The fact that this game also had so clear examples of them, it only contributes to make the Showdown XLV an instant classic. Victorians can deny as much as they want,[5] but the Showdown is the best rivalry in Australian football; and I am glad of having the opportunity to experience it – to be part of it!

As painful as this last derby was, those pains are ultimately what makes the rivalry so great. Derby wins wouldn’t be so sweet, if the losses weren’t as bitter as they are. One must accept the bad that comes with the good. There is no other way.

Of course, I would have preferred that Port actually had put itself in a position that calls like that ridiculous Westhoff’s 50m penalty [that I knew it would be called the moment it happened] and the “postgate” wouldn’t matter for the outcome.[6] We had the chance to do that TWICE in Q4, but we blew them both. Still, this also contributes to make last game so special.

The first quarter was the best quarter of footy I had the pleasure of witness. It does not matter that we were 4

th

and they were 12

th