My Team Will Hopefully Win
@RawBill1 (8531)
Gold Coast, Australia
September 24, 2010 2:59am CST
Tomorrow afternoon (25th of September 2010) will hopefully see my team win the AFL (Australian Football League) Grand Final. This is a huge sporting event in Australia and it is watched by millions of people all over the world. For all the Americans out there, this event is like the Super-bowl! 
My team, the Collingwood Magpies are playing against the St Kilda Saints. It is a rematch of the 1966 Grand Final which is the only premiership title that the Saints have ever won. The Magpies have won on 14 occasions, but not since 1990. That was a famous victory as it had been 32 years since they had won the title that time around, despite making the final many times. This will be the Magpies 40th appearance in the final over the 114 years of the league. A pretty good record, they just needed to win more of those.
The Magpies are also the most famous and most hated sporting club in Australia. This is due to the fact that they were so dominant in the early years of the league and the supporters were very vocal about their success. This is because the team comes from a poor part of Melbourne and they were beating the richer suburbs. They are now one of the richer clubs and the competition is no longer just a Melbourne suburban competition, but a national league with teams in most cities around the country.
So come on. Help me cheer on my team tomorrow.
GO PIES!!! 
My team, the Collingwood Magpies are playing against the St Kilda Saints. It is a rematch of the 1966 Grand Final which is the only premiership title that the Saints have ever won. The Magpies have won on 14 occasions, but not since 1990. That was a famous victory as it had been 32 years since they had won the title that time around, despite making the final many times. This will be the Magpies 40th appearance in the final over the 114 years of the league. A pretty good record, they just needed to win more of those.
The Magpies are also the most famous and most hated sporting club in Australia. This is due to the fact that they were so dominant in the early years of the league and the supporters were very vocal about their success. This is because the team comes from a poor part of Melbourne and they were beating the richer suburbs. They are now one of the richer clubs and the competition is no longer just a Melbourne suburban competition, but a national league with teams in most cities around the country.
So come on. Help me cheer on my team tomorrow.
GO PIES!!! 4 people like this
8 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Sep 10
What on earth is that you are holding in your new pic..I'm intrigued!
Anyway, the most interesting fact to come out of your discussion is that your team has the same nickname as Newcastle FC over here in England. Same black and white kit as well, I wonder if they're linked in some way?
Is it afternoon there yet? Hope the Magpies win!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_United_F.C.
Anyway, the most interesting fact to come out of your discussion is that your team has the same nickname as Newcastle FC over here in England. Same black and white kit as well, I wonder if they're linked in some way?
Is it afternoon there yet? Hope the Magpies win!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle_United_F.C.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Sep 10
Yep, less than 2 hours to go until the big game starts. I have been watching the pre game stuff on TV most of the morning. The crowds are building all over Melbourne and around the MCG. The atmosphere in that city today would be electric! 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Sep 10
Never in a million years would I have guessed that that was a coconut. Way to go! I like them too!
Wow, by the time I go to bed (it's now just after 1.30am) and woke up the game will be done and dusted.
Aren't Time Zones fascinating?
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Sep 10
Half time in the big game and the Magpies are 4 goals in front.
There is still a long way to go and they have lost the final in the past after being more than 8 goals in front at this stage, so not too excited just yet. 
There is still a long way to go and they have lost the final in the past after being more than 8 goals in front at this stage, so not too excited just yet. 
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
25 Sep 10
Go the Pies! I am not a football fan nor a Collingwood supporter but my husband is both and he is sitting here with Pies t shirt as we watch the Grand Final which is about to start in about thirty minutes. The atmosphere is electric even in our house! I hope the Magpies win and I may even make an effort to watch all these men wearing tight shorts...Oh...And the game of course!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
25 Sep 10
Well...It looks like it 'take two' I cannot believe that instead of celebrating and getting drunk and possibly planning a trip to Bali these poor guys have got to come back and do it all again next week! No!!! i feel sorry for the people who travelled over there...
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Sep 10
Ha Ha! I hope you are enjoying the tight shorts and the bulging muscles Paula! Half time and the Pies are 4 goals up. Not over yet, but it is heading in the right direction!
Just me and my son here, the girls did not want to be around for it,so they headed down to a friends house in Byron Bay for the day. We have Collingwood scarves and are playing footy in the lounge room and are cheering like idiots! 
Just me and my son here, the girls did not want to be around for it,so they headed down to a friends house in Byron Bay for the day. We have Collingwood scarves and are playing footy in the lounge room and are cheering like idiots! 1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
29 Sep 10
Hi Bill, sorry I'm late mate.
I used to follow the NSW Aussie Rules when I was a little tacker. Some of Dad's paper boys had grown up and joined the team and so we barracked for Easts. We went along to many games and my brother and I could be found behind the goal posts, retrieving the balls and throwing them back to the players. The field at Campsie had a canal behind the North goal posts so that was great fun as the balls often landed in the rarely full but definitely soggy canal. Some great memories there.
I don't really follow any football but barrack for St George in the NRL as I grew up in the area and also lived there as an adult. We are in the grand Final with the Roosters, this weekend I believe...maybe they've already played...like I said, I don't follow the games...lol. Go the mighty Dragons!
I didn't see your game but I know the outcome. It will be interesting to watch again this week end, eh? Hope your team does well but I think I will back the Saints. Go Saints!
I don't really follow any football but barrack for St George in the NRL as I grew up in the area and also lived there as an adult. We are in the grand Final with the Roosters, this weekend I believe...maybe they've already played...like I said, I don't follow the games...lol. Go the mighty Dragons!
