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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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