Maybe silly question but I'd be fascinated how other approach our players for a chat. Personally I don't do it, not out of being righteous but probably out of fear of being blown off and having a negative experience with someone I've loved following and supporting.
Do you introduce yourself as a Tiger member? Do you talk footy or other interests eg: Toms racehorse. Be interested in how others strike up a chat.
Not a silly question
Firstly I have being doing player sponsorship for nearly 20 years now. It is not a coterie thing despite what some think. Anyone can do it. My first one was given to me as a birthday gift. I've kept it up since then.
One of the benefits is we get an annual dinner with the players. You get to sit down with your player and that's how the chats start. Personally I don't talk footy, prefer to talk about things outside footy. But that's me. Others people just talk footy to them. Some players are exceptionally friendly, others are introverts and incredibly shy. Then there are a few that are just rude. Fortunately, I've been very lucky and have had great blokes that I've sponsored.
BTW I don't sponsor Tom Lynch.
So Friday night he happened to be sitting about 3 seats to my left with his folks. He is at most AFLW games to watch his sister. I've spoken to him before at AFLW games, hes very approachable. Anyway he needed to go past me to get back to his seat so I just asked how much longer he'd be in the infamous moonboot for. He answered about 2 more weeks and he was looking forward to getting out of it. I asked about the 2nd surgery and he went through what was involved in that. We then joked about him not being able to get back on the golf course for a while yet
And funny story about players. Friend of mine was on the same flight back to Melbourne after the Port game with the players. They were sitting in their seat when a voice says "excuse me please ". They look up and it's Dusty. My friend is normally a chatter but was completely tongue tied when the great man spoke
