I hear ya big T.

I very rarely get sent games due to the technological incompetence of my friends and family back home, but I get up early every time Carlton plays and put the headphones on so not to wake my family and listen to the blues.

For the past few years I wondered why I bothered, but this year I think that we're a different team. I don't mind losing if the players give their all and learn from their mistakes (well actually I do, but at least I can forgive that).

I am nervous with anticipation now. I feel like this is a new era of the CFC but am scared to really believe it.

On Sunday morning I was listening to the game and hearing the SEN boys describe Gibb's handball that you mentioned brought a huge smile to my face. It was an involuntary reaction and I had to try to stop myself from getting carried away as the game was still to be won and we weren't over the line yet, but it was uncontrolable.

I think that I am still gunshy from the last time we won the NAB, and even winning in round 1 is no certainty that we'll be better off than what we were last season as we opened with a win over Melbourne.

If we get over Geelong this week, the smile will be bigger still and if we get over Port I reckon we might just make it past Pratt's expectations of a 10th place finish.

It is going to be baby steps and I can feel that I am getting confidence in the team again, because they are exuding confidence in themselves.

Go Blues!

PS: If anyone wants to burn games for me onto a DVD I will gladly provide the material, postage and a bit of cash for your effort.

I love when we win, and sadly I must go back to Japan on Thursday and I can't see us win any more games

I am at home in Melbourne and have been at the last two games... I was there for our games against the Dogs and the Power... After the Dogs game I felt so emotional... I hadn't seen us win in the flesh for 6 years, as I have been away... And I saw kids with their dads cheering... These kids have seen Carlton win 3 or 4 times in their life... And when I tell them that when I was their age we used to win everything, they don't really believe me...

I love when we win, and sadly I must go back to Japan on Thursday and I can't see us win any more games, but I am sure we will frighten a lot more teams this year and we will give it a fair shake for the rest of the season... I am proud of our boys, and I look forward to listening to more games from the O/S base...

Right. I'm putting in a call to immigration. You are not going ANYWHERE Mr T.

It is really funny reading this thread because I'm currently sitting in Kobe Japan and reading voraciously through all the gossip. I know how Taff and BigT feel.

Since I've been in Japan we haven't lost a game!!!!! I'll swap jobs with you BigT. I'll do all the high finance with the bank and you can play piano in the brothel. I'd happily not see another game if we didn't lose another game.

One question for you two - How the hell can you work with these Japanese keyboards with the space bar the size of a normal key!!!!!

P.S. I went to the Sumo tournament in Tokyo but it's not the same although it did bring back memories of Mark Maclure running into Mick Nolan!

Just found this thread. I enjoy listening on the net and 'chatting' on TC at the same time. It's almost like being at home listening on the radio with a few mates in the room. I've never met Taff, Dog, P12 or even that dizzy 2122 chick but it makes Oz seem a lot closer than it is. The world is a small place. I am heading back in mid August and hope to see a win. Have to convince my son not to have his birthday bash in Perth on a weekend we are playing in Melb.