The Sweetest Victory

Noticing his Kangaroo cap, I said, "Hello Ken, I didn't know you were a North Melbourne man."

"Yes I am, but I’m Noel." I’d mistaken him for another of similar age and appearance. I'd been nodding to both these men for some time thinking they were one and the same.

I said he must be pulling his hair out at yet another narrow loss. North had gone down to Gold Coast after jumping them early and leading by five goals at quarter time. Noel agreed it was demoralizing, a mystery to him.

I asked how long he'd been a North supporter and he said he joined North in 1958 when he was about 16 years old. North made a public statement that if they won the premiership that year they'd buy all their members a box of chocolates. That won Noel's support. They didn’t win a flag till 1975.

I sympathized with him for the season's disappointments explaining that I was a Melbourne Demons supporter, say no more, but I had a soft spot for North since the 1970's when Ron Barassi signed to coach, and because recent 200 gamer Michael Firrito is from Gembrook, and our dog 'Snow' came from the Firrito's around when Michael was drafted.

Next day a young boy was bouncing a footy on his way to school. He said his team was the 'Hawks'. Footy crosses barriers of, class, religion, race and gender. Some women I know are fanatical.

I see the local braves training on miserable, cold, dark evenings, working to improve their fitness, skills and teamwork. All credit to them. Every week one team wins and the other loses. It is uplifting and humbling. Lessons and good habits can be carried into broader society.

I don't believe winning is everything. I'd rather be a loser who gave his all than an ungracious winner who had all the luck or advantage. But to win against the odds, when the chips are down, that’s the sweetest victory.