OPINION
I don’t think I’ve been quite as excited about the impeding return of the footy this year - which is a good thing.
See, in previous years, I’d always seen the Charity Shield as the unofficial start of the footy season.
The moment I found out the date that was on - which would be easily a month before the game - I’d scrawl it on the calendar at home so everyone (i.e. my wife) knew I’d be watching it.
That’d be because it’d been months since I last saw the Dragons play and would likely have spent a fair bit of that time eagerly anticipating the announcement of the Charity Shield game day.
But things are different this year. For instance, while I knew the Charity Shield was coming up I only found out on Sunday that it was being played on Friday.
Now that’s something that in previous years I’d have already known seeing as how it’s the first time they’re playing it on a Friday night.
Also, I can’t say that I’ve been yearning for the return of the footy this year. I choose to take that as a good sign.
To me it means that I’ve finally learned how to chill out during the off-season, rather than spend it watching DVDs of seasons past and willing the calendar to hurry up and get to March already.
I’ve found my footy ‘‘off’’ switch, if you will.
Now I reckon that ‘‘on’’ switch is still working.
Now that I know the Charity Shield is on Friday night, I’m looking forward to watching the game (and yes, my wife has been duly notified). And I’m certain seeing the Red V running around will bring me some joy - even if they don’t look like the Dragons in those black jerseys they’ll be wearing.
And, come tomorrow, I’ll surely be keenly awaiting March 10, when the Dragons play their Round One match. I’ll even be writing the date down on the calendar at home.
