If this is what the NRL conspired for, they must really have it in for their fans.
The hardest decision any neutral fan will have to make is going to come on Sunday when they have to choose between who they want to win out of the Roosters and Sea Eagles, since unfortunately they both can’t lose.
But who is the easier to hate?
The junior-less Roosters are the masters of chequebook rugby league.
Uncle Nick and his boys from Bondi dragged to the grand final on the back of some astute theft. Your favourite team was no doubt affected by their reckless spending and if only your club had their financial clout, they’d be in the grand final too.
Their second best acronym, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was poached from the peninsula. Star centre Michael Jennings was pulled in from Penrith.
Sonny Bill Williams added to the pack, proving crossing codes isn’t a problem for Easts.
Seas are little more than an inconvenience for the latte sippers, bringing back Sam Moa from the motherland, James Maloney from across the Tasman and the most important part of the spending spree, coach Trent Robinson from the south of France.
The calibre of person at Bondi Junction is extremely low. Sonny Bill Williams is a traitor to the code, deserting it and only returning for the thing every Sydney Rooster lives for, cold hard cash.
Jared Waerea-Hargraves used his forearms to attack the opposition, including the nicest guy in rugby league, Danny Buderus.
Mitchell Pearce has been living off his last name for nine Origin games too many.
And perhaps worst of all, they’ve been the beneficiary of the NRL’s conspiracy for the entirety of 2013.
Money can’t buy happiness, but if you’re a Roosters fan, it just might get you a premiership.
But then again…
Everybody hates the Sea Eagles, especially you, neutral fan.
Jamie Lyon is the best centre in the game but refuses to represent his state or country, Geoff Toovey would have a whinge about having to remove the wrapping paper on a birthday present and Steve Matai writhes on the ground at the slightest bump or nudge.
You really couldn’t find a less likeable bunch of blokes. Seems Manly have embraced the culture of being ‘hated’ by not including one half decent bloke in their top 25.
They’re greedy too.
The men from the northern beaches haven’t missed a finals series in near a decade, not caring at all about your team, which is no chance of making the grand final if clubs like Manly keep hogging top-four finishes and grand final appearances like they have done for the past six years.
They proved they don’t care who hates them, even if it’s the NRL administration, when they ended the season of the Rabbitohs, and put off the feel-good story of South Sydney ending their forty year premiership drought for at least another year.
So there it is, now who do you want to support?
Or maybe a less painful question first, would you rather gouge out your left eye or right eye?
You better figure it out quick because come Sunday, you’re going to have to pick your poison. Manly or Easts, who do you hate less?
Twitter: The_Hoss12
bee bee
Guest
Just what I need. A Manly fan telling me its easy to respect Manly fans. And who is this Uncle Nick you wish to screw.
bee bee
Guest
Of course we are all filled with envy and jealousy. Any person who's team didn't make the GF is envious. (Prob more than 90% of the RL population) The point of this article isn't jealousy. Its sadness that both teams are hard to like.
bee bee
Guest
At least in the election you could go nuts and vote for Palmer or pin the tail on a donkey. This game is just cruel. Cruel to all true fans. Abbott is also from the seat of Waringah. If Manly win it will be another cruel blow to all Australians. Two wins for Abbott in 2 months.
bee bee
Guest
I am jealous of your name. Are you Batman. How do you get a name like that. That is awesome.
bee bee
Guest
Agree 100 %. Lets hope SBW scores the winner in the 80th minute on the 7th tackle.
bee bee
Guest
Your article summed up my feelings exactly. RL is a game built on hate. It sells a billion courier mails every origin series. With headlines like "Bash the Blues." Sadly its hard to hate 2 teams. Manly's endless whingeing from the coach down to their ball boys and stay at home fans tips my low care factor towards a Roosters win.
JayBob
Guest
Oops, should have read down a bit further. +1
JayBob
Guest
Being most penalised is because of the tactic the Roosters employ: Holding down until a penalty is received while defending their own goal line. It was brought up ages ago and it becomes more apparent the more Roosters games I see. If they can get their goal line defence set, and everyone is ready to rush up it's nearly impossible for the other team to score. You will notice in non-Roosters games most tries are scored after a quick play the ball. It's smart coaching really and if the NRL is too stupid to notice it and start sin binning for it then good on Trent for using it. But please don't make out you are being harshly dealt with penalties. Anyway I thought the article was funny, some people taking it too serious.
Emily
Guest
omg only just read this. best article ever. i'm on a bunnies fan page and thats what everyones been thinking! who the hell do you choose? It's just like picking between Abbott and Rudd in the last election, near impossible!
chrisn
Guest
well the roosters are in the grand final and favourites to win it so not really a dumb tactic. And its a lot easier to defend another set when your defence is set then if you still have guys running to get back on side. Maybe you should watch a game or two .
up in the north
Guest
If you haven't noticed the Roosters using this ploy, you must not watch much footy. Been doing it all year, and it is very effective for them. Good luck to them for getting away with it, just dont make out it isn't happening.
Zee
Roar Guru
Manly are fare more easier to Respect than the Roosters. What the Eagles have done this season is incredible. Screw Uncle Nick and his petty Greens.. go you Eagles
Zee
Roar Guru
Oathh.. but still anyone but the Roosters. I feel Dirty But Carn Warringah. I least they have George Rose... he's kinda likeable.. and the wolfman is HOT!! so yeah
Thor
Guest
That doesn't hold any water, Chrisn. You can't afford to give your opponent another set of 6 that will get them closer to your try line. Dumb tactic. It will starve you of possession. They'll probably get anther 6 and eventually a try. Gee whiz, you people must be from another planet.
chrisn
Guest
They give away the penalty when they are in danger of having points put on them the don't give away a deliberate penalty on the last tackle when there defence is set.
Thor
Guest
Up North, it's a good thing you are not a coach. I fail to see logic in that tactic. So if it's last tackle, you willing to give that penalty in your 10 meter????
scribble
Guest
Will be backing Manly for the DCE and Foran factor. Both great players and DCE is such a likable well spoken gentlemen off the field, which is refreshing for NRL....
Glenn Innes
Guest
Up in the North - you are probably correct which shows that their coach is a smart cookie - he is prepared for his team to push the envelope at the play the ball because he is confident his teams defensive systems and the players who implement them can repel repeat sets against them and results this season have proven his judgement to be correct.
up in the north
Guest
I have to take exception to the comment by fellow poster with the obscure asian symbols. The roosters have conceded more penalties because it is their tactic to enable them to re-gather and get set in defence.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I agree 100% that it should be a cracker of a game and I will be watching. But as a neutral fan it is a tough won to pick who to cheer for and the game loses abit of its fun when you aren't cheering for someone. I am leaning towards the Roosters as my dad is a fan (and I was born on Waverly)