GabiBoyd

Here's a Russian joke for you guys. A man and his wife were driving home from a party late at night with their young child asleep in the backseat. Halfway home, they hear sirens, and the police are pulling them over. An officer walks up to the driver's window and asks the man to take a breath test. The results come back showing him to be several times over the legal limit. The police start writing up a fine, but the man protests vehemently: "No no, there must be some mistake - I haven't had a drop to drink tonight! Your machine must be broken. Isn't it possible that your machine is broken? Here, test my wife too. You don't really think I'd get my wife drunk do you?!" The police officers are sceptical but reluctantly agree to perform the breath test on the wife as well. The results come back and once again show her to be several times over the legal limit. The police are surprised but not shocked, and continue writing up the fine. But once again the man protests. "No no, I swear to you, your machine is broken - neither my wife nor I have had a single sip of alcohol tonight! You have to believe me - look, test my son, you don't really think I'd get my young child drunk do you?!" The police officers laugh and agree to test the child, just to finally silence the driver. The results come back, and their jaws drop. "We're very sorry sir. You've been right all along. Our machine really IS broken - it's showing your son to also be several times over the legal limit. We're very sorry to have taken up your time. Please have a safe drive home!" The man thanks the officers, tells them it's no problem at all, and continues to drive home. After a few minutes, he turns to his wife and says: "See! I told you it wouldn't hurt to give the kid a bit of vodka!"

Which is why I'm not, but talking from my personal observations at the Imp and in Yarraside. Sorry if that wasn't clear. Anyway I've made some awesome friends at both venues so that's the last I'll say on the subject.

It is very much a two-way street, but if you have someone making the effort to come down for the first time (as someone said before, everyone has to start somewhere) and all they're getting is suspicious glances from the regulars, it's not exactly going to encourage them to come back. Not saying everyone does it, but it can be difficult to break into a new group. Anyway, just my opinion. Personally, I loved the atmosphere at the Imp last night. Made me feel proud that that many people care about our club. We should do chants every week, make it feel like a home game as much as possible. Can't wait for next season.

Have to say I agree. Seems to me some folks around here want Heart to be an exclusive club. You can't tell someone they're not a real supporter if they love the club, bleed when we lose and exalt in a win. People have different ways of expressing their support. Maybe they don't come to the Imp every game because of the welcoming atmosphere some of you have exhibited in this thread...

Heh. Got up at 8.30 on a Saturday. Carpooled with two mates. Drove for 3 hours round trip. Spent half an hour at the airport - got there early enough to see the players off the bus, have a chat with JvS, and shake hands with a bunch of the lads. They were visibly chuffed to see us there. A pity that we couldn't get a win last night, but regardless of the team's form it's our role as supporters to support them. Would've been great to see more of us at the airport. Who knows, might have inspired them to greater heights.

Bunch of miserable c*nts, aren't you all? We're two years old. A week ago we were all over the moon to have even gotten to finals. I don't see how that achievement is diminished whatsoever. Next season we aim for more. Simples. Having said that, I think the scoreline flattered Perth. Immensely.

Will definitely be at the Imp for the second half at least. Have a good friend's birthday dinner in Carlton at 7 but hoping to sneak out by 8! Gutted I have to work and can't make it to Adelaide in the first place.

I'll be there

Thoroughly approve of your Monash choice! If you ever practice during the week I might come by and cheer you on after class haha. Or just spy creepily from the bushes.

Hello folks! Seems I'm one of the few females who's strayed into these parts. My name is Gabi and I love the Heart. I was at our first ever game last season and although various other commitments have kept me from attending more than a handful of matches since, I've followed our growth and exploits with great pride, and try to catch every game on tv if I can't be there in person. I was never a Victory supporter. Wasn't much of a fan of the A-league until Heart came along. Arsenal were my first love in football and I follow them religiously so I could give anyone a decent debate about them if they were so inclined. Also a big cricket fan. I was at the derby on Saturday though, how bloody good are our fans? Every match I go to I notice the support getting better and better. I tried to join in with as much of the chants as I could but sadly hardly anyone was singing around me and it was difficult as I didn't really know the words. That's the main reason I've signed up here, hoping to learn the chants properly so I can contribute to the atmosphere I love so much. Any starting pointers or tips would be great! Cool, hopefully see some of you around on matchdays...