Collingwood has an extraordinary ability to bring together people from every walk of life. Age, occupation, background and circumstance disappear the moment we pull on the black and white. Complete strangers become lifelong friends, united by a shared passion and unwavering belief. Collingwood has given me more than exciting wins and unforgettable moments: it has given me belonging. It has connected generations of my family, created friendships, and provided a place where everyone is welcome as long as they share the same passion.

My greatest memory of Collingwood would be going with my children to the Adelaide Oval in 2023 to watch the Pies take on Port Adelaide. There was a huge presence of magpie supporters. The game was unreal and went back-and-forth with goals, Jamie Elliott slotted a brilliant goal from the boundary and the Pies getting over the line for the win. But the walk back to the Adelaide city was something else, walking through the train tunnel and with the Collingwood supporters with that huge Collingwoooooooood chant bellowing was just unreal. but to share all of that with my children was simply the best.

Born into Collingwood at born after my father Alan, he took me to my first game when I was 4. I'm now 36 years old and a 30 year member. The bond we share supporting Collingwood is unbreakable even now when I've moved interstate. The memory that always sits with me is attending the 2023 Grand Final together. Our first premiership together in the flesh. He suffered a heart attack in September 2010 and couldn't attend the 2010 Grand Final with me. 2018 was our first Grand Final we attended together and we thought that would finally be our moment together but sadly we were left waiting. Dad had been to so many of our losing Grand Finals growing up and spent the 1990 Premiership at home with me as a one year old. As he was starting to reach his 70s I thought a premiership together might evade us but fortunately 2023 was our moment and it is something we'll both never forget. The embrace and tears on the final siren, a culmination of years of magic moments together, finally reaching the pinnacle together.