With a ‘funny feeling’, Eddie talks about pride in club
UNDENIABLY, there is pain at Collingwood after coming so close to the AFL premiership.
But there is also a defiant sense of pride after a season started on the brink and ended in a spectacular grand final.
Collingwood led for West Coast for most of the day but fell victim to a set shot from Dom Sheed to lose by five points.
President Eddie McGuire rode every bump with his team in the stands, and looked a broken figure in the aftermath.
“You come here with hope in your heart . . . that’s what big time sport is all about,” McGuire said.
“I bought into what Nathan Buckley and the boys brought to the table this year.
“As it turns out, we were in front for 95 per cent of the game and behind for 5 per cent. The bottom line is, we’re behind for eternity from here.”
But McGuire did not take long to pivot to the positives.
He said everyone at Collingwood had the right to feel proud of their efforts after the side regenerated from also-ran to runner-up.
“It’s been enjoyable this week to see the football world look at us other than Collingwood the traditional and the hated side,” he said.
“We lived our ethos this year, we play for the community.
“We beat ourselves up last year to really just strip ourselves bare so we could rebuild our club.
“I’m so proud of what everything done this year, and we had it just about there.
“They’ve got the cup and we walk away with a funny feeling. The West Coast Eagles are worthy champions.”