Following a footy team is a bit like being part of a tribe for people in Melbourne. The choice of a footy team may be a family affair, with allegiance being awarded at birth. Adopting a footy team can be part of becoming more integrated into Australian society, for people who migrate to Australia. Playing footy may lead to better economic outcomes for many indigenous Australians.
My family did not follow football. As a teenager I used to say that “football was a safe way for the masses to vent their frustration, as they yelled at the umpire or the opposition.” If asked who I barracked for I said Hawthorn, because I lived in Hawthorn and it was easier than saying I did not follow football. Nowadays I say I barrack for Essendon because they were the first club to treat indigenous players with respect.
Football became more important when I married, my ex-husband is a one-eyed Collingwood supporter. For most of the 18 years we were together, Collingwood made it into the finals, even the Grand Final but they only won the Premiership once in 1990. He loved to listen to the football on the radio and watch the replays, but he rarely went in person.
Link to history of the game. Please paste into your browser.
http://150years.com.au/History/Timeline/tabid/12089/default.aspx
