Carlton breaks Robbie Williams’ heart after preliminary final failure
Pop legend Robbie Williams has shared a video that has summed up the devastation being felt by thousands of Aussies today.
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Robbie Williams has ridden a rollercoaster in his superfan journey on the Carlton bandwagon, but it’s now come to a crashing end.
The pop megastar on Sunday morning posted some videos on his Instagram stories that said it all about the Blues’ season ending under the devastating circumstances of coughing up a five-goal lead in the preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.
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Williams had celebrated the Blues’ finals series wins over the Demons and Swans with posts that went viral in football circles — but he wasn’t at his best after watching Carlton’s defeat.
Williams shared one clip of him shaking his head with a big frown and his fist on his chin while watching the game.
A few hours later he shared a video of him singing the theme song from Sitcom Friends.
“So no-one told you life was gonna be this way.”
It wasn’t quite up to the standards of his “De Koning’s in the air” tune that had Carlton fans singing over the past week.
Jump onboard, we're off to the Granny! @robbiewilliamspic.twitter.com/tTXGtJGxsC
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) September 23, 2023
Send someone to love him ⦠ð
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) September 23, 2023
ð The dream run for Robbie Williams on the Bluebaggers this September is over after a Preliminary Finals loss to the Lions.
ð¥ Robbie Williams #AFL#AFLFinals#AFLLionsBluespic.twitter.com/K6hm8xEitS
His pain was shared by thousands of Carlton supporters who watched on as the Blues were blown away in the second quarter and third quarter — at one point conceding a run of nine goals to one — to lose by 16 points.
Carlton fans will always have the memories after getting through to their first preliminary final since 2000.
The loss to the Lions means the Blues’ premiership drought since 1995 will continue.
Williams was in the final year of his run with boy band Take That when Steve Kernahan led the Blues to that 1995 flag.
His connections to Carlton actually started back in 2012 when he was photographed wearing a Blues guernsey, reported by the club to have been given to him by Aussie musician and friend Tim Metcalfe.
But it was only last year when he truly got on board with the Blue Baggers.
Williams produced one of the better AFL grand final shows for last year’s decider between Geelong and the Swans.
But it seems the Blues managed to sway the British superstar through a couple of key moves.
Oh and he also likes navy blue as a colour.
“It’s ridiculous how many teams one place has,” Williams said in an interview with Channel 7 prior to last year’s big match. “Melbourne seems to have 300 teams for some reason.
“That’s why it’s so difficult to choose a team for me.
“I’m still picking, (but) I think I’m going for Carlton.
“They sent their coach (Michael Voss) today to come and say hello. We had a great chat and they bought me a shirt and I’m easily swayed.
“I also like that white emblem thing they have on the front and the navy blue.”
Firstly, the 49-year-old taunted the Swans in a viral Instagram post after Carlton knocked the Sydneysiders out in week one of the finals.
“Every time, every time, every time I’ve watched the Swans,” Williams sang to his 2.8 million followers.
“The Swans have lost to everyone.”
Williams was then moved to post a series of videos following Carlton’s win over Melbourne.
The Carlton team song could be heard playing in the background.
“Wow. Is it like this every year cos I am so in,” Williams starts, showing he needs to brush up on his Carlton history.
“My... god...”
A Better Man, a Navy Blue man.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) September 24, 2022
Weâre happy to have you, @robbiewilliams ð pic.twitter.com/mzcIL38cNL
He also sang one song where he added his own lyrics to the tune of Love Is In The Air, a song fittingly first recorded by Aussie John Paul Young.
“De Koning’s in the air, everywhere I look around,” Williams sang.
“De Koning’s everywhere, leaving bodies on the ground.
“And he’s better than his brother, even better than his dad.
“There’s only one Thomas de Koning, and he’s the best one we’ll ever have.
“De Koning’s in the air! De, de, de, de, de, de.”
The Lions, meanwhile, are through to the grand final to face Collingwood, the third time the two sides have squared off on the biggest stage of all.
Their previous two meetings came back in 2002 and 2003 when the Lions emerged victorious and claimed their historic three-point.
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Originally published as Carlton breaks Robbie Williams’ heart after preliminary final failure