Sausages and hamburgers on the barbecue for lunch, some sausage rolls and chips at half time.

“Just the usual,” he said.

Mr Pickering – who has lived in Launceston his entire life – might be a passionate Collingwood supporter now, but the Magpies weren’t always his team.

Not wanting to foster too much rivalry close to home, the switch was made.

“There was the Sydney Swans before that,” he said.

“My family went for Collingwood though, so it made sense.”

The decision certainly stuck, and he now counts 30 proud years backing the black and white. 

So when his team came up against Greater Western Sydney a fortnight ago, he had to be there.

“When Collingwood lost to West Coast, I said ‘we’ve gotta go’.”

However, that love of Collingwood isn’t quite shared by the whole family.

Harry, 8, is an avid Kangaroos fan, while Lucy, 5, barracks for Richmond.

“They do go for other teams, but I’m trying to convert them,” Mr Pickering said.

After the Magpies’ loss on Saturday that job might be even harder, but he doesn’t mind.

“I’m not convinced they want to change, and that’s okay I guess.”

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