I will admit to being a little/ deeply shocked by what has happened this season. I am trying to deal with it in my own way and I thought that I might try to share the various symptoms and my methods of dealing with it, in a sort chronological manner. It might help.
Pre -season - 3 wins, not convincing but enough to suggest a top 6 finish was not out of the question. Very happy to discuss football around the water cooler with the 'feathered fairy' supporters from up the road, watched Fox Footy and even read the local rag.
Round 1 - Just an aberration, Bullies are a good side, away game, we'll get them next time. Very quiet, still clinging to hope.
Rounds 2-8 - Can no longer watch Fox Footy or read the sports page, just in case I read something about AFL, can only watch the game on TV until half time, radio turned off in the car, can attend home games but having trouble firing up enough to abuse the umpires (I have actually spoken to the people around me during the course of the game who see similarly afflicted). At work, very quiet, banned all discussion of football within earshot, rarely attend the water cooler (and then when no one else is there) rarely look at Dockerland (well, rare in comparison to previous years), I don't even kick the cat anymore. Its sucked the life out of me.
I was going on a short holiday, skilfully negotiated around home games and always within range of a TV capable of broadcasting AFL games. Now going for 2-3 months, no TV, no radio, no football discussion.
I pray a lot "Bring on 2017, may it be better and may the feathered fairies up the road end up 8th (so they don't get a good draft pick) and then get kicked out in the first final, amen"
