Three things are inevitable in each and every round of competition. Some teams will win, some teams will lose and fans will argue with each other.
This weekend it was the turn of the Sharks, Raiders and Knights to argue among themselves and each other.
Every week, the main topic of argument seems to be whether or not placing criticism upon your team makes you a ‘bad fan’ or worse, a ‘fairweather’.
Yesterday, the Raiders were battered from pillar to post by a rampant Warriors side, meaning the former Green Machine will now have to beat the Sharks to avoid the wooden spoon.
Fans were quick to label blame for the team’s disastrous season on under fire coach Ricky Stuart and captain Terry Campese.
Other fans condemned the criticism and labelled those speaking ill of their club and were quick to post their support despite the horror run of results.
Over at the Sharks, who looked like certainties to finish last until the Raiders forgot how to play football, fans have been at each other since their Round 2 loss to the Dogs.
Personally, I don’t see constructive criticism as turning your back on your team. In fact I tend to lean towards thinking that by sitting back and accepting that failure is ok, you’re not showing enough support for your team.
Every fan of every team, in any sport, anywhere, wants their team to do well. This is professional rugby league and not under 8s.
Sometimes there are circumstances, such as injury, that mean a team simply cannot perform to its peak. However each and every side should be striving to improve. Whether that be through personal changes, recruitment, or something else, they have an obligation to do so.
I for one am growing a little tired of hearing people who speak the truth about their club, being labelled ‘bad fans’. That’s correct, I am whining about people whining about fans whining.
Fans sometimes pay a lot of money to support their sides, and they have every right to expect success. Sometimes that simply isn’t possible, but I totally understand the frustration.
That being said, some of the personal attacks I saw yesterday on social media were wrong, and downright cruel.
I do not wish injury upon anyone, and I certainly don’t celebrate when a player does go down hurt. Some people yesterday were openly hoping one of their underperforming players would be injured and therefore lead to a change in personnel.
Walking away from your team when they’re not performing makes you a bad fan. Speaking ill of them when it is deserved, does not. Personal attacks, including tagging individual players on Twitter to criticise makes you not only a bad fan, but a bad person.
mushi
Guest
I get ripped by fellow "fans" for refusing to blame the referee for losses so I feel your pain. Being a fan is like being family you are allowed to criticise because you won't walk away
Tim Schuster
Guest
No. If the Tahs fans had not have rioted we'd still be waiting for a trophy. Raiders fans should chase Ricky and the board who hired him out of town
George
Guest
I made the mistake of going to the Raiders game with a complete masochist, who insisted on staying to the end. I was dismayed at the lack of care that Brenko Lee seemed to show on a few occasions. He played on the wing and he stood level with his teammates and 15m in from the sideline when the Warriors were kicking for his line. The ball was miss-kicked and landed where he should have been. He trotted off to get the ball and made a last ditch effort to keep the ball in play, but it went to a Warrior. I'm very upset with his effort and lack of thinking. Last time he played he walked off the field injured while the attack was coming towards him. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but his body language yesterday makes me wonder if there is a problem. Probably the Broncos telling him he's homesick. If you played Nrl at 18 years of age, it wouldn't be hard to be enthusiastic would it? I went to the game as Brenko was playing. He's supposed to be our future. The present is bleak, maybe I shouldn't have any expectations that anything will change. I really hope Campo retires, as I refuse to renew my membership in 2015 if he continues in the top grade.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Booing does nothing, they already know they played like poo. The only thing it does is alienate the players and sow discontent.
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
I can't stand when people tell you that you are not a real fan if you rip into your team. What rubbish. It doesn't make you are any less of a fan compared to someone that just sits and cheers blindly for 80 minutes. As a fan who pays money in tickets, merchandise and pay tv so i can watch them every week i think i have a right to be upset after a loss. You want your team to the best, who doesn't? It's normal behaviour. You are not a monster, I'm sure the players will be ok if you think that they played rubbish. They are big boys getting paid a lot of money I feel for Canberra fans, i really do. If you are a fan who watches every week you will clearly see when your team is not putting in 100%. Canberra threw in the towel pretty early yesterday and credit to Canberra fans most stuck around to the end
tigerdave
Guest
The reason we take the time to criticise our team from time to time is that we care. Passionate fans want their team to perform to the level they should. The fans pay big money year in and year out on tickets and merchandise tio see their team play footy. When the team doesn't bother to turn up, why should the fan. They have in effect been dudded. Fans have a connection to a team and players in that team. When they see that they are not putting in, then that teamm is letting that unwritten contrat down. Why wouldn't fans have a stake in the teams performance, after all...no fans no footy. In short we want to see our team peform to the best of their ability. Even if we have no chance of winning we just want to see our players have a go.
