INSPIRATION FROM THIS STRANGEST OF SEASONS

THERE are so many compelling stories before the ball has even been bounced tonight: THE favourite son, who has endured a horror year, wants to end his career and cap off his homecoming with a premiership;

THE beloved skipper who could become the club’s first-ever four-time premiership player;

A HOMEGROWN champion desperately chasing his first flag;

TWO code-jumpers from the other side of the globe who left their Irish home towns behind them to chase AFL glory;

A TRIO of sons of former club champions, trying to get the premiership that eluded their fathers;

coach, forgoing his pay cheque for a big part of the season, and forced to FaceTime his wife and young daughter every day from interstate for more than 100 days;

27 club employees made redundant when effects of the pandemic wreaked havoc on the club’s coffers, and the 50,000 members who pledged their allegiance even after they realised they wouldn’t see a game in the flesh; and,

families and loved ones who will be watching from afar as their boys chase glory, and those who made the interstate odyssey via quarantine in order to be there in person.

These are just some of the stories that have filled newspaper columns this week But there is another story that many would have missed.

That is the story of our city — a strong, resilient community that has been doing it tough and is in desperate need of the good news a Cats premiership would provide.

History tells us that our city rides the fortunes of the Cats. Ultimate success cascades down through our community, spreading its positive influence through our business economy, our schools and our sporting clubs.

Geelong is the second oldest football club in the world. It was born from within our very community, is the beating heartbeat of our city. And the club, just like our city, is on the cusp of greatness.

Much like Phar Lap during the Depression era, this year the club has provided our city with a much-needed escape during a time of great stress.

The Cats have supplied entertainment during the endless months of lockdown, joy when so many of us were consumed by fear over the pandemic, and a distraction from the stresses of employment, income, loneliness and ailing businesses.

Not everyone loves footy, indeed not every local loves the same team, but tonight, at least, our city’s fortunes ride on the backs of those 22 men who have endured a football season like no other and are one step away from the ultimate success.

Because — at home or far away — we are Geelong.

Go Cats