A glance to the right and two elated fans hugged.
A little further across the row a young woman, West Coast Eagles scarf draped around her neck, was wiping tears from her eyes. Kids were dancing in the aisles.
The vast majority of fans near the players’ race stood, applauded and cheered. Boisterously.
It was moments after the final siren reverberated around Optus Stadium last Sunday. The emotion was palpable.
Players beamed as they celebrated with fans, high-fiving their way around the boundary after a five-point thriller.
Had someone been attending their first Eagles’ home game, they might have wondered about the fuss was about. What was at stake in this battle of 18th v 17th? The answer was nothing. Except pride. And savouring that winning feeling.
For a club and supporter base that bleeds pride this meant a lot more than your run-of-the-mill bottom of the table victory. It has been tough in the trenches. Just as tough on the terraces as the Eagles have battled all manner of obstacles in the last couple of years.
Winning has never been more infrequent.
Often unfairly maligned by other supporter bases, the Eagles fans have stuck fat. Not just in this season that until last weekend had yielded a solitary victory, way back in round two. But over the last few years.
They have been remarkable. Even moving some of the club’s harshest critics to marvel at their resilience. Where else in the world would 38,000 fans turn up for a clash between cellar dwellers?
In the context of the club’s history this win over North Melbourne will never be recanted as a pivotal moment in the ascent back towards finals contention. But the importance should not be underplayed.
While the joy on the faces of the fans in the stands told part of the story, the mood in the rooms was equally buoyant. Players, coaches, staff, family and friends were all up and about.
Jack Williams and Ryan Maric ‘enjoyed’ their Gatorade shower having played in the first winning games of their short careers. Family and friends, in the rooms post game, enjoyed the enthusiastic rendition of the club song.
The moments immediately after winning are the best. Curiously when those victories are scarce they seem to mean more. When a club is in contention for finals, or in the premiership window, the wins are more of a relief.
There is a sense that every time success is achieved it ticks a box. It’s another step towards a major objective and internally you enjoy the moment, but relatively quickly the focus shifts to next week. The upcoming challenge and the drive to continue the momentum.
The consequences of losing can override the thrill of the triumph.
Don’t get me wrong, that’s the space you want to be living in as you navigate the cut and thrust of the AFL.
When the stakes are high the energy surges with every win. The mood right through the club is upbeat; fans are excited and feel good about their footy club.
On Monday this week, as the work force filed through the doors at Mineral Resources Park, there was a definite lift. Without question it has been a challenging season. The scrutiny has been intense.
Winning doesn’t cure everything, but it is our purpose.
Having experienced a couple of lean years it’s easy to forget the rush that victory brings. Even when it’s against a team just one rung above you on the ladder.
Winning is addictive. Let’s hope for more of it over the next month.
