I’ve traded in Suncorp Stadium for The Gabba and have recently become one of the newest Brisbane Lions members. How I got here is still a puzzle to me.
I grew up in country Queensland, born into a proud rugby league family. My grandmother was a life member of the local rugby league club, my uncle was the first grade coach, and the rest of the family was either on the field, or gathered round the sidelines. You might say I was genetically pre-disposed to the game. I was a die-hard fanatic. I honestly believed my beloved NRL team couldn’t possibly win unless I watched the game in my team jersey and footy socks.
At some point during my early twenties I lost my passion for rugby league. My favourite players began to retire, the game seemed to lose some of its panache, and my passion for supporting my team slowly faded. Somewhere along the way however, my mother became interested in AFL, or 'aerial ping pong' as I preferred to call it. I knew nothing about the game, but I knew I didn’t like it. I went to great lengths to moan and groan whenever Mum discussed her beloved Brisbane Lions.
In 2010 my Mum turned 60, and as a grand and extremely selfless gesture, my sister and I decided we would take her to her first AFL match at The Gabba. She was thrilled, and was even more overjoyed when we took her to the Lions Shop before the match to meet some red-headed guy who we deduced was a popular player. While Mum gushed over him, we didn’t take too much notice. We were too busy discussing what good daughters we were to suffer through such an ordeal and taking guesses at the duration of the game in eager anticipation of getting out of there.
After realising that the first siren meant the end of the first quarter and not the first half, I realised I was in for the long haul. I decided I might, for academic purposes only, actually watch the game so I could see just how silly it was with my own eyes. By the final siren that night I had mixed feelings. I actually enjoyed it. Not that I was going to admit that to anyone, especially not my mother!
Being the good daughter that I am, I dutifully escorted mum to three more games. I became fascinated with the whole experience. Everyone was friendly - from the person who took your ticket to the security staff that showed you to your seat. The spectators were passionate, the game was lively and fast, and everyone was transfixed, from the littlest of kids playing AusKick at half time to the elderly couple tucked up under their crotched Brisbane Lions rug eating their homemade sandwiches. This overwhelming sense of belonging struck me. And it seemed that even me, a diehard rugby league fan who knew very little about the game could be easily and readily accepted into the fold.
It was this sense of community that eventually turned me into a Lions supporter. I may not know all of the rules, but after attending a handful of games and now religiously watching on television, I’m picking it up quickly. I’m looking forward to my next home game and a visit to the Lions Shop to purchase my supporters gear, because you know they won’t win if I’m not wearing it.
And who knows, maybe I will be lucky enough to run into my favourite player Daniel Merrett again, because this time I will actually know who he is!
- Corinne Beasley (Member #2076802)
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Club
