Paul Robinson is one of the men behind the cult social media channels 'The Carlton Draft' and 'The Ressies Footballer'. 

His Black and White passion is unquestionable, and the views represented in this article are solely his own and not representative of the Collingwood Football Club.

I’m still riding the high of knocking the Demons out of the finals.

What a win.

Beating Melbourne, the way we did, proved what we’ve always known. They’re really just a poor-man’s version of us. We’re the biggest team in Australia and they’re not even the biggest team in the city they’re named after. Let that sink in!

If watching Lynden Dunn give a supporter a high-5 after pumping up a cheeky double cobra didn’t warm your Black and White hearts, nothing will. Can someone in the media department make that moment into a GIF?

And we can rewind even further and uncover more memorable moments. Watching Steele Sidebottom hit Josh Daicos on the chest to kick his first goal is a moment I will never forget. I even made the next-door neighbour’s kid come over and kick the footy at me at least 30 times so I could recreate it later that night. It was character building for both of us.

Okay, now I’ve gotten my small talk out of the way I’ve got some bad news. I’ve done the math. I flipped the chalkboard and smashed the calculator. I am now ready to accept the bruising and gutting reality of life – we can no longer make finals.

Although the second half of our season was much better than first, that alone is not enough to get you into the top eight. Believe me, I called the AFL and stated my case on why we should be an exception. They let Carlton of all teams in from ninth place in 2013. Why not us in 2017?

Gillon’s office blocked my number. And once I pulled the corporate knife from my back, I sat down and reflected on what the year had provided.

I was eventually content.

I know I shouldn’t be as we didn’t make finals but I’m an optimist and I can’t help but think how young this group is. We haven’t even hit our peak yet.

We’ve got Daicos, Callum Brown, Darcy Moore, Kayle Kirby, Tim Broomhead, Brayden ‘the Bulldog’ Maynard, Jordan De Goey and the odd couple in Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar.



Taylor Adams and Adam Treloar share a moment after a 2016 victory. Image: AFL Photos.

Sides will fear playing us next season.

And we can’t rule out our older stars back at full fitness either. Throw Scott Pendlebury, Travis Varcoe, Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo and Daniel Wells into the mix and let’s start using the ‘F’ word now baby!

Mark my words. We’ll be back where we belong in September in 2018. Football is a wonderful thing and it’s even more wonderful-er when you’re winning.

Our stay at this part of the ladder is over. Richmond can thank us for keeping it warm for them, and we can thank them for keeping our spot in September just as toasty.

Magpie Army – Never forget how you felt during the lows of this season. The highs are not far away and they’ll be better than Christmas when they arrive.

I hope the boys enjoyed themselves on Mad Monday and didn’t forget to invite Jordy De Goey’s dog.

Go you mighty Pies.



Let's hope for more of Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey providing highlights on the field in 2018. Image: AFL Photos.