't expect this thread to be this popular! Some great stories and it's good to know that I'm not the only one in the West that stuck with the cats when the Eagles (and later Dockers) came along. The old man (a bombers fan) and I were the only ones who didn't make the switch in our family are still seen as Judas for it for meh. At eagles games in the west we still get the 'what about 92 and 94' defence which is like being hit with a small peice of lettuce..some of the worst fans there are. The times I'm lucky enough to get over to KP every winter I never feel like I'm an outsider.

Go cats.

 

[dymmot]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

First game I got dragged to was the 1994 Grand Final. Hated West Coast for some reason and loved Gary Ablett Senior. Thus I went for Geelong.

 

[Catters4me!]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Born, bred, live and love Geelong!!

Since my dad took me to my first game in '74 against the Doggies at KP Barwon River End there was never any doubt that I would adore the blue and white hoops forever.

Who could forget:
Ray Card smashing Keith Grieg @ KP
The fast food outlet catching on fire on the wing @ KP
Watching 'Pasties' Peake flying into Geelong.(The only time I ever wagged school)
Watching the 'great man' play and bring joy to all that witnessed his skills and footballing attributes....and marvel at his son who continues the tradition...
Jacko making us laugh...
Peter Johnson's kicking...
Scratcha Neal's dash, Mark Bos' exquisite skills,Buddha's class, Kelvin Matthew's calf's...!!!!
Stephen Hooper...!!
The Prez...Bruce Lindner!!
John Devine coaching Geelong!!!
The hurt of 89.92.94.95 and 08...
The ecstacy of 07.....
Watching Collingwood supporters eat their own last week....Quality!!!

Friendships made, traditions passed on to the next generation, players coaches and supporters coming and going.

What a club....what a town.... WE ARE GEELONG.

 

[Topper]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

No big story for me, just simply.......

YYYAAABBBLLLEEETTT!!!!!!!

As a kid when first getting into footy, saw him play and thought...F#%K YEAH that's my team.

 

[footymissionary]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

GREAT THREAD!!
GREAT STORIES!!!!

I was a CATS supporter since I was 13 and now i'm 25 working in an office surrounded by buck loads of happy and die hard cats fansssss!!!!!!!!!!!

13 years ago i arrived in melbourne from vietnam and knew nothing about AFL.
my family friend told me in AUS we call football - AFL and the round ball game as soccer.
he told me if you love your sport, you must pick in team to follow.
he is a die hard hawks and tried to get me to jump on board but i did not have any interest with the hawks because i hated its colour!

To his credit, i did start to watch footy on tv and it was the blue and white hoop that caught my eyes and i've never look back since!

Looking back now, GFC has come a long way both on and off the field!!!!!

07 GF was the happiest day of my life
08 GF was painful - very flipping painful! but that's sport... i'm learning to accept the team's victory as wel as the shock defeat a little less than 1yr ago.

I remember the next day after 08GF, I said to myself; the best team won on the day and and i have three wishes!
1) finish top four without significant injuries in 09
2) win the prelim final
3) head into GF with a full strength team!!
now we are HERE; full strength and with MOMENTUMS! i'm feeling very very good about this SAT!!!!!!!!!!!
GO CATS!! COME ON BOYS!!! SHOW IT TO THE WORLD THAT " WE ARE GEELONG!!!! "
4) GF - as i've learned from last year, there is no guarantee and i'm sure the boys know it too! SO ALL I CAN DO IS TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO THE BOYS and I will be cheering for very single tackles, every scores, every efforts!!!!!

 

[Fuzzyash]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

I think it happened in the womb. Go Cats were probably my first words.

 

[Cohzee]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

I was born.

 

[thejester]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

4th generation. Interviewed my Grandad for Uni and he told me stories about going down to Corio Oval with his old man (pretty sure it doesn't extend beyond then as he was born in England) to watch the Cats during the '30s. I wouldn't change loyalties anyway, but how could you even think to with heritage like that?

 

[strategy]

Re: So why are you actually a cats fan?

Just for Saturday ...i cant stand saints

they are so favoured by the umps and mrp

u better bl**dy WIN


good luck