I get accused, at times, of having my head buried in the VFL-sand. I think it’s a little unfair, as really, it is where I spent the majority of my young life, and as such, the VFL is my lived experience.
But it is not my only lived footy experience. No, no, no…
You see, back in 1990, just as the Adelaide Crows were gearing up to enter the AFL, and for a little while after, I was based in South Australia. And it was there that I was treated to seeing the SANFL in person.
It may have been my time in the City of Churches, but it was also the time one particular player made me a believer.
My introduction to Garry McIntosh came when a family friend insisted I stop pining for the VFL and come to a local game with his family. I was footy-mad back then, and was desperate to tune in and see what was happening “back home” in the VFL at every opportunity. I was devouring all news pertaining to the introduction of the Crows, and there was plenty to devour, but I really missed going to the footy. And as anyone who has been at one state league and then another, for all the similarities, there are still plenty of differences. In many ways, it was a whole other world.
Same, same… yet very different.
I eventually went to a few Adelaide Crows games, including their Round One demolition of my Hawks at Footy Park in 1991 (what a horrible day), but in 1990, aside from a game here and there on telly, it was the SANFL or nothing. Particularly in person.
We were staying at Kensington Park – Norwood Footy Ground was just down the road – and that friend got my father and I to come along to a few Redlegs games.
It was there I was baptised into the Parish of McIntosh, praised be his name.
The remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
Oh… you thought the Mongrel coverage ended with the final siren of the GF? No, no, no… HB works year-round, and he works for our members. He believes work such as this is worth a mere pittance per day. If you don’t, that’s fine. You’re welcome to join and keep reading if you do.
