It all started back in the early eighties; I was about three or four years old, and had been enduring immense pressure from much of the family to show allegiance to the Pies. The only thing I remember is that I didn’t like being pressured towards a team that I didn’t choose myself. As a young boy, I think the image of the Demon appealed to me, and from this point on I became one of the red and blue faithful. As a young boy, I remember going to a few games but none more than the dreaded 1987 Preliminary Final - the game that sparked my extreme dislike of the Hawks. It was around this stage that I moved to regional Victoria with the family, and didn’t get to many games.

 

As a young 17 year-old, I joined the Army in 1994, and suffered a 15 year exile from Victoria. Living in Townsville, it became very hard to follow footy (I did my best), as I was away a lot of the time with work and everything is rugby (the takeover is surging now).  I took discharge from the Army after 15 years and moved back to sunny Victoria late last year, looking forward to hitting the ‘G for a few games.

 

Round One this year fuelled my objection toward the Hawks, which was also compounded by my lovely partner Erin’s choice of the Hawks as her team after moving interstate. I immediately braced myself for another one of those years; however, over the next four rounds I saw infinite promise in the Dees. I knew it might be a rollercoaster, but immediately became a member and within a few weeks had Erin jump ship; she is now a staunch MFC supporter and looking forward to also becoming a member next year.

 

With the trials of moving interstate, going to the MGG to see the boys play always gives us something to look forward to on weekends.  The Dees finally have the AFL world at their feet, the coming years are going to be exciting to say the least and I can’t wait to follow the development of the team as we go. Finally I’d just like to thank Jim for all he has done for the MFC - he is its heart and soul and I can’t wait to see his face when we win our next flag!

 

GO THE MIGHTY DEES.

 

Cheers Cory Hackett