SparkyBlue and No.1Blue exited the hotel and stepped out onto the pavement. Head to Toe Navy Blue. I think even my jocks and socks *not that you would want to know* were Navy Blue as well...
It was Round 1 - Carlton V Fremantle, circa 2004.
The trip had been organised as a birthday present for my brother, who had turned 18 in December the previous year. Airline tickets were purchased, Reserved seats were organised online *oh how I love the splinternet* and hotel accommodation was booked.
Neither No.1Blue or I had flown in a plane before, and truth be told No.1 was moaning and complaining like you wouldn't believe "My ears won't pop!"... as for me I was way too amused by the fact that they sold alcohol on 3 hour flights. Cool!
Fast forward past the landing, walking through an eerie, ghost town-like deserted city at night, being mixed up with hotels and so-forth - brings us to where I began, leaving the hotel to walk to Fortress Subiaco.
And boy did we walk. I can't exactly remember where we stayed, except for mentioning 'Oh look, we're right near the WACA' - that'll be a short walk!'... before it being pointed out that Subiaco Oval and the WACA are not one and the same *i was naive ok?*... and so began the trek to Subi.
I've stared down hordes of Essendon* s***heads screaming in my face... I've wiped off spittle projected in my direction from mongaloid, toothless Pies fans - and I've even withstood barrages from cock-eyed, feral Crows supporters... but nothing felt as daunting and nerve-racking as this.
But there was No.1Blue and I, Blueboys in enemy territory - and if I was going to take the long walk *and sheeesh, to Subi - it was!*, I was going to do so proud.
The first heckle was heard. "The Blues? Go home mate!" In Melbourne that would cop a two-finger salute, but not here. I also mistook a Freo fan for giving me a cut-throat gesture - until I realised he was just pointing us out to a mate and laughing. I started to wonder if I was starting to get just a little too paranoid. Still heads up high, the two of us trekked to Subi - humming the club song and handpassing the footy to each other...
Arrived at the ground and for the sweet love of god was confronted by a myriad of purple, green and white. *which, for so long I have considered the girliest colours of the AFL
*
For Carlton supporters in WA - I don't know how you do it. Prior to then the most Freo supporters I had seen in one place was the three men and a dog that made up the Freo Cheersquads' Melbourne contingency.
I loved Subi Oval though, sans opposition supporters - and the fact that guys walked around with huge tubs *attached by a strap around their necks*, some full of pies, some full of grog. And you could get Cougar Bourbon at the ground... swan-ky!
As it turned out, the grog was required as it helped block out some of the noise of the opposition going nuts, gave a little Dutch Courage when it came to cheering on the Blues *and compensating against 40,000 odd Freo supporters* - and it helped dull the pain of a 47 point defeat.
*In case your were wondering*
Fremantle (15. 17. 107) def Carlton (8. 12. 60)
The walk back was a little painful, but only in our hearts. Traveling around 3,400 kms to a footy match - only to watch your team get spanked *and whats worse, have Clive Waterhouse starring!
* serves to put a damper on things. But one thing - no heckling Freo supporters *maybe a few smug looks* as I'm sure they knew the defeat itself was enough.
In fact, from that day I've always held a soft spot for Freo *but not C. Waterhouse!
* - with supporters that, to me, came across as a sight more placid than your Adelaide, Collingwood or Essendon* types.
One thing is for sure - No.1Blue and I, valiant in defeat, walked back to our hotel with our heads held up high - proud Blues supporters at the beginning of what were to be dark days ahead... vowing to return to Fortress Subiaco someday, to cheer on our Blueboys to victory.
**Note: Yes, in this posts I am referring to Perth as 'enemy territory' - however, I do appreciate that there are quite a few WA Blues supporters that frequent TC... and I salute you.
**
