SO WITH the two grand finalists now having been decided it's now time to turn our attention to the biggest game of the A-League season.
But for many fans, it's one of the most nerve wracking weeks of their life as they do everything within their power to ensure their team wins the big one and they won't be kicking a ball in anger.
For many football players, superstition plays a huge part in their pre-match routine. Apparently Cristiano Ronaldo gets his hair cut at the same hairdressers before every game; Chelsea captain John Terry always sits in the same seat on the team bus; and former England forward Gary Lineker never scored during a warm-up, preferring to save the goal scoring for the match.
But for us fans, superstition also plays a huge part in their pre-match rituals and when it comes to Grand Finals, it kicks into overdrive. Wearing lucky shirts and caps; going to the same pub pre-match; and sitting with the same people are just a small number of superstitions that fans rely on to get their team to win.
According to an article featured in the English version of FourFourTwo in a study by bankers MBNA, the Top Ten fans rituals were as follows:
1. Lucky drink before or during the game (35%)
2. Lucky clothing, from scarves to pants (21%)
3. Eating a particular meal or visiting a lucky burger van (10%)
4. Taking the same route to every game (9%)
5. Placing a bet before kick-off (4%)
6. Having sex before the game (3%)
7. Using the same parking spot on match day (3%)
8. Using a lucky toilet before the game starts (3%)
9. Praying (3%)
10. Listening to a particular piece of music (2%)
I have to admit that I am one of those fans who sometimes relies on a touch of superstition when comes to supporting my team.
When Melbourne were on their double winning ways of the 2006/07 I refused to wash my Victory shirt that I purchased about a third of the way through that season until after we had won the Grand Final.
In the end I guess it paid off as we won the big one. However, every time I raised my arms in celebration for each one of those six goals I caught a whiff off the smell that was emanating from my shirt and I felt a little sorry for those sitting in close proximity.
And as soon as I got home from that game that shirt found the wash quicker than a linesman raising their flag when Archie Thompson looks anywhere near offside.
But why do we as football fans do it? I think it is our way of trying to have some influence on the outcome of a game that we know is totally out of our control.
We already know everything there is know about our teams but by giving some weight to our own pre-game rituals and superstitions it makes us feel like we are part of a win - and even more so with a Grand Final. It's kind of funny because our opposition fans are probably doing the exact same thing!
So this week, I implore all those superstitious Melbourne Victory supporters out there to have those lucky drinks, wear those lucky items of clothing and to even get lucky. Leave no ritualistic stone unturned in your superstitious quest for Melbourne to come away with that all-important win and of course the associated bragging rights.
And finally. Go Melbourne!
Now where was that lucky ******* ?
