I, like many (don't want to say most but it wouldn't surprise me), was "persuaded" by a family member to support Carlton. One of the first pictures of myself is me dressed up in a Carlton beanie, propped up between a Carlton cushion and a Carlton doll. I can't remember a time I didn't go for Carlton (spent some time in Geelong as a kid at a camp when the Cats were playing off for a GF (can't remember which one) and REFUSED to support then during the GF (despite some "gentle" persuasion by the camp leaders to do so) because it simply wasn't in my nature to do so.
I think this is a key reason why some clubs (Carlton/Collingwood/Essendon/Richmond) are more successful (supporter-base wise anyway) than others (Melbourne/North/Western Bulldogs/St. Kilda).
Supporters from the "big four" teams are often born into a family which supports said team, or has an influential family member which does. Kids from these families are brought up following them, and a passion to do so evolves to the point where anything else isn't an option. Some may call it brain-washing, but I call it instilling a sense of pride for supporting a particular team from a young age (once they are branded they never go back
)
I can't comment too much regarding the other teams, but I just don't see their supporter bases being as strong/established/passionate. Sure you may grow up with a family member going for say North (who my mother barracks for) or Hawthorn (who my father, who I have no real relationship with, barracks for) but the sense that supporting said team is the ONLY option doesn't seem as strong (thus why I, and my Brother, ended up barracking for Carlton due to my Uncle supporting them)
Some teams seem to get a large number of supporters due to a successful period (eg North during the 90's) but they can't/don't sustain said membership base during the tougher times (eg North of late) while others seem to have strong membership bases no matter what (Richmond), while others have both (Collingwood of late). It just seems to be a different mentality/culture between the supporter bases.
P.S at no stage during this rant have I aimed to/meant to upset/insult any supporter group. I have just stated my opinion on the differing mentalities between supporter groups.
I think this is a key reason why some clubs (Carlton/Collingwood/Essendon/Richmond) are more successful (supporter-base wise anyway) than others (Melbourne/North/Western Bulldogs/St. Kilda).
Supporters from the "big four" teams are often born into a family which supports said team, or has an influential family member which does. Kids from these families are brought up following them, and a passion to do so evolves to the point where anything else isn't an option. Some may call it brain-washing, but I call it instilling a sense of pride for supporting a particular team from a young age (once they are branded they never go back
)I can't comment too much regarding the other teams, but I just don't see their supporter bases being as strong/established/passionate. Sure you may grow up with a family member going for say North (who my mother barracks for) or Hawthorn (who my father, who I have no real relationship with, barracks for) but the sense that supporting said team is the ONLY option doesn't seem as strong (thus why I, and my Brother, ended up barracking for Carlton due to my Uncle supporting them)
Some teams seem to get a large number of supporters due to a successful period (eg North during the 90's) but they can't/don't sustain said membership base during the tougher times (eg North of late) while others seem to have strong membership bases no matter what (Richmond), while others have both (Collingwood of late). It just seems to be a different mentality/culture between the supporter bases.
P.S at no stage during this rant have I aimed to/meant to upset/insult any supporter group. I have just stated my opinion on the differing mentalities between supporter groups.
