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)
Another Dragons game on the box, so another date with my nemesis. If rugby league is all about rivalries, well, as they say, “it doesn’t get any bigger.”
I’ll cut to chase. What is the story with the Saints fan who holds up the “GST, Great St George Team” sign?
Fair dinkum, it is driving me mad.
The sign was sharp and politically incisive halfway through the year 2000. It is now 2010, surely time to rip up another bed sheet and open up the tin of red paint.
Now, no question on the bloke’s commitment. He is there at every game. I know this because I see him EVERY TIME THEY PAN TO THE CROWD, AND HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.
But lord above, get a new sign.
Did he really feel that strongly about Federal wholesale sales taxes to begin with? Has no political decision moved him in the same way since?
Now, he clearly is one of those great fans that makes signs, but why has he been so incapable of producing another? Are we dealing with some chronic case of writer’s block?
I should add, I love signs. “Me So Hornby”is my personal favourite at present.
But they need impact, otherwise they have all the humour of bumper sticker on your own car that you’ve seen every day for the last ten years. Only The Footy Show believes a gag can last that long.
Also, watching the match from the vantage point of the sign holders is certainly a unique experience and one I always expose to visiting relatives. That does cause some friction when I’ve spent the last hour or so explaining the rules and the sign holders are using a, shall we say, different interpretation.
But it’s all good fun, so long as no direct eye contact is made.
If all that seems like an odd way to preview a round, it is, because there is no way I’m making any bold predictions on a round in which I can’t confidently predict a single winner.
Next week: Why did Phil Gould repeat a Katie Perry song virtually word for word in his season preview on the Panthers?
The mental imagery still haunts me.
Mark Young
Guest
GST on TV again last friday night! When the Tiges play the Saints I am thinking of going just to track him down and ask him about his sign!
Stapes
Guest
It's a shame the author is so thin skinned when giving criticism but not taking it... Long live the GST sign!! PS: Has anyone ever told you that you bear a passing resemblance to Fred West??
Mark Young
Guest
I saw it again tonight Steve! You are right, it has been there for the last 10 freaking years!!!! Love 'Me so Hornby'
oikee
Guest
Watch out for the flags this weekend. Nobody does it better than ST George.
The man
Guest
I think the fans dedication to the team - and the cause of indirect tax reform should be appauled. I am sure Ken Henry would love to be able to recruit similar tax postive banner holders at all the competitions grounds for the roll out of the tax review I also think Saints fans are not alone in not updating there banners - perhaps they are just more visible due to saturation Ch 9 coverage of late - the "El Magic" banner had the same shelf life as the Lockyer banner above. I also have no doubt that there is a Bears fan out there who waiting for the day when he can unfurl the "Fear of a Red and Black Planet" banner again in homage to Public Enemy album of the early 90s. At the moment I am partial to: Get out of my Weyman
oikee
Guest
State of origin game 2 tickets went on sale yesterday. 52,500 tickets sold in less than a hour. :)
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Update for the climate change debate: ETS - Exciting Team St George ETS - Extreme Tackling Style The economy: GFC - Great Football Club etc
Brett McKay
Guest
Phil Gould kissed a girl and liked it??
M1tch
Roar Guru
I love the GST sign, i wish the phantom siren would make a return too
oikee
Guest
Yes, while on the subject, we have one at the broncos games, King Locky. I think it is 16 seasons old, who would have thought it was spot on. :) Dont give up on the GST sign just yet Steve. If the economy ever makes a move into the black, we might once again enjoy this almost now forgotten past of political history. Plus it shows great loyalty to your club. ;)