I didn't see your game but I know the outcome. It will be interesting to watch again this week end, eh? Hope your team does well but I think I will back the Saints. Go Saints!@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
29 Sep 10
Hi MsTickle. I will forgive you for being late...and for cheering on the Saints!
I would love to see the Saints win a flag as I have always considered them to be my second favourite team, but just not this year. I was cheering loudly for them last year.
Yes, the Rugby League Grand Final is on this coming weekend as well. I do not really follow the NRL as I grew up on Aussie Rules and find Rugby frustrating to watch. I do like to see Melbourne or The Gold coast do well though, but I kind of lost interest in Melbourne after the debacle with them this year. The Gold Coast nearly made it all the way though which is pretty good for a fairly new team.
Where is St George in Sydney? I have often wondered where the team is from as the only town I have ever heard of called St George is in QLD.
I would love to see the Saints win a flag as I have always considered them to be my second favourite team, but just not this year. I was cheering loudly for them last year.
Yes, the Rugby League Grand Final is on this coming weekend as well. I do not really follow the NRL as I grew up on Aussie Rules and find Rugby frustrating to watch. I do like to see Melbourne or The Gold coast do well though, but I kind of lost interest in Melbourne after the debacle with them this year. The Gold Coast nearly made it all the way though which is pretty good for a fairly new team.
Where is St George in Sydney? I have often wondered where the team is from as the only town I have ever heard of called St George is in QLD.1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
30 Sep 10
I am not familiar with those suburbs, but I know the general area and I know where Botany Bay is.
@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
24 Sep 10
You know my feelings towards AFL as I am a NRL girl but one of my friends who is originally from Geelong is a Pies girl so I will be backing them even if I don't watch the grand final.
@moonchild1au (6237)
• Australia
25 Sep 10
I was working last night so I don't even know the scores of last nights game... we have had a few shawers this week but nothing major since Tuesday...it was sunny this morning but it is looking like it will rain real soon.
I never asked but maybe that's why my mate is up here & not in Geelong lol.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Sep 10
Wow, someone from Geelong who does not support Geelong! How did they survive in that town not following the Cats? Is that why they had to leave?
Thanks for supporting Collingwood today even if you don't watch the game. 
I was hoping the Titans would make it through to the NRL Grand Final last night. I don't follow the sport, but as a Gold Coaster these days it would have been great here to have that Grand Final atmosphere all over town.
Has been pouring with rain all week here this week, today is the same. How is it on the Sunny Coast?
Thanks for supporting Collingwood today even if you don't watch the game.
I was hoping the Titans would make it through to the NRL Grand Final last night. I don't follow the sport, but as a Gold Coaster these days it would have been great here to have that Grand Final atmosphere all over town.
Has been pouring with rain all week here this week, today is the same. How is it on the Sunny Coast? 
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Sep 10
hi rawbill I think any team called the Magpies just has to get
my applause and I know very little about football American or
Aussie either one but I have read a little about their successes
so I will join in 'Go Pies adding my American English to
your cheering too,Three cheers for the Magpies
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Sep 10
Thanks Hatley.
It is being televised in the USA and there are a lot of fans of the game over there. You even have a National Australian Rules Football league in the USA.
The Magpies are leading by 4 goals at the half way point in the game - so far so good!
Back to the TV for half time entertainment!
It is being televised in the USA and there are a lot of fans of the game over there. You even have a National Australian Rules Football league in the USA.
The Magpies are leading by 4 goals at the half way point in the game - so far so good!
Back to the TV for half time entertainment! 
@ruzzel016 (241)
• Philippines
25 Sep 10
I know that your team will win..,
I will cheer your team..,
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
25 Sep 10
Thanks for cheering.
Of course they will win. (hopefully)
They have been the top team this year and are firm favourites to win. This has been their best season since I have been following them.
Of course they will win. (hopefully)
They have been the top team this year and are firm favourites to win. This has been their best season since I have been following them. 
. HOPE YOUR TEAM WINS 'BIG TIME'.@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Sep 10
Thank you my friend. The game will be televised in the USA.
You can find out how to view it here if you are interested. http://www.afana.com/drupal5/tvsched
@Nickfyoung (323)
• Australia
24 Sep 10
Tomorrow is my birthday and I always get to watch the grand final on my birthday. So looking forward to seeing a Collingwood win.
My brother was a loyal supporter of St Kilda for many years and we would have had a great day tomorrow watching the game if he was still around. He didn't live long enough to see his team come good.
It will be a great game and I am looking forward to it. Go Pies.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Sep 10
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Nick. I knew you were a good bloke when we became friends here. Now I like you even more!
If any team was to beat the Pies, I would be happy for it to be St Kilda. They have always been my second team as my dad had me in a Saints jumper early in life. As soon as I was old enough to know better though, I jumped sides to a winning team and have been there ever since. I still have fond memories of going to watch the Saints play at Moorabin as a youngster though. I was hoping that they won last year. That was there best chance.
This year = no chance!
GO PIES!
If any team was to beat the Pies, I would be happy for it to be St Kilda. They have always been my second team as my dad had me in a Saints jumper early in life. As soon as I was old enough to know better though, I jumped sides to a winning team and have been there ever since. I still have fond memories of going to watch the Saints play at Moorabin as a youngster though. I was hoping that they won last year. That was there best chance.
This year = no chance!
GO PIES! 