Prejudice quashed

Yesterday at the ’G, AussieRulesBlog sat down next to a guy wearing a Barcodes scarf.

 

As the game began and the other Barcodes fans around us began their routine abuse of any free kick against the Barcodes, any perceived free kick for the Barcodes that wasn’t paid and any other perceived injustice against the Barcodes, the chap beside us began his own quietly-spoken response to each new round of invective.

 

“Idiots! That’s not a free kick!” “Learn the rules! That’s not holding the ball!” and so on.

 

At quarter time. we turned to him and noted that he was destroying many of our fondest prejudices. Behind his wraparound Raybans he had two working eyes. Quite remarkable! While obviously passionate about his team, not only did he perceive the faults of his own tribe, but he willingly praised the best efforts of the Bombers — and there were plenty in that first half.

 

At the end of the game, after the expected — but, pleasingly, delayed — opening of the Barcodes’ floodgates, we thanked him for the chat and shook his hand, wishing him good luck for the finals.

 

The overwhelming majority of fans watching a game can’t see anything other than through the lens of their team’s success. It’s such a surprise to come up against a discriminating, intelligent and knowledgeable fan.

 

Thank you, sir, wherever you are, for one of the most enjoyable afternoons of AFL we have experienced in a very long time.