Tis the season to be excited!!

Well hello everyone.

I thought that I would dedicate this post to the wonderful game of Rugby League seeing that the season is only three days away.

I suppose what I wanted to talk about is how the game has affected me as a fan and what I hold dear to my heart when I watch a game.

I started watching and being involved in Rugby League when I was just seven years old, growing up in Manly. At that time everyone you spoke to in Manly was into their footy and the kids I played with the most were Manly tragics. We lived on North Head at the army barracks and for anyone who's been there you'd know there is plenty of room to kick a footy. At the time my hero was Phil Blake and I used to pretend I was side stepping though mountains of defence as I ran down the road in my little Velcro sneakers.

When I turned eight we moved to the country, where there was still alot of interest in league, however there was also alot of emphasis on Aussie Rules and Cricket. Be that as it may, family weekends were always spent watching the League or out in the yard playing it.Dad being a Saints supporter and myself a Bulldogs supporter would sit glued to the t.v. both intently biting our nails as our teams fought it out. I would spend hours saving money for footy cards and stickers and too this day I can still remember the smell of the chewy that went with it.

State of Origin time was like Christmas with our presents being the kick off and opening fight to start the contest. The best of the best taking to the field and absolutely smashing the stuffing out of one another for 80 minutes. For me there has never been a better contest with State of Origin showing us the true gladiators of our time, risking injury for fame and glory. In a hundred years they will be talking about the toughness of these men and what they achieved in their sport.

Now there is a new era in our family as I watch my son grow and learn the game. He is a Loyal Knights supporter (Don't know where that came from) and starts playing in his local team this year, which also happens to be the Knights. I look forward to many a game on the couch, cheering and booing till we are red in the face.

I suppose when I think about League, I think about the wins and the loses, but also the enjoyment of sharing those moments with my mates and family. I guess sport for me is about family. For us it was always about getting in there and supporting your team no matter what anyone else thought of them, an even if you lost, you still kept your head up high.

If you haven't already got the bug then its hard to describe, every game I watch my team play is the same feeling you get in your guts when your riding a roller coaster, those wonderful butterflies.I think that this season will be a great one and with the off field incidents aside I think all league supporters have united to keep the game alive for years to come.

I know for me this season, it'll be hard to leave the fingernails alone.

Tell us what League means to you and Why your club will go all the way this season.