But anyway, that's not why I'm back.
Something quite magical is happening in NRL land and if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I'd never believe these unlikeliest of sources, mortal enemies if you will, were behind it all.
It's a story that deserves telling.
So gather round the campfire folks ... Uncle CK has a story to tell.
In a time before Facebook Groups, there were 'forums'. Groups of otherwise socially-awkward online users we'd call 'posters', who would exchange 'text' only on any given topic. You might remember them. You may have even signed up to one. They still exist. Me personally, I've been on heaps, but mostly I've been a nuisance at a rugby league forum for years called The Kennel. And it's here where our tale begins ...
You have to understand that The Kennel is not everybodies cup-of-tea. Hardcore rusted-on Canterbury Bulldogs fans, behind closed doors, behind the curtains, bunkererd down in bedrooms, workplaces and in public on mobile phones. We're talking hundreds, sometimes thousands at a time.
That website, has been going 10 years, and has been at (or directly in) the epicentre of some of the biggest scandals the Bulldogs have endured. It's evolved to be a living breathing beast with it's own pulse and feeding times.
Amid the chaos, the trolls, the bantz, the opposition noobs playing knock-and-run, the anger, the permabans, for better or worse there is something truly special about the people on it, and the variety of content I've seen over the years. Moment of wet-your-pants hilarity. Moments of a unified collective for the same cause. Moments of disgust and horror. Oh man, have I seen some crazy shit ...
In recent times, 'mental health' has shifted focus into mainstream culture and from time to time the wider rugby league community will engage the topic. Either through tragedy or annual fundraising initiatives, mental health will be given a worthy spotlight. As a result, this DOES has a trickle down effect of positive intentions. Creating mechanisms for discussion, gives players allowance to disclose personal struggles and hopefully lift spirits of those currently suffering.
Not long ago, The Kennel would be close to the last place I'd suggest you take your personal troubles ... But it seems that trickle effect I mentioned earlier may be working faster than I originally thought.
A thread emerged in early 2015 called "The R U OK? thread" : Various people attached themselves to it and an outpouring of confession ensued. Here we had 'men', openly talking about feelings, fears, regrets and struggles. The thread now retains permanent status atop the forum and acts as a 'last-stop reach-out' service to anyone online right now who is struggling with their mental health, complete with a range of numbers and services for immediate use. - It has been an outrageous success and one of the more amazing events I've seen unfold online.
But it hasn't stopped there .... and here's where we introduce the man of the hour "Assassin".
The man is a constant pest to other fans, has used up all of his 'favours' with the mods and swears more than a sailor's parrot on Red-V if you fire him up.
We've since learned via the RUOK thread that behind the crusty exterior of an otherwise burly Bulldogs fan, is a decent, blue-collar family man, with two beautiful young children. It turns out Eddie has quite the struggle going on ..... A dodgy heart.
He's been struck down by the heart conditions Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Viral Myocarditis. Nothing short of a heart transplant will do. Can't work. Can't study like he used to. Takes enough pills to sink a boat. Life is a daily struggle. And this condition struck him down pretty swiftly.
Floored by the magnitude of the news and the prognosis, various posters leaped into action. Unable to get proper bureaucratic approval for a fundraising event, the fantastic folks at Bulldogs HQ gave anonymous online strangers their blessing and the gates of Belmore were flung open for members of The Kennel to simply come-down, use the BBQ, and if they wish have a run around on the hallowed turf.
At the same time an online fundariser page was created. The BBQ was a fantastic success and within a matter of a couple of weeks, this rag-tag bunch of unknown-to-each-other misfits in Bulldogs colours had raised $9000+.
Just yesterday, what appeared to be another random Parramatta Eels troll entered The Kennel unwittingly to stir the pot prior to our match on Friday. Cheeky bugger even called himself "Sticks and Stones" and waltzed in (as opposition fans do on the forum) to proclaim superiority.
After an hour or so of trading pleasantries, it seems our little forum visitor was from a rival forum called "One Eyed Eel" and heard about Eddie's plight. An immediate donation followed.
But "Sticks" must've been thinking "I'll be damned if that's enough", and took it upon himself to go post the story on the On Eyed Eel forum ... resulting in MORE donations ... FROM EELS FANS !!!!
Just pause to soak this in ... Bulldogs fans online who've largely never met each other, now being assisted by Parramatta fans online who've never met each other, raising funds for an unknown stranger, all under the umbrella of rugby league fandom, with their respective teams opposing each other in 48-72 hours time.
At last check, the total is nearing $13,000.
Just .... WOW !
There's many reasons why this woke me from my blogging slumber. It's too good a story not to share and if you want you can buy a window seat on Eddie's journey at this link right here -> https://www.mycause.com.au/page/105992/eddies-new-heart
The ultimate goal, is for Eddie to get his new heart. And while that task may be out of reach to the majority of us online couch-potatoes, we can certainly help by lightening the load for Eddie and his family.
Thanks for reading.
Go donate a little.
And share this as far and wide as you'd like.