A House Divided: The AFL Rivalry Splitting a Family
Football season has returned, bringing with it a wave of excitement and optimism for fans across the nation. However, for one household, the joy of the game is overshadowed by a deep-seated tension that threatens to divide the family. This is the story of a lifelong Adelaide Crows supporter and his fiancée, Bec, a devoted Essendon fan, as they navigate the tricky question of which AFL team their children should support.
The Roots of the Rivalry
In the early days of their relationship, Sam and Bec managed to set aside their football differences, focusing instead on their shared love and commitment. But with the arrival of their two young daughters, aged one and three, what was once friendly banter has escalated into a full-blown conflict. Sam naively assumed that their children would naturally gravitate towards the more successful club, Adelaide, which often sits higher on the ladder. Bec, however, is adamant that both girls are already Essendon supporters, a notion that Sam finds deeply unsettling.
"I feel dirty just typing that," Sam admits. "My own flesh and blood—Essendon supporters? To me, it's the ultimate betrayal, even worse than if they told me they 'wake up with Today.'"
The Strategic Campaign
What started as light-hearted teasing has transformed into what Sam describes as a blatant and strategic campaign by Bec and her family to indoctrinate their children into the Essendon fold. The James family, including Bec's brother Scotty James, are lifelong Bombers fans, and they have been relentless in their efforts. A steady stream of Essendon merchandise has infiltrated the home, including Bombers onesies, beanies, scarves, retro jumpers, key rings, drink bottles, and even a Bombers door mat.
"It feels like every time I return from a work trip, there's new Essendon merch in our house," Sam laments. "The door mat was a housewarming 'gift' from Bec's Dad Phil. The consistent and strategic brainwashing has gone too far."
Finding Common Ground
Despite the rivalry, Sam acknowledges that he doesn't mind the Bombers and sees potential value in his daughters supporting them. He believes they could learn important life lessons such as character, resilience, and even a touch of delusion from following the team. In a gesture of compromise, Sam has offered to encourage their daughters, Margot and Mabel, to choose Essendon as their second team, since he doesn't view them as a serious threat to the Crows.
However, the household remains divided, with both parents holding firm to their allegiances. Sam is seeking advice and is open to suggestions, but his current plan is to allow the girls to make their own decision when they turn five, hoping they will have a better understanding of the significance of the choice by then.
The Ultimate Fear
There is one scenario that both Sam and Bec agree on: if their daughters ignore their parents' teams and choose to support Collingwood instead, they will be immediately overruled and grounded. This shared boundary highlights the depth of their commitment to their respective clubs, even in the face of family discord.
As the AFL season unfolds, this family's story serves as a humorous yet poignant reminder of how sports rivalries can permeate everyday life, challenging relationships and forcing difficult conversations about identity, loyalty, and parenting in the modern world.
