It seems that fans have become all powerful in the past decade. Whether it’s science fiction, manga or sports, fandom has grown into a normal mainstream activity. This may be due to the growth of social media, smartphones and ever-present Wi-Fi zones that keeps fans constantly plugged in. But for hard-core AFL footy tipping punters and tipsters, this is nothing new. You’ve been at this since the beginning and long before it was popular.

If it has become easier to follow scores and tips on the go, it’s becoming even more obvious that some people are taking it a bit too far. The problem is, with everyone on his or her smartphone all the time, it’s becoming more and more difficult to tell the obsessed fans and the mere enthusiasts apart. Obsession is one part madness and one part good intention, so the line is sometimes hard to find. A spider may seem obsessed with catching a fly, but that doesn’t mean they would sacrifice their life in pursuit of it like some 8-legged Captain Ahab. If you’re concerned that your AFL footy tipping may be turning into an addiction, pay attention for these signs that you’ve taken your hobby too far.

Is All Well On The Home Front?

You may think having home field advantage would make you safe, but just like any other problem in our lives, a footy tipping addiction will evidence itself where we live. Is your home tidy? Is it in need of repair? Do you have food in the fridge? If you do, then you’re not too bad off. A sign that your life is falling into disarray is having a home that is unliveable. Friends don’t visit. Your partner complains about having to live with you. The Premiership Final is important, but so is taking out the garbage – and certainly, if you are investing more money into your obsession than the rewards merit, you are falling into the gambling pit.

There’s Always A Reason Why You Can’t Stop Now

”I can’t stop now,” you say. “The Golden Slipper is coming up. The AFL footy tipping season is about to open. There’s a new draft soon, a playoff game this weekend.”

If you truly have a tipping problem, then you’ll be unable to stop. There will always be something to make you say “just one more,” to stay plugged into the stats night and day. Unless you’re a sports analyst, a news reporter or a professional tipping blogger, there’s really no reason to believe that you must always be “plugged in” to current events.

Are Your Friends Interested In Your Knowledge Of Stats?

Were you aware that the Adelaide Crows owned a total of 297 goals in the 2013 season? Were you aware that not everyone shares your interest in that detail? A classic sign of obsession is being unable to direct your attention anywhere other than the object of your obsession. If you eat, breathe, sleep, and talk sports statistics, if you are incapable of having a ten-minute conversation without steering the topic toward sports stats, you may have a problem.

Your Browser Bookmarks Betray You

Check your bookmarks right now. What percentage of them is dedicated to AFL footy tipping sites? How many more are sports-driven? How many RSS feeds do you have coming in from AFL blog sites? If the number is above 33 per cent, consider unplugging for a while. Invite someone on a date.

Your browser history will also tattle on you. Look at your history and see where you’ve been in the past six months or so. This will give you a picture of how you’ve been spending your time online, which will reveal a lot about your tipping behaviour.

You Feel Withdrawal When You’re Not Involved

Following and absorbing professional sports can be like taking a narcotic, and it may soon become a bad habit that causes pain when you try to punt it. Sure, we all deserve distraction and escape from the drudgery of our everyday lives. But you can easily change your habits by altering the thing that distracts you. If your emotions are all wrapped up in a game or a team, you should diversify your interests. Staying busy with a good book, a new hobby or your favourite television series will take your mind off footy tipping and help you to avoid falling into a pit of obsession.

AFL footy tipping is a fun pastime for many and a way of life for some, but you don’t need to become obsessed with it in order to enjoy it. Sports are wonderful, but they are only one activity, one interest. Footy tipping does not need to be your entire life. If AFL footy tipping is ruining your relationships or if you can’t seem to stop your involvement in tipping, it’s time to take a break. The tipping comps will still be there when you decide to return.