New season is here, with the same complaints
Roar Guru
By Steve Kaless, 12 Mar 2010 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- NRL, Parramatta Eels, Rugby League
Jarryd Hayne in action during the Week 3 Playoff NRL match between the Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.The Eels beat the Bulldogs 22 - 12. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox
There is an odd peace about the final day before the season begins. Your team is undefeated, you’re buoyed by the talk of the toughest preseason ever and heartened by that young player you’ve admired for a while getting a start while the big new signing claims he is loving it and is raring to go.
On a personal note, you stand equal first in the tipping, your fantasy league team still looks like world beaters and you are yet to have a single argument around regarding your team’s playing schedule and the social engagements your partner wants to attend as a couple.
Enjoy the peace while it lasts, most clubs outside of Newcastle have enjoyed a fairly incident free off-season as clubs went on a community driven charm offensive. If you live in the same area as a rugby league team the only danger the players posed was snatching your kids for yet another photo for the club newsletter.
No wonder Tony Abbott has styled himself as a fitness fanatic, he’ll need to be to match all the NRL players shaking hands and kissing babies at shopping centres this season.
But no matter what happens this weekend, the complaints on Monday will mark the start of the season proper.
The referees will not be up to scratch, an early penalty will have turn the game before a side is belted by 30 points. Fans will demand his head.
Crowds will infuriate fans who are forced to queue with other members of public while a particularly upset Souths fan will complain that they were not able to simply stroll into the Rabbitohs game five minutes before kick off unlike the glory days of George Piggins. This is the fault of Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
Meanwhile, a working father will bitterly resent the cost of buying five pies for his morbidly obese 10 year old. SPOILER ALERT: Food purchased at sporting grounds tends to be more expensive than similar products sold at supermarkets, it is also unlikely to be award winning in terms of quality. Fans should also be aware that it is not compulsory to purchase said items.
Some fans may also resent the new ‘form hugging’ replica jerseys for not showing more sympathy for their sedentary lifestyle.
Constant complaining is indeed the life blood for so many fans. The routine is for the matches to provide cherished escape and enjoyment while they are on, and when they aren’t it is your duty to moan about the moronic mercenaries wearing your club’s colours and the boofheads running the game.
Listening to talkback radio, I welcome the first caller proclaiming he’ll “never attend another match” like some welcome the first day of spring.
It means the rugby league season has well and truly arrived. Bring it on.
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- Explore:
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Mr Real Australian Football Man formerly known as Kurt said | March 12th 2010 @ 5:54am | Report comment
“Meanwhile, a working father will bitterly resent the cost of buying five pies for his morbidly obese 10 year old. SPOILER ALERT: Food purchased at sporting grounds tends to be more expensive than similar products sold at supermarkets, it is also unlikely to be award winning in terms of quality. Fans should also be aware that it is not compulsory to purchase said items.”
Brilliant, love it!
oikee said | March 12th 2010 @ 6:56am | Report comment
AGO74 said | March 12th 2010 @ 8:47am | Report comment
“Some fans may also resent the new ‘form hugging’ replica jerseys for not showing more sympathy for their sedentary lifestyle.”
Jarrad Hickey and the like may have some views on figure-hugging jerseys as well!
Top article Steve. Bring on the footy tonight!
Dogz R Barkn said | March 12th 2010 @ 10:42am | Report comment
Yes good article – we’ve been hearing about the costs of pies at the footy for decades, and yet people persist in buying them!!
AndyRoo said | March 12th 2010 @ 11:07am | Report comment
It’s a ripple effect Dogzz, it only takes one novice parent to buy his kid some over priced chips and then all kids in that bay will be asking for theirs.
Moves faster around the stadium than the Mexican wave
Dogs Of War said | March 12th 2010 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
The Dogs have Villi’s pies, I have no problems forking out cash for quality pies.
RickG said | March 12th 2010 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Yep, I’m looking forward to this season much mor than in the past. Not sure why but I think I’ll just run with it and not think about it too much.
Re the cost of food and drink – when I take my boys (3 and 4 yrs old, maybe I’ll wait until next year!) I’ll be bringing the esky:)
The man said | March 12th 2010 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Blow that whistle ref.
Jim said | March 12th 2010 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
I can’t wait to scream “his been doing it all day ref” or “open your eyes” in the first couple of minutes after kick off.
another complaint that we hear every year is coaches playing players in the wrong position, or demand that they should drop players because some fringe first grader could do a better job.
so keen for this season : )
Mick from Giralang said | March 12th 2010 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
Demands for a coach to be sacked….I give it no more than three rounds.
Steve Kaless said | March 12th 2010 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
Great shout Mick, I think they’ve already started on Ivan Cleary. The warriors will probably do something really smart and sack him after two matches.
Chris K said | March 12th 2010 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
I give two rounds until complaints about the two refs system
Jim said | March 12th 2010 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
golden point doesn’t take too long either, within eight rounds.
will this work day ever end so the footy can start : (