It makes long periods without wins tough for the die hard supporters who turn out each week.

But when those wins do come it adds a bit of excitement and joy to a supporter’s life for the next week.

That is why it would have brought a smile to the face of many an Ararat fan when the senior Rats broke through for their first win in 2016.

It has been a tough start to the year for the club – decimated by injuries  – they battled through the first six rounds without a win.

Some of the losses were close as well and included a 12-point loss to Nhill and 15-point loss to Warrack Eagles.

Still the win on Saturday against Dimboola, made even sweeter by the emphatic 78-point margin, will provide a bit of excitement for everyone at the club.

It will also provide a bit of confidence for all the Ararat supporters who have been waiting for a win.

That winless period can be tough for all involved.

Just ask Dimboola, which has now slumped to seven straight losses and sits last on the ladder. Roos players and supporters must be looking everywhere for a solution.

However they won’t have to look to far to see that there is always a win ahead somewhere.

Just as the Rats broke their run of losses, so have a number of AFL clubs turned their form around.

This Carlton supporter is one footy fan who has an extra spring in his step off the back of an unprecedented and unpredictable four-straight wins.

After three years of mediocrity the Blues finally strung some good form together.

More than the happiness it brings each week it also brings a sense of optimism that anything is possible on the footy field.

With Carlton playing an undefeated North Melbourne on Saturday many Blues fans will head to the game with a misguided belief they are a chance.

Four wins on the trot will convince any fan that it is possible.

In some ways the Rats face a similarly tough assignment. They take on a Horsham Demons side that has lost just one game in 2016. But with a win behind them renewing confidence there is no doubt many fans will head to Horsham City Oval feeling good about their side.