AFL Story | Nick Daicos

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"We won!" Nick FaceTimed me in the jubilant locker room. The fluorescent lights overhead glinted off the sweat-drenched faces of triumphant athletes. I could hear the roar of the celebrating crowd in the background. "I know! You played so well!" I smiled, capturing the moment on my phone as I looked at how happy Nick was. The scent of victory and the echoes of joy surrounded us.

"One point, Mads, just one point!" Nick exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. His eyes shone with the exhilaration of the game's last-minute victory. It was a moment etched into our memories forever.

Moments later, the cacophony of the locker room was replaced by the hushed tones of a post-game interview. "Here we have Nick Daicos, on the phone—sorry, Nick, but how are you feeling right now?" the interviewer inquired. Nick, still catching his breath from the intense match, took a moment to compose himself. "Oh, wow, it's amazing," he finally replied, his words laced with gratitude and disbelief. The interviewer was BT, as he stuck his head in the frame to ask who this was.

Nick tilted the phone a bit. "This is my girlfriend, Madison," Nick introduced me with a smile. BT, a seasoned sports commentator, turned to me with a friendly demeanor. "Hi, Madison, how do you feel about tonight's game? Did Nick play well?" I took a deep breath, trying to hide my nervousness. "Hey, um, yeah, really good game. I'm so happy for the boys, and Nick played exceptionally well," I replied, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach.

The next day at the Gabba, the anticipation was palpable. We took our seats, surrounded by fans clad in team colors, eagerly awaiting the game. Celine expressed her anxiety about the upcoming match. "If we lose, we're flying back straight away," she stated firmly, her eyes fixed on the pristine field. "Alright, start booking from now," Mia added, her voice trembling with nervous energy. Gigi wondered aloud, "How would you even get tickets?" Celine began to explain, but my attention was drawn to the expansive stadium and the vibrant atmosphere.

As the game began, I felt my heart race with each thrilling play and every near-miss. The tension was unbearable. I was so nervous that I could hardly sit still, my fingers constantly fidgeting with the edge of my seat. The cheers and groans of the crowd mirrored my own emotions, and I found myself completely absorbed in the game.

After the game (a rollercoaster of emotions that I won't write out in full detail), I had tears in my eyes as the Brisbane team's victory song blasted through our ears. The euphoria of the win was mixed with the sting of defeat, but I couldn't help but admire the resilience of the players.

"Is everyone packed?" Celine wiped her eyes, her voice quivering. Her question brought me back to the present moment, and I realized that our unforgettable journey was coming to an end.

Celine stuck by her word when she said we were flying back immediately. As the plane took off, I gazed out of the window at the lights of the city below, a bittersweet feeling washing over me. "On the bright side, we at least made prelims," Gigi shrugged, trying to inject some optimism into the atmosphere. Celine, still visibly affected by the game's outcome, anxiously gripped her seat.

"That game was so fu—fun," Mia stopped herself from uttering a profanity as she noticed a little kid in the seat across the aisle, wide-eyed and innocent. We all laughed, the tension finally giving way to a sense of camaraderie. The plane's engines hummed in the background as we settled in for the flight home.

Finally, back in my own bed after unpacking and showering, I reflected on the whirlwind of emotions that had accompanied this unforgettable trip. Victory and defeat, elation and heartache—it had all been part of the rollercoaster ride that was supporting our team through thick and thin. As I closed my eyes, I couldn't help but smile, grateful for the bonds of friendship that had been strengthened along the way.

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hey guys
so um we don't talk ab todays game i had water in my eyes but they weren't tears so I did but didn't cry twice and I lit was so upset like i acc CANT I wanted it for the boys n for us to enjoy but pies def winning lions next week brizzy i reckon wont do that well at the same time maybe idk but we js went in too strong so hopefully next yr but um yeah

have a good one