u/CapitalProfessional2

I am a firm believer that a club’s culture is reflected in its fan base and strengthened by its fans.

City of Melbourne, locals and small businesses have said that the Purple Army travelling to Melbourne were nothing but kind, respectful and a joy to be around. There were no violent incidents or clashes following the GF, everyone was respectful to each other and the vibe in town was incredible all week leading up to the GF. I was there as a Freo local now living in Melbourne and I’ve never seen the city painted in so much purple and it genuinely felt like such a joyful celebration.

I’ve read countless messages from neutrals or fans from other clubs who have loved coming to Optus or being amongst the Purple Army at any of our away games because we are such passionate, loyal, kind and respectful fans. You would never see us throwing bottles at umpires on the field because a decision didn’t go our way. We just take it our stride and move on. Thats not to say we don’t get heated in the moment, I did say we’re passionate 😉 but I like to think we know how to let things go and focus on the bigger picture. Maybe it’s because we’ve been waiting so long for the premiership? We’ve gotten so good at rising above the BS, drowning out the noise or riding the highs and lows that come with being in the Purple Army.

I’ve been to many away games supporting Freo and some of the home crowd fans are hostile, aggressive and it really leaves you feeling uncomfortable. But what I keep hearing and reading is that after this GF, Freo fans are viewed as some of the best fans in the league. I would argue that it’s because of the culture our club has created.

It says a lot about a club when its culture is widely reflected in its fans in the way they carry themselves all season, how they treat each other and rival fans/teams. Sure, there are isolated incidences, we’re not perfect and our Derby’s get pretty heated understandably so haha. But for the majority of our fan base, I’d say we are great.

When fans of other clubs comment how it’s hard not to love our boys or the culture of the club or the passionate purple army, that says a lot. When other fans comment about how much fun they had being around the purple army or joining the purple army for the week, that’s special. I don’t think many other clubs can say they had neutrals genuinely happy to join in and wear the team colours for a day. How cool is that?!

Sure we didn’t get the premiership cup, but we showed the world who we are and I think we need to be bloody proud of that.

Anyways, just wanted to say how grateful I am for what this season gave us. The boys gave us one hell of a season to celebrate, breaking numerous AFL/VFL and club records and getting us to the Grand Final!

We’re a 2026 grand finalist team and that’s something to celebrate big time.

Bring on 2027! 💜🤍⚓️

He’s actually asking intelligent questions like he’s talking coach to coach or coach to player rather than just media interviewing. His questions are really insightful and as someone who was in a coaching role not too long ago, I can see he’s asking coaches and players the kinds of questions he probably has wanted to ask while he was a coach. Honestly way better than Garry Lyon and his VIC bias (I say this as a Victorian).

That’s all… (I don’t want to jinx this game)

I hate the mid season byes. I rather it be on one weekend where all the teams break. But that also means ditching the opening round and all teams starting at Round 1.

My avoidant ex bf has been maintaining the relationship in social settings.

1. Our mutual friend (his colleague) found out about the break up through me. When I confirmed it had been 3 weeks, he said only a few days ago my ex was telling him he was taking me out for dinner.

2. When the same friend reached out to my ex to offer support, my ex requested no one find out about the break up.

Is this normal?

2 weeks ago, my ex came to the conclusion that he didn’t want to be in the relationship anymore. As heartbroken as I was, and as distressed as he was (frozen, shallow breathing, non verbal), I walked out of the home. He begged me to tell him where I was going, texted me asking me if I was safe. Since then he’s messaged me to let me know I’m welcome to pop home to grab anything I might need and then to extend an olive branch saying he’d open to talking if and when I’m ready acknowledging that this “sucks”… but in a turn of events. I’ve ignored him. Cut him off completely. I mean this is what he wanted, to be alone. So I’m just trying to respect it.

It’s been 2 weeks since I walked out, 1 week since he extended the olive branch. And I’m just at a point where I am not sure what to do. I don’t mean to punish him, but I genuinely don’t know how to respond or what talking will achieve.

Would really love some advice, should I reach out? What would you do if an ex reached out multiple times?

P.S I believe he made this decision from a place of overwhelm, not clarity as it didn’t seem like he had thought about what a break up would truly look like.

He (M39) broke up with me (F34) last night. He said after therapy that he realised the reason he had been struggling to work on himself and put in the effort to heal was because he didn’t want to be in the relationship anymore and he just wanted to be alone. I have never seen a more anxious, broken, devastated man as I saw in him last night. He doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body and I knew he was shattered. I could hear him hyperventilating and distraught at the idea of hurting me. I grabbed whatever I could and I just left. Not telling him where I was going despite him wanting to know. I haven’t spoken to him since. My whole life has changed and shattered into a million pieces. Just yesterday we were talking about buying a house together and booking appointments to view homes. Now I’m alone and the man I dreamed of marrying is gone.