I may not look much like a typical Port supporter, but if you cut me I would bleed black and white (with a bit of teal). The condition is hereditary and it's a trait I intend to pass along to my sons, because, for better or worse, being a 'true believer' teaches you some valuable life lessons, along with some pretty choice words for umpires. 

Here's what being a Port Supporter has taught me about life.

We are all the same

In the eyes of the football gods everyone is equal. Never has that been more poignant than this week, watching all footy supporters rally to stamp out racism. Watching a footy match somehow makes the normal divisions of society evaporate. We all come to the same place for the same goal. I've been known to high-five and hug strangers during a close win - or better yet, a final - and there's nothing like the morose solidarity of 40 thousand footy fans filing out of the outer after a loss. It teaches you that no matter who you are or where you come from, the highs and lows of life affect us all.

Loyalty

I have never wavered in my support for the club (except for that one time in High School I fancied Wayne Carey and so went for North Melbourne) and have sat through some truly terrible moments. You may think that woeful 2007 Grand Final performance would be the worst, but sitting in the rain at Footy Park (next to those infamous tarps) while we became the first team to lose to the Gold Coast was truly the low point. But, us true believers never leave before the final siren because we know that, just as in life, enduring the bad times makes the good times that much sweeter.

Not everyone will like you

Being a Port supporter is polarising. People will either love you or judge you for it. I accepted this early in life, and it's a lesson that's served me well. It helps weed out your true mates, those who'll stand up with you to tell off the drunken lout getting lippy in the cheap seats ... and not flinch a muscle when you start swearing like a sailor at a charity free kick.

Family

Williams. Ebert. Burgoyne. Cornes (sorry Graham). Port knows better than most that blood is thicker than water. And a club with those kinds of dynasties has taught us plenty about the value of family. Footy has always been the one constant in mine. Through births, deaths and divorce, we all still sit together and it's rare that we'd miss a home game. And just like the 'brothers' on the field, come after one, you come after all of us. Now that my husband works for the club, it really is family. 

Be accountable

Port supporters are just as likely to turn on one of their own players as to hurl profanities at the opposition. You own up to your mistakes and you make it right. No use blaming the umpires, or anyone else for that matter. Just do better.

Never Ever Give Up

Ok, so I know this is the actual team slogan, but it's bloody true. You get hit, you get back up. You lose, you play again next week. You keep fighting until the season's over. My Nanna, was the ultimate one-eyed Port supporter, even a bout of bowel cancer couldn't stop her going to a game. It's that kind of dogged resilience that becomes ingrained in every die hard Port fan, who've watched their team comeback time and again for an after the siren win. And even if the kick doesn't go through, we'll be back next week.

So even though it's been a bleak season for a Port supporter, I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for the good times boys, see you again next season.

Hayley McDonald is a journalist and blogs at motherzen.net.