Here's a great letter in the Age today from an old Carlton fan. My memories of Carlton /Cwood rivalling only stretch back to 1970 and the thrashing at Vic Park and the GF triumph, but this guy has a long memory - Never Forgive, Never Forget Blues.

I have quoted it as there is not a link to the specific letter

"Shame, shame
THE Age has lowered its standards in allowing space to apostate Carlton supporter Merv Collins (''A true Blue sees the light: the black-and-white's all right'', Comment, 16/9). No true Blue could ever find a good word to say about the unspeakables, and his history is sadly awry when he suggests the mutual enmity started with Barassi. It was alive and kicking in 1932 when I saw ''Nuts'' Coventry run half the length of Victoria Park to lay out Carlton centre half-back Gordon Mackie, who had done nothing more than give brother Sid something to go on with. It has been carefully nurtured by the likes of me ever since.

John McCredie, Hawthorn East"

awesome stuff.

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Got to love the stare Down by Setanta on Llyod

That is the correct and only attitude to assume.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

I read somewhere that Jock McHale used to purpoosely make Carlton players who worked in his factory bust their knackers at work on Saturdays until an hour or so before game time......

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

I read in the Blueseum that this mob of filth would have gone down the toilet in the early days, but we saved their bacon.

No good deed goes unpunished.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Maybe just to be aware of what the letter was in reply to! And the last sentence is no doubt how every non-Collingwood supporter hopes it ends!!

A sick relative brings out some Magpie magic, from president to player.

LISTEN up, Melbourne, it's time to admit that not all Collingwood footballers and supporters are bad people. No, really, stop laughing, I'm serious.

I realise it's hard to accept but, hallelujah, I have seen the light and I want to testify. I've supported the Blues since forever. I arrived at the club about the same time as Ron Barassi and Saint Alex of Jesaulenko and cheered as the club transformed from also-ran to powerhouse and, in the process, learnt to hate Collingwood.

But times change: Tony Abbott is loving and caring; Barry Hall rarely punches anybody now, and I have reason to believe that some black-and-white people are worthwhile human beings. Let me bring you, O disbeliever, a couple of personal experience stories.

I tried to bring my kids up properly, taught them to shun the wrong and do the right, in football as in life. My son, bless him, stayed true Blue, my daughter wavered and, woe is me, married a Collingwood man, Steph, and therein hangs the tale.

He, the Collingwood man, big, athletic and virile, is suddenly hospitalised by a massive brain bleed, which takes away his speech, mobility and the arm that threw a million high-grade basketball points. He's on the mend but it's slow and the physiotherapy is as intense as anything you'll see at the Lexus Centre.

His sister, visiting hospital, spots Pies president Eddie McGuire himself, in the forecourt.

''Hi, Ed,'' she shouts though she's never met him, ''Sorry to bother you, but the memberships I ordered for my nephews [my grandsons, their souls already sullied] haven't arrived.''

She explains that she tried ringing the club's office, but nothing happened.

''OK,'' Ed says, ''Give me the details.''

The following week, three memberships turn up and a letter promising grand final tickets should the Pies, god forbid, make it. It's just a small miracle, but enough for a frisson of respect to flash through my mind.

Then, last Saturday, the Collingwood chaplain rings me. He's an old mate doing, as I see it, the equivalent of missionary work in darkest Africa, a Father Theresa in the worst slums of Footyland.

''Don't say anything yet in case it doesn't work out,'' he says, ''but Harry O'Brien wants to meet Steph and thinks he can visit him tomorrow.''

I've heard a little about O'Brien, how the Pies running backman addresses sports conferences saying that, while he's a footballer, that doesn't define him and he wants to use his high profile for good. I know he spoke at a local UN seminar about world peace the other week, and that The Age's Greg Baum has expressed his admiration in the sports pages.

All good stuff, but this is his weekend off before the prelim final, which promises to be greater than the grand final itself. ''Probably won't make it,'' I think. ''Nice gesture, though.''

O ye of little faith! There he was on a Sunday afternoon, when he could have been anywhere, visiting a bloke he didn't know. The footballer, the chaplain, the brother-in-law and the patient sat around and chatted about many things: life in the suburbs and rehab at St Vincent's. Harry talked about application to training and fitness. ''Sometimes,'' he said, ''it feels like it's not coming together, like nothing's happening, but you're always planting seeds which will come to fruition later. In time, the flowers will grow. Just keep planting.''

Wise words from a 23-year-old jock who knows the world is wider than the MCG. Steph appreciates Harry's encouragement; Harry later tells the chaplain how inspired he is by Steph's resilience, determination and spirit.

So, in a time when the Akas, Newmans and Fevolas get more media oxygen than they deserve, I find a footballer who is proud to be, and deserves to be, a role model. And, dammit, he plays for Collingwood! It's enough to bring an old Blue to his Damascus road enlightenment: some Collingwood blokes are all right. There, I've said it!

I’m converted enough, too, to hope that that fine young man Harry O'Brien is "best on ground", and that the 'Pies do really well - before being beaten by a point with the last kick of the day! After all, a Blueboy’s reformation can only go so far!

I'll believe the fake moon landing or the 9/11 inside job theories before I believe that story

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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

excellent story F.D.

Go Sainters!!!!!

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

And BTW, although I don't know this Merv Collins, I do know his daughter Shelley and her husband Steph. And aside from being a filth supporter, he (Steph) is the loveliest guy. And with no warning, gets struck down with a brain bleed, loses speech and movement, on death's door for a few months, but a real fighter.

Harry O visited him w/o any fanfare. Others (like Merv) made the noise. I know I'm fighting a losing battle here, but I now know 2 completely disparate people who've had dealings with him, and they've both endorsed him.

I personally could hack a HB Line of O'Brien Bower Russell....

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Never argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!!

After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says W T F .........
Visit http://fromthemoshpit.com/

The author of the letter knows their stuff - the emnity between the Clubs has gone on for nigh on 1 century:

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-read_artic ... ticleId=83

From the Blueseum

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Check out www.blueseum.org for all of your Carlton information needs.