Friday night was for the hurt and the hopeful.

There were those who still felt the sting of the previous Friday night and those who knew it to be an aberration rather than a fatal flaw.

Many say football is 90 percent above the shoulders, and as the criticism piled on during the week and the enormity of the task at hand was laid clear, you could be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief.

A freedom can be obtained through a removal of expectation. Avoiding elimination is a much more straightforward task than qualifying as expected.

Supporters place their hope and love in their teams and betrayal and heartbreak knows neither minimum nor maximum.

Some things needed changing and the successful implementation of said changes would be clear early on in the game.

To a supporter there were simple things that brought comfort. Things as simple as seeing the players in the blue shorts traditionally an indication of being the “home” side.

The banner’s message summed up the night for everyone at the Cats including the fan base. 

PRIDE IN THE JUMPER

A CHANCE TO REDEEM

LET’S PLAY WITH HUNGER

& CONTINUE THE DREAM

What was required was provided. From the coaches box to the players there was purpose and synergy. The previous week’s inadequacies were this week’s assets.

When the final siren rang, pride had been restored. Pride being this playing group’s measure above all else.

So what now?

Well that’s simple.

Why not us?

This playing group is human. They are just like us. There is the good and the bad. But if the good shines through there is no stopping them.

Let’s enjoy what is to come. Let’s be Geelong and proud. And let’s never stop thinking… why not us? Let’s continue the dream.