The Australian Football League (AFL) is more than just a sport for many fans. It is a source of social connection, identity and belonging that can enrich their lives and well-being. This is especially true for the long-suffering and new Carlton fans, who have endured years of disappointment and frustration, but still remain loyal and hopeful.
Carlton’s roller-coaster season
The 2023 AFL season has been a roller-coaster ride for the Carlton Football Club. The Blues started the season with high expectations, after narrowly missing the finals in 2022 by a single kick. However, they soon found themselves at the bottom of the ladder, with only four wins in the first 14 rounds. They suffered humiliating losses to arch rivals Essendon and Collingwood, and faced calls for the sacking of their coach Michael Voss.
However, the Blues showed some signs of life in the second half of the season, winning six of their last eight games. They staged remarkable comebacks against Gold Coast and Sydney, and defeated top teams like Geelong and Port Adelaide. They also unveiled some exciting young talents, such as Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Tom De Koning and Sam Walsh, who gave the fans a glimpse of the future.
The Blues finished the season in 10th place, just two points behind the eighth-placed Richmond. They missed the finals for the ninth consecutive year, but they also avoided their worst finish since 2015.
The joy of fandom
Despite the ups and downs of Carlton’s season, many fans still found joy and satisfaction in following their team. They attended the games at the MCG and Ikon Park, cheered on their players, sang their club song, and wore their navy blue colours with pride. They also engaged with other fans on social media, podcasts, forums and blogs, sharing their opinions, emotions and stories.
One of these fans is Craig Little, a writer and academic who introduced his seven-year-old daughter to AFL fandom this year. He took her to see Carlton play against Gold Coast at the MCG in June, when the Blues came from behind to win by 28 points. He wrote about his experience in an article for The Guardian, where he explained how AFL fandom can help demonstrate the value of sport beyond participation.
Little said that his daughter was initially bored and confused by the game, but she soon became captivated by the atmosphere, the action and the characters on the field. She asked him questions about the rules, the players and the history of the club. She also learned some valuable lessons about resilience, teamwork and sportsmanship.
Little said that he was happy to share his passion for Carlton with his daughter, and to see her develop a sense of belonging to a community of fans. He said that AFL fandom can provide a social connection that can enhance one’s well-being and happiness.
The challenges of fandom
However, AFL fandom is not always easy or pleasant. It can also involve pain, frustration and anger. It can test one’s patience, loyalty and faith. It can expose one to criticism, ridicule and abuse. It can also create conflicts with family, friends and colleagues who support different teams or have different views.
For Carlton fans, these challenges have been particularly acute in recent years. The Blues have not won a premiership since 1995, and have not played in a grand final since 1999. They have been plagued by poor performances, bad decisions and scandals. They have also been overshadowed by their rivals, such as Essendon, Collingwood and Richmond, who have enjoyed more success and popularity.
Some Carlton fans have become disillusioned and disengaged from their team. Some have switched their allegiance to other teams or codes. Some have even given up on AFL altogether.
However, many Carlton fans have remained faithful and optimistic. They have supported their team through thick and thin. They have celebrated their wins and mourned their losses. They have hoped for better days ahead.
They have also found ways to cope with the challenges of fandom. They have used humour, sarcasm and irony to express their feelings. They have vented their frustrations on talkback radio or online forums. They have sought comfort and solidarity from other fans who share their plight.
The future of fandom
As the 2023 AFL season comes to an end, Carlton fans are looking forward to the next season with mixed emotions. They are proud of their team’s improvement and potential, but they are also wary of their team’s inconsistency and vulnerability. They are hopeful that their team can make the finals and contend for the premiership, but they are also realistic about their team’s limitations and challenges.
They are also curious about how AFL fandom will evolve in the future. They wonder how technology will change the way they watch, follow and interact with their team. They wonder how social issues will affect the way they relate to their players, coaches and administrators. They wonder how cultural diversity will influence the way they identify with their club, their code and their country.
They are also aware that AFL fandom is not the most important thing in their lives. They have other interests, hobbies and passions that enrich their lives. They have other responsibilities, obligations and commitments that demand their attention. They have other relationships, friendships and connections that support their well-being.
However, they also know that AFL fandom is a special and meaningful part of their lives. It is a source of joy and belonging that sustains them through the good times and the bad times. It is a way of expressing themselves and connecting with others. It is a way of living and loving.
