My love of football began back in the little town of Heywood in Victoria’s southwest, the home of the fighting Gunditjmara people and the Heywood Lions Football Club.  We played in the Western Border League competing against border teams from Victoria and South Australia.  

Every chance we got we would go and watch the uncles play footy for the green and gold.  I was so proud of their sporting abilities and loved to tell everyone who would listen, “That’s my uncles!”

Back then in the 1960s, afternoon tea at the footy was quite an occasion.  We had our tea served in dainty, china teacups with saucers with fresh sandwiches, homemade cakes and lamingtons.  Of course all this “daintiness” would disappear the moment we went back to the stand and started barracking again.     


I am a loyal Collingwood supporter and have been for many years now, prior to that I was a Richmond follower.  I changed to Collingwood in 1982 after my cousin Wallace (Wally Lovett) joined the Pies and when he moved to Richmond in 1983/4, I stayed with the Magpies.

Football unites people no matter where you come from or how old you are.  The strategies used on the ground to win a game are like the rules of life we need to succeed.  

I’ve taken spectacular marks, groaned at unfortunate passages of play, questioned umpiring decisions and waited for the final siren along with thousands of other football fans.  I could “coach” by yelling out instructions to the players like, “Handball!” “Kick it!” or “Run!”    

My heart is in the game and whether it’s broken by a loss or thrilled because of a win, I could never imagine not having football in my life.  

Go Pies!