MJB
Guest
Is anyone surprised that Raiders fans are frustrated? The team has been in virtual rebuilding mode for a decade now, with every new marquee signing lasting not much longer than a few years. This is the fifth game of the season they've lost by more than 20 points.
Clark
Guest
Quite disappointing that nobody is giving credit to the Warriors. I think this was their first victory at Canberra for many, many years. I don't care how bad the Raiders were, I enjoyed the Warriors victory 100%
Baz Zinga
Guest
I'm dirty that Souths had a 5 minute lapse, and let Newcastle in for 2 soft tries. Does that make me a bad fan?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
We Shark's fans are experts at is criticising the performance of not only our players but our club,regularly.Sit in the stands and listen to the comments about performances of players and the team.Mea culpa.47 years and no Premiership says it all. "there is an overlap use it "The team has no idea of moving up in defence." The3/4 line have butter fingers,the handling is atrocious": "No idea in attack ,still the same old one out forward barge then a kick". "the coach plays safety first,the players are too scared to try something." "The attack has no variety,no decoy runners,no cutouts,no changing point of attack,the coach is too concerned for his job." 'Gallen is trying to do too much,stifling the backs."'The club buys players past their prime."Wouldn't feed ......let alone pay him.,no wonder the other mob offloaded him" I could write a book on the Boards over the decades and their performances.Let us say on many occasions ,below par would be a generous description. It is fair to say rl fans are among the most soul searching,team performance critics and player analysis people and say it openly of any code. So is is fair for any fan who pays his hard earned to expect players commit,the team performs as an NRL team should,the coach should have them conditioned and match planned,and if they do not meedt these basic standards the club and players should be prepared to wear justified fan's criticism. No fan should expect average performances,that is for kids and park football.You hire a lawyer to perform at his best and he is paid commensurate with his performance,thus the same should be expected of fully pro footballers.
Hoy
Roar Guru
As a supporter, I can call a spade a spade. If a team puts in a rubbish performance, then I can call it a rubbish performance without being called a traitor. I shoudl not have to blindly follow my team.
Ronald M
Guest
The only thing I criticise at the Raiders is the Coach. When sticky was appointed, the odds of the Raiders winning the spoon immediately shortened. Bookies are no mugs so ask yourselves why ? Ricky Stuart is in danger of going down in the record books as the worst coach ever. Already he is recognised for losing Australia and unloseable world cup, his game win % is appalling even with a gifted premiership and now he is headed for the title of The only coach to have won two wooden spoons consecutively and with different clubs. You don't need to wonder why you have a reserve grade team, focus more on why the Raiders management appointed a reserve grade coach.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Sometimes you team needs to have a year like the Raiders, so a proper cleanout can be done. Not just players, but support staff and a review of structures. Plenty of teams have gone through this, and come out the other side much better for it. While others somehow stay close enough to making the finals, yet not doing it and thus never get that smack on the face that things aren't working.
turbodewd
Guest
I didnt see the game. Which players let in the tries? I saw Lee fail to stop Vatuvei on one wing on the news highlights.
Baz
Guest
Seasons come and seasons go. Some successful, some not. I love my footy and I support my team (Raiders). But to be honest with you, there are far more important things in life......I think that there are a number of fans out there that need a good solid dose of perspective sometimes. I think that if the heartbeat of someones life revolves around what other people do on a few acres of grass every weekend then they might want to have a bit of a think about things. It is entertainment. To be enjoyed. To be shared with family. Sometimes it's not great but so what?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
People often say "if you've never played nrl football you can't critise the players or team" We that's false. How many footballers might walk out of a movie and say it was rubbish or hear a song and the radio and say its junk but never created any of those two mediums. As subjective viewers of this form of entertainment we have every right to tell when a performance is sub par just as we have the right to praise Jarryd Hayne etc when they play amazing like on sat arvo