West Coast’s loss to reigning premiers Collingwood last weekend did not stop the club’s passionate interstate fans turning out in force at the MCG.
Among the West Coast members attending the match on Sunday were Norm and Bev Mayo, a couple from NSW who loyally follow the club across Australia.
“It’s a four-hour drive to get to Victorian games, but we do more than just go to games in Melbourne,” Norm said.
“We’ve been to Perth twice this year already to watch West Coast play. We also went to the Tasmania match and we’re planning on heading to Brisbane later this year.”
Although Collingwood claims to have the most passionate members, Norm believes West Coast’s interstate fans are just as devoted.
“West Coast fans are just as passionate and probably even more so, for the simple fact that everybody over east is down on you when you support West Coast,” Norm said.
“If you are not strong and throw it back in their face and support your team no matter what, they walk all over you - especially the Collingwood fans.”
Despite the defeat, Norm remains positive and believes the morale of the loyal interstate fans will continue to be strong.
“I am just rapt to see the team physically having a go again,” Norm said.
“They are showing the traits that have always been West Coast - don’t give in and fight until the end.
“To me that’s what it is all about, you support your team in the good and the bad, you don’t disappear just because they are losing.”
This commitment has helped Norm and Bev form strong relationships with their fellow West Coast supporters and the club.
“In the early days, we had a lot of personal contact with John Worsfold, Guy McKenna and Chris Mainwaring,” Norm recalled.
“These days we get a lot of contact with the players at the post-match functions and we have a ball catching up with people we know from WA.
“I usually have to have a beer after the match just to get my voice working again.”
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