Jamie Soward and Dean Young during the NRL, Round 4, Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday April 3, 2009. Dragons won 25-12. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan)
There are losses, and then there is what happened to the Minnesota Vikings in last weekend’s NFC Championship Game. Vikings fans thought 1998 was horrible, but this puts that to shame.
In 1998, Vikings’ kicker Morten Anderson missed a field goal which would have clinched the game — at least then they got to kick.
This time the Vikings kicker didn’t even get onto the field because Brett Favre was picked off throwing a pass he didn’t need to throw.
The game went into overtime, the Vikings lost the toss, and they didn’t touch the ball again. Although one thinks that had they won the toss they still would have found a way to throw it away.
It raises the question – are some teams destined for heartbreak?
No matter what the sport, you see examples of this, be it the Cronulla Sharks, Western Bulldogs or Chicago Cubs. Why are there some teams that just don’t know how to win?
Often it is the self-belief, or lack thereof, which is the biggest stumbling block. And when the dam breaks, it does so in a big way. This happened with the Queensland Bulls, Sydney Kings and Boston Red Sox.
To be a fan of one of these down-on-its-luck clubs isn’t easy. You are conditioned to disappointment and coming short, but you allow yourselves to think there is something different about them this year.
You start to hope, and with that comes expectation and excitement.
Come the playoffs, an all too predictable and familiar feeling comes back. It all unravels.
And while it’s a different year, it’s the same result.
You don’t need to look any further than St George or St Kilda fans to see this. They would still be feeling the pain of their September fadeouts.
Maybe it would be better for your well-being if you weren’t so connected to the team, but to quote Brokeback Mountain: “I can’t quit you”.
The year it all clicks is the year all the pain and agony becomes worth it. The Sydney Swans fans of 2005, the West Tigers fans of 2005 and the Philadelphia Philles fans of 2008.
As a sports fan, you tie yourself to the fortunes of your team. You allow them to take you on an emotional roller-coaster and there is nothing you can do about it.
What can’t kill you will make you stronger.
Then again, you could always be boring and support Manchester United, the New York Yankees, or the Los Angeles Lakers.
John P.
Guest
The kicker in the Vikings game in '98 was Gary Anderson. And Favre wouldn't needed to make a throw in the first place if they'd just kept track of the number of people on the field... I was cursing at my TV watching that game.
gazz
Roar Pro
Are some teams just destined for heartbreak each season? The Dockers are!!
mcxd
Guest
4 words... New South Wales Waratahs. great on paper. rubbish on the field.
Shodan
Guest
Whats even funnier is that I know someone who supports both Collingwood and St George. Have to hide any ropes and razors at the end of each footy season. I think the Collingwood GF win a few years ago is the only thing that keeps him going.
sheek
Guest
This is a good topic, & I don't know the answer - I guess sporting teams & individuals mimic society. Some people/organisations learn better from their mistakes, & are better at knowing what needs to be done, & how to go about it. Other people/organisations can't/won't learn so are condemned to repeating their failures.
sheek
Guest
And it gets funnier - Collingwood has lost 10 other GF appearances in that time - not to mention a draw, then a replay loss in 1977! But I guess Magpies fans can turn around & say that at least they're been to the 'big day' 12 times, which would be more than most other clubs in that time.
Phil
Guest
Nothing comes close to what the Red Sox went through - having to live through that (especially after the 2003 fiasco) was shocking for me as a mad Sox fan. I know plenty who had to live through 1986 as well and I think i would have probably killed myself if I had to live through that at the time.
Joe FC
Guest
Good read David.
Westcoast929406
Guest
The Dockers have always focused on beating the Eagles particularly in the early years - Their achievment bar has always been set too low. No excuses for them now - They have a big membership and support base - Lots of money - Good facilities at Fremantle Oval - Potentially a good squad - Can Harvey get them up - That is the question. Despite what their supporters say they were never set up properly anyhow by the WAFC. They did not initially harness the potential in that area admin wise and supporter base wise. Fremantle was where the first Aussie Rules clubs were set up way back in 1885 - It was the cradle and first heartland of our game over here. We and many others who were South Fremantle supporters in the WAFL crossed over to the Eagles when John Worsfold and the other South Fremantle players joined them. Having said all that we hate them.
NickF
Guest
One of the best chants at a Cronulla game is "Show us your cabinet"
Dogz R Barkn
Roar Guru
Spain in the World Cup?
Mark Young
Guest
Hah!! I know bugger all about AFL but I know enough to know that this is funny!
Don't forget the Coast!
Guest
There's an AFL team playing in the VFL this year that haven't won a flag either - in fact, they've never even won an AFL game!
Al
Guest
The All Blacks every world cup year, the perennial chokers.
Lazza
Guest
What about the Fremantle Dockers? Despite a draft system, priority picks, an equalisation program, tanking and a socialist league where every team has a theoretical chance to win, they have managed to screw it up ever since they joined the AFL. Port Adelaide joined the league much later and have already won a flag and been a top 2 side for many seasons as well without any help or concessions when they joined. If I didn't hate the Power so much I might even respect that kind of thing. With the Dockers you can only laugh - they now have the honour of being the only AFL team that hasn't won a premiership. There is something seriously wrong with that clubs' culture.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
Bring back Glebe!!!
M1tch
Roar Guru
The Bears will win a premiership before the Sharks ;)
Redb
Roar Guru
If there is one thing that sustains the long suffering fans of St Kildla and the Bulldogs its the knowledge that Collingwood have won only 1 premiership in 50 years. :-)
Redb
Roar Guru
Western Bulldogs have their best chance yet to break a 56 year drought. Big bad bustling Barry Hall up front - this is the year Bullies. Their membership has gone through the roof, first time ever they have sold out all their gold (Grand Final tickets) memberships. Of course the crime rate in Footscray has hit record levels to pay for it. :-) Like to see Cronulla do well for ET. Good article. Redb
M1tch
Roar Guru
lol good article, the Saints in both NRL and AFL certainly have some bad luch, the Eels have lost 2 grand finals and somehow lost a prelim final during the noughties.