Better pull your socks up, Cats fans

‘THANKS for coming. I’d like to make a short statement, but I won’t be taking any questions.

I want to apologise for my actions on Saturday, June 22. I was naive and stupid. To anyone who was offended, I say “Sorry”.

To my family, workmates and the Geelong Football Club, I also apologise.

I promise I won’t make the same mistake again.

When I look back, it’s difficult to explain what I was thinking. If I’d been stronger I would’ve stopped myself, and wouldn’t be in this position.

All season I’ve been wearing my Cats socks on game day.

It was accidental at first. Then, five or six games in, I realised the immense power this subtle statement of blueand-white pride was having on the team. I’d wear my socks, they’d win. The correlation was obvious. I started forward-planning so the socks would be available on game day. Two weeks ago I stuffed up. I know now why it happened. The team was coming off the mid-season bye. My routine was broken. I was hurrying to get dressed and get my daughter to netball, and the Cats were playing interstate that night, so I thoughtlessly grabbed a pair of Bonds and put them on my feet. Only when I had one shoe tied did I realise what I’d done. I thought about swapping, but convinced myself I was being a superstitious fool. “You’re a 42-year-old man, surely you don’t believe your socks affect how your footy team plays,” I thought. I also considered my late father-in-law, Ambrose. He convinced himself not to watch or listen to any Cats games live because he was convinced they played better when he wasn’t tuned in.

He loved the team so much he never followed their games.

I didn’t want to be one of those supporters. So I kept the Bonds on, and the Cats fell to their second loss of the season.

The players looked flat. They don’t know me, but did they know I didn’t have my Cats socks on?

Post-game I watched Chris Scott front the press and take responsibility for the defeat. I knew it should’ve been me sitting in that chair.

Which is what brings me here today. I wore my Cats socks again on Friday, and was relieved to see the team return to the winners’ list.

I’m sorry, but I think I’ve become one of those supporters.