As far as bandwagons go, the Olympics are hard to top. Grown men in pubs are getting into shouting matches over rhythmic gymnastics, and school kids discuss the country Djibouti without laughing.
Yep, it would take something pretty big to overtake the five-ring circus for its number of instantaneous supporters. Perhaps something red, green, and covered in scary neck tattoos?
I am of course talking about the South Sydney Rabbitohs, or to be more specific, the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a winning side.
Because while the Olympics might base their appeal on only popping up every four years, emotionally scarred Rabbitohs fans will tell you successful Souths seasons might arrive every fifth Olympics.
Now, perhaps that’s being too harsh. After all, Souths’ ancient history of excellence is well known in rugby league circles, despite narky Roosters officials banning their banner reminding everyone of the fact they do indeed hold the record for most premierships.
But history also shows though that since 1989, South Sydney football teams have not, on the whole, been very good. Not very good in the way that Eric the Eel Moussambani would not be a very good bloke to have sitting in the lifeguard tower at Bondi on Christmas Day.
Sure there have been a few brief moments of reasonableness during these dark ages. The 1994 Tooheys challenge. Finishing seventh in 2007. Eion Crossan’s hair-do. Well, yeah, that’s pretty much it.
To all of a sudden have South Sydney not just being competitive, but dishing out methodical, merciless drubbings of opposition teams, is like waking up one morning to find Prime Minister Paul Vautin presenting the Australian of the Year Award to Julian O’Neil. This is Sliders stuff.
Souths doing well not only throws a unique spin on the NRL, it threatens to tear at the fabric of Australian sport as we know it. There are rugby league supporters who have been born, finished school, got a job, whacked on 50kg and given up on life without ever having known anything above average South Sydney sides.
Entire movements have been built around neutral fans laughing out loud, as the younger generation would say, at South Sydney’s destiny to fail, so ingrained has it become in the club’s DNA.
It is difficult to find a team who has just plain sucked for as long as Souths before suddenly coming good, with the closest thing in recent memory being the AFL’s Sydney Swans rising from old lady knitting social club to contenders in 1996.
If the case of fat Tony and co have shown us anything, it’s that a red and green tsunami is heading our way, and if you listen carefully you can already hear the quiet rumble of confidence quickly becoming a roar. Whispers on talkback radio. Smokey ex-players chirping to the media. Little white rabbit stickers staring back at you from car windows.
A bandwagon the likes of which the game has never seen is forming, and like Greg Inglis five metres out from your try line, there isn’t anything anyone can do to stop it.
Best the rest of us get used to it too. Because unlike the Olympics and their overnight equestrian experts, the winning South Sydney side appear to plan on sticking around for a while.
Follow Chris on Twitter: @Vic_Arious
HBG
Guest
I just saw this. Eion's a friend of mine. Top bloke (for a kiwi).
Lachy...born n bred
Guest
Nothing better than Souths , beating the Chooks and the Dragons , sure the GF would be a mighty achievement but being in the shadows of powerhouse teams of the past and present any thing can happen after all its a game .During our former years of sufference beating those two teams was our grand final .On our way to victory , some really good things happening on and off field ..
Adam Everitt
Guest
You would say that :)
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Pro Tip: Park at Concord West train station and do the walk through Bi-Centennial park which is a lovely walk at any time, and pretty well lit. Takes about 20mins to get to the stadium. It's quicker than getting out of the Car Park etc and saves you $12 (I thought parking was now $20, haven't parked in the stadium for ages). Also a nice hamburger etc from the 2 take aways at Concord West station shops, which are much cheaper, always good to grab a traveller from the bottle shop as well so you don't really need to have many beers at the game.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Don't throw it away, put it on the Bulldogs!
Adam Everitt
Guest
I'm a Bunnies fan from the UK - I actually have an old Smith's Crisps shirt, which I love. This is fantastic for the club and the supporters. I am opening up an online gambling account today and sticking some Money on the Bunnies!
League_coach101
Roar Pro
One thing to say.... can everyone please stop talking up the Rabbitohs... not because i'm not fan... but because you're damn well going to jinx the thing! So from Phil Gould down.... can we all please SETTLE DOWN.... and wait till September.
Chris Chard
Expert
(sigh) probably not, but hope this helps chase the blue(bag)s away Apaway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqnH1VGTUdE
Chris Chard
Expert
Excellent work BA, it's true, there's always one wascally wabbit getting around! I tell you...they're out there...they've just been waiting...soon
Chris Chard
Expert
Ha ha sorry DM, didn't want to name names...
yewonk
Guest
dogs and bunnies gf will be the best thing for the cometition since before the the war.
Todd Slater
Guest
As a member of the bunnies i'll be happy to finish in the top 4. Then a whole new competition starts. This weekend will be a big test as i think the Gold Coast Muddies (my term for them) will win in to the semis & the last game against Newcastle up there will be big too. As long as the team keeps improving & winning there is hope. I don't take any notice of Gould & haven't for years. As far as i'm concerned he is a boil on the arse of the game that needs to be lanced. He is like a Groper - 'all mouth & no guts' & an ego to match his mouth. I agree with the bloke who said the '86 side was good. It was, despite Gould playing in it & Steve Mavin. It was as good a forward pack as they've ever had, although i would have loved to see Charlie Frith & the Rampling brothers still playing. As for Hasler's kennel at Belmore this year, the song 'We'll meet again' springs to mind ! Go the cardinal & myrtle.
B.A Sports
Guest
There is actually a game you can play whenever you are watching a non-Souths game on TV. Its like "Where's Wally" but its "Where's the Bunny" where you have to spot the Rabbitohs jersey in the crowd at a game not involving Souths. Seriously I spot one at every game!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm not a Souths fan champ.
The Barry
Roar Guru
$12 for parking $32 for general admission tix $31 for two horrible hamburgers, cold, soggy chips and two small OJs. $5 for a packet of twisties at half time $7 for a beer for dad I also spent $25 on a dogs polo shirt for him earlier in the day. Evening at the footy with your first born: priceless
Darren McFarlane
Guest
"There are rugby league supporters who have been born, finished school, got a job, whacked on 50kg and given up on life without ever having known anything above average South Sydney sides."......Have we met?
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
Count this Souths fan as someone who hates the Heat (in fact I broke my TV when they beat the Celtics in game 7)
john
Guest
true fans always think their team will win no matter how bad they have been playing
Matt F
Roar Guru
$100? Cat B tickets are $40 for an adult and child. How much food did you buy the little guy! Actually, with their prices you probably only bought him a bottle of water ;)
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
We are masochistic , tugboat!