Blight's story shows how harsh 'supporters' can be

But 25 years after he resigned, he explained this week why he did it.

GEELONG DAYS: Malcolm Blight addresses his players during a AFL match in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

I WAS saddened by a story in this paper earlier in the week about AFL legend Malcolm Blight, who opened up about why he left Geelong after getting them to three grand finals as coach.

He abruptly stepped down after the 1994 decider, not really giving any reason and bewildering all and sundry.

But 25 years after he resigned, he explained this week why he did it.

Apparently during a midseason game against lowly St Kilda, the Saints had got off to a flying start and they looked like they were on their way to a massive upset.

After one of the breaks the Cats fans started booing the players and I suppose the coaching staff.

Mal decided there and then it would be his last season as he couldn't understand why so-called fans would do that and he didn't want to be part of a club that had a culture like that.

Fair enough I reckon. Malcolm Blight has an impeccable record as a player and as a coach and it makes one wonder what makes up a so-called loyal footy fan when they do that.

He did have the last laugh though moving to Adelaide and winning two premierships in a row.

I can relate to this in a good way actually.

As chairman of the Falcons, we had a record-breaking losing streak back in 2014-15 and I cannot remember a time our resilient bunch of supporters booed and they probably had every right to do so but they didn't.

The drums are beating at the Broncos and I am hoping Anthony Seibold has thicker skin than Malcolm Blight.

If they can't manufacture a win against the Sharks on Saturday night I reckon Seibs will be about as popular as Clive Palmer is in Townsville and I reckon there will be a few boos coming his way, as there will for the CEO as well.

To be fair though, I don't think they are far off, going by the way they played against the Raiders.

The baby Broncos forwards actually punched some holes through the Raiders middle which hasn't been easy to do in 2019.

Like any good footy team the spine has to work and the Broncos one is still clunky so I reckon if the Sharks get the prize on Saturday it will either be a revamp of the spine or the coach.

My money though is on the Broncos to get the points, not that I really care apart from my tipping comp.

Some great local footy on the weekend as well as the Vantage Falcons take on a dangerous Mackay Cutters on Saturday arvo at the stadium.

Also, don't forget the brave Mal Meninga Cup Falcons, who take on Wynnum Manly in the sudden death semi at the bay on Saturday. It has been a great effort by coach Danny Gray and his young side to make the finals. Let's hope they can come home giant killers and progress to next week's grand final.

In Vantage Homes Cup games Sharks v Crushers, Dolphins v Swans and the Devils v Rivers all on Saturday night and Pirates v Beerwah on Sunday arvo. Check the website for times.

Originally published as Blight's story shows how harsh 'supporters' can be