a good quote from a Blues supporter at work " if you're not carlton Get F*#ked"

It's in the blood. Will never leave me. Will be there on my last day when I insist on the song being played.

Yep - I love Carlton...I'm not convinced they love me back - but as others have said...it's in the blood. Nothing I can do.

My love for Carlton has been greater....when I was a kid it was all I cared about...going to a game at Princes Park was what I lived for - winning was everything and something we did quite well; and even in the 80's I'd analyse the game, critique it in the car on the way home and provide a summary to Mum while she was cooking dinner that Saturday night.

I wrote letters to David Parkin and when on a holiday to Europe in 1982, aged 8 - sent him a postcard from France stating that 'while the Eiffel Tower was very impressive, it just didn't have the atmosphere of the Gardiner Stand on a Saturday afternoon'. Mr Parkin would often write back. The club valued it's supporters like never before. There wasn't much infighting among supporters - we left that to the club - safe in the knowledge that this club had survived on infighting and coups that would often bring about more sustained success for the club we loved.

Nowadays I go to training sessions from time to time...mostly in order to relive greater days, when the crowd was jammed in like sardines to see their heroes on display, when the men in front of us would quickly drink their cans of beer before half time in the seconds and give them to me to stand on so I could see. I still remember Frank, Tom and Leo...the old doormen (now departed) of the club who along with Dad would challenge me to 'just watch Bruce Doull - don't worry about where the ball is - just watch Doull'.

I can hear it still....especially when it comes out of my mouth as I say to a youngster 'watch Judd - don't worry where the ball is - just watch Judd'. Luckily Juddy, like the Flying Doormat, is easy to spot!

On Monday I turn 35. I don't feel 35 in any other aspect of my life other than when it comes to following Carlton. I wonder if anyone else my age or older feels the same? The supporter gives emotionally, financially and does so because they care - because they love the simple things about the club. For me - it's the jumper, the history, the memories...

These days, I mostly go to games by myself. While my father gave me the opportunity to love Carlton, he's no longer interested in going to the MCG or Docklands or listening to the people around him - or watching the game as it's played today. He'll watch it on TV...but will rather watch his old side Williamstown run around.

I'll always love the Blues. But I'm waiting for Premiership 17...just holding out for one more before I walk away. The game and the club have changed. Neither for the better and no one can convince me otherwise. Just let me savor one more Premiership...you'll still find me down at Princes Park, at the odd game, or bidding against me on eBay for Carlton memorabilia pre-dating 1982, but the love is slowly waning...