My 6yo son has taken an intense interest in AFL this year. Wears his number 5 Carlton Guernsey whenever possible, reads the paper with me, attends a few games and just soaks up whatever he can about Carlton and AFL in general.

He watched our final with me and was very disappointed when we lost. Unfortunately after that he decided to ‘adopt’ the Filth for the remainder of the finals, and took an intense liking in Dane Swan. Needless to say I was thrilled when Juddy ‘took Charlie home’, and for a week or two it seemed to sway him right back to the Navy Blue.

His passion while barracking for the Filth during the GF replay was far too over the top for my liking, and yesterday he muttered the unthinkable “Dad, I’m going to barrack for the Magpies next year”. A stern lecture from me about loyalty and not just backing winners, and a reminder that he a) won’t have a footy jumper to wear and b) won’t get to attend any of his teams games, seemed to jolt him back to reality. Fortunately he took little interest in today’s Hun and the 16 page filth liftout quickly found its way into the bin.

Cricket season can’t come quickly enough.

So what to do? Let him swap? Not an option IMO. I don’t think he’s old enough to fend for himself out on the streets at night. Try to brainwash him more? Perhaps a visit to the Carlton shop is in order. What a pity we don’t have a great Hall of Fame to visit like the Bummers (or do we?).

Help me please, it’s a defining moment of his young life.

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"I had to eat"

Toughen up.

Do what a mate of mine did to his 6 YO son, when he wanted to follow the scum a few years back.

Take him to his bedroom and ask him to pack his bags.

When he asks why, tell him that no one who lives in this house barracks for anyone other than Carlton, and he needs to move out.

Worked a treat, son now a Carlton tragic.

I had the kids cut up anything Collingwood with scissors over the weekend. They shredded the papers gloriously. Heads off. Cathartic that.
They'll never barrack for anyone else while they live under my roof.

HTFU

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

Why not tell him what that hero Dane Swan has done off the field? That should straighten him out.

(mentioning his mates Didak and Shaw couldn't hurt either)

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

You didn't mention whether you take him to the games. If you can only take him to a couple of games a year, pick them carefully so he always comes away a winner.
NEVER watch a game of footy on TV that doesn't have Carlton in it and watch the ones we might lose at the pub without him.
Did he get a birthday card from Judd or other player (which junior members used to get once)?
Has he ever been to PP and seen the trophy cabinet?

Have you told him he will have to have his front teeth removed if he continues along the path of darkness? Make an appointment at the Carlton club dentist and get him to play along until the last moment or if necessary, remove one front tooth and pay for an implant later if he returns to the fold.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Lie, cheat and deprive until we are beck on top. Won't take long and he will thank you for it. Especially after you put his tooth back.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

Get one of your mates to ring your home number and pretend they are Chris Judd.
You should answer the phone when they ring (pre arranged time) and summons your son to the phone and tell him someone wants to speak to him. Your mate should be able to look after the rest from that point on.
It works because I did it to one of my kids a couple of years ago who wanted to defect to Geelong. Till this day they don't know the truth and they will never know.

i can relate to this..... i took my 3 year old daughter to a Carlton v Collingwood match at the G one fine sunny day and all was fine during the match - my daughter even managed to fit a bit of an afternoon nap in during the third quarter.....

Walking out of the ground post match - i cant recall who won to be honest but she muttered the worst words a father could ever hear (other than...."dad i'm sixteen and pregnant!")... Daddy, "I want a flag with a birdy on it"...aaarrrgghh....

I came from a family whose parents barracked for Fitzroy and Collingwood respectively and it was only then i realised how much i must have disappointed my Collingwood-mad mother when i told her (probably around the time of the 1968 or 70 grandfinals) that i wanted to support Carlton.....

Needless to say that my daughter (now 18) is a proud Blues supporter today..

Amazing what a ride home in the boot of a car going over speed humps can achieve

When I was five the bigger brother walked up to me and said you barrack for Carlton and even if you think of following anyone else - I will belt the crap out of you


it worked I have been a fanatic ever since

I dont think he has ever been to a game and still wonders where Jezza is

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Adopt out and start again

My son told me he was a Dogs fan 2 years back. Because he liked dogs.

It's a tough situation.

I also told him he'd never go to the footy again, with me anyway. His siblings and I would enjoy going together and he wouldn't be there. My wife also told him that seperately. It didn't really work initially.
I then told him that would really upset me. He was a Carlton member from birth, we are a Carlton family etc etc.
That didnt convert him back.
I then told him he could have 2 teams and the Dogs could be his 2nd team and left it alone.
Bought him footy cards, Carlton posters etc and eventually he let go of the fascination with the Dogs.

I think you start with telling him that Carlton and Collingwood are enemies and it would be hard for you to have a Collingwood son. Then let him have 2 teams as long as Carlton is first and start doing more Carlton things, footy cards, go to training, sticker packs. I think you have to give permission to like Collingwood and then never mention it again and try to win him over

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T E A M

Whatever happened to a good old fashioned caning.

teach 'em once; teach 'em well.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

Swap him for a new model.

Pretty simple really.

Ask him if he likes eating!

Did the exact same thing to my youngest when his aunty almost converted him to the doggies...worked a treat alright, he now lives and breathes the Blues!!!

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Wherever you go, there you are.

4 words: "Santa doesn't like traitors"

Show a picture of Joffa, and tell him thats your future right there.

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You want something kid? Sing me the Carlton theme song

Worked a treat this morning, after my wife was trying to get the kids to say Go Pies all week.

Just tell him how much it would mean to you if he supported Carlton.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Take him to training. Easy opportunity for a chat & a photo with a player.

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#DonTheStash

Yes, the signed jumper is a guarenteed bond for life.

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I hope Essendon* folds.