OK...

it's Wednesday. I'm still steaming. I'm ready to land one on anyone who decides to pick me to say the wrong thing about Freo to. Whaddya know, Robert Walls is everywhere like a runny... shall we say, aftermath?

He asks "What does Freo stand for?" and as much as the old goat gives me the irrits like nothing else, it's a good enough question to blog on, maaan.

I've been on board from pretty much day 1, but footy was new to me then and I didn't always get it. I've learnt about the game as Freo have grown... so my perceptions of what Freo means are tainted by those early years of going to games as an event in itself, along with chasing 4 points. I remember days in the bowels of the 3 tier stand with lots of spare seats around and plenty of laughter from the wits in the crowd because you could hear them and peanuts abusing our players were few and far between and to be celebrated because of that. My experiences back then colour my perceptions now... although I desperately want wins and success, part of me longs for those funny days enjoying the footy with people you could exchange a wry comment with and had for a few years.

Still, time marches on and footy clubs go through change. What do we stand for?

• We're a 'peoples' club'. We have 'peoples' nights' at training. We have embarked on initiatives that hand something back to the community, like the Purple Haze game for the Starlight Foundation. This 'peoples' club' is a constant in Freo's history... it might not fit everyone's criteria but the intention is there.
• Len Hall. Freo's regular tribute to Len Hall and fallen diggers everywhere has never wavered. It has presented a stunning, often tear inducing show as a matter of course... despite the AwFL's intransigence in assisting us with fixturing. Every year, we've held a Len Hall game as our own tribute. It's quite an honourable tradition and I'm very proud of that.
• Fitzroy's last game. We had a bugler play the Last Post from the top of the stand for the club. We did more for them than the AwFL did. Anyone who was there remembers the solemness of the occasion and the way FFC observed it favourably.
•  

No doubt you could find other examples. My memory is struggling through a foggy desire to grab me a robertwalls and set about flaying a lamp post with it.

I ache for success with this club. It upsets me when arseclowns repeat that mantra about settling for mediocrity. Those same arseclowns wouldn't understand that intangible element that incorporates fans and supporters into the club aura as I believe we do. Much was made of Freo's fanbase when Cameron Schwabb came on board and plenty of effort was put into recognising that fanbase... and didn't we respond in style, raising a non existant roof after losing our first final. We didn't celebrate a loss, you idiots... we celebrated US... Freo, a team and a crowd finally arriving on the big stage.

We're a peoples' club, Robert. We do things because they're right. We set an example... well, sometimes. No-one's perfect, but this footy club manages to include it's people despite being born out of division and rivalry. Sure, we could be doing better but we haven't had to go through all our cupboards looking for skeletons, either.

Just to close it off and take myself somewhere quiet for a lie down, Robert... ask yourself about some of the major innovations to occur in the game over the last 13 years... the one's not forced by endless tinkering from HQ. things like 'chip and draw' play, or high rotations off the bench. Freo started that, Robert. We're innovative... and perhaps, Robert, that's the reason you can't get your head around Freo. We don't fit into tidy little boxes, mate... perhaps you should try thinking outside of them yourself.