Robbie Martin: The night he nearly fell off the bandwagon

Room for all on the Australian football bandwagon.

Even me old mate Robbie.

We met when he was in my accounting class many years ago. A Sydney Swans magoo..number two, reserves I'm told, and an ACT Junior AFL development officer to boot.

Robbie loved and talked his AFL. Soccer as he called it, well he heard of it but he didn't let me talk about it.

He even preferred to do accounting.

Catching up with Robbie recently I was stunned to hear how he become a football convert. Read Robbie's story at www.nearpost.blogspot.com/

But there was a night Robbie nearly fell off the bandwagon.

"I'm a fan now, a convert. I go to watch Melbourne Victory and I love it."

I stand amazed, listening. What is happening in Australia. Young blokes, died in the wool AFL guys going to football games.

"But there was a night I nearly fell off the bandwagon,"laughs Robbie.

"Do tell."

"I was watching Australia in the World Cup against Japan. I had my Socceroos shirt on, even my scarf. I was right into it."

"When Japan scored. I was stunned and deflated. I couldn't see Australian scoring. As the game went on, I felt worse and worse."

Robbie looks at me. You can feel his shame.

"I did it. I took my Australian shirt off. I was so disappointed. I thought we'd lost. And then we scored, and the shirts back on," he laughs.

"Yeah I nearly fell off the bandwagon but I'm back on for Asia."

Good on yer Robbie. Go Asia, enjoy the games.