MITCHELL JOHNSON: Andrew Ettingshausen inspired my love for rugby league as Cowboys took over Townsville

Footy season isn’t too far away and we are seeing pre-season matches in full flight.

Now, I didn’t grow up in an AFL footy town or city; I grew up in a rugby league town in Queensland.

However, one thing I’ve noticed is the same hype that surrounds footy when the season is just around the corner.

Listening to the radio or hearing conversations at my local coffee shop, seeing kids dressing up in their favourite team jerseys or footy shorts, kicking a footy around, you can feel the excitement about AFL not being far away, along with discussions about who might make it into the top eight and so on.

Growing up in Townsville, I can definitely relate to the excitement of footy season.

Back then, rugby league — often also just called “footy” — felt like the only game that mattered, and the hype was electric.

We didn’t have a local team initially in the NRL, so many followed the Brisbane Broncos. However, not everyone was onboard with the big city team.

“Footy” was super popular in Townsville, with countless kids playing the game at school or down at the park or for the local clubs and rep sides but it wasn’t until the NRL introduced the North Queensland Cowboys that it really grew the game, and I even remember one of the high schools having a footy scholarship program to encourage the next generation of Cowboys stars.

It was a fantastic initiative that not only provided opportunities for talented kids but also fostered a deeper love for the game in the community. With the Cowboys shining on the NRL stage, more and more young players aspired to follow in their footsteps.

It was inspiring to see the local talent getting recognition and support while being part of such a dynamic sporting culture. These programs show how far-reaching the impact of a successful team can be, nurturing future athletes and fuelling the passion for footy throughout the region.

The support for the team was immense, and being based in Townsville, they rallied fans from all over North Queensland.

The buzz around town and throughout the region was fantastic for the community, and it really brought everyone together in support of the Cowboys.

I definitely feel that same excitement and community spirit when it comes to AFL footy. It’s thrilling to see a city or town buzzing because their team is looking strong, following there ever move through the off-season.

When I first moved to Perth, the question about which team I follow felt like a big deal — just like it does in the NRL over on the east coast.

It makes me think back to my childhood and who I followed early on.

Personally, I had a soft spot for the Cronulla Sharks. I remember seeing them play at our athletics ground in what I believe was a pre-season or exhibition match.

Andrew Ettingshausen, or ET as everyone called him, was lightning-fast, and I loved watching him play. Plus, the Shark mascot just added to the excitement.

Growing up without a local team makes you think about how you choose your allegiance.

In Queensland, with Brisbane as the only team back in the day, a lot of folks from the country weren’t necessarily keen on supporting a big city team. Family and friend influences played a huge role, too as it does in the AFL.

In my case, we had a family member who supported the Sharks, and seeing players like ET in action really made me gravitate towards them. It’s funny sitting here writing this and thinking of all the sports I’ve followed and how I came to those decisions. Was it all purely based on where I lived or where I grew up?

Individual players can certainly have an impact on that but I think mostly it’s where you come from.

While I will support the Cowboy’s and West Coast being north of the river, I’m not a true supporter. What I mean by that is, I won’t set an alarm to watch my team or dress up in all the gear, go to all the home games etc. but I do still love watching sport, competitive sports when teams are going at it in a contest. The enjoyment I get from that is exciting. Watching sporting teams tactically go against each other and physically too.

It’s fantastic for young kids to witness all the excitement sports bring; they can really feel the built up of a season, the highs and lows of a season too.

As fans and parents, we have a wonderful opportunity to show the next generation how to support their favourite teams.

I love seeing packed stadiums full of families decked out in their team colours, and there’s always that one kid in their favourite jersey that isn’t the same as their mum, dad or sibling, adding to the fun with some lighthearted banter.

And of course, I want the West Coast Eagles to come out on top to give those Eastern-Staters something to think about. All in all, the anticipation and build up to this season is exciting and many just can’t wait.