A quick hypothetical for you if I may?

Just for a moment imagine you’ve been a diehard supporter of your footy team for…I don’t know…say sixty years?

Your devotion runs so deep that your daily mental state is solely dependent on the fortunes of this team. You love this club as much as your partner and kids.

So would you walk away at ¾ time when your beloved team is losing by forty six points?

This was the scenario I faced at Marvel Stadium last Sunday. I’d only marched out once before and it was the most insipid game of footy I’ve ever seen. Saints v North Easter Friday 2018. I almost had bile in my throat it was that bad.

On Sunday it was simply the lack of effort. I’ve never cared about winning or losing as a player, coach or fan. I just want to see effort and we were poor for three quarters.

I said goodbye to my Saints neighbours feeling dirty and in need of a shower.

I put my headphones on and tuned into the ABC. First it was a Higgins goal greeted with minimal applause as if the fans were clockwatching to get to their own train.

Then it was another goal followed by another and the reception from the fans increased proportionally. By the time I was seated in the Ballarat train I couldn’t fathom what was about to happen.

There were some other ‘deserters’ in the carriage who were also glued to the radio and were hooting and hollering up and down the aisle when the siren went and Nas nailed the sealer.

Suddenly both my daughters rang to share their joy and were appalled when I told them I had left early, then I was bombarded with texts from friends happy for me but disgusted with my ¾ time exit.

If you haven’t seen the last couple of minutes, this final quarter effort has been considered by other Saints ‘tragics’ to be the most exciting thirty minutes they have seen at Marvel. I’ve attached it below.

There were so many heroic efforts in that quarter from across the team not just Nasiah, but it is as if he is now the chosen one. We probably haven’t had a generational player since Plugger, someone who you pay good money to see. (apologies to Rooey, Harves and Lenny)

Waiting to get Nas’s signature at the moment is painstaking for us faithful.

His kicking skills are sublime and he’s not alone.

Youngsters like Nas, Nick Daicos, Grian Myers, Finn Callaghan and now Murphy Reid have developed their skills to suit the modern game.

To find targets through the walls of opponents they face each week requires deft talent and courage. They are breaking down the flood with amazing speed and trajectory of their kicks.

Anyway, I watched the last quarter three times when I got home but it couldn’t wipe the grime of guilt from my person. Never again. Forgive me Saints and my neighbours at Marvel.