If your NRL team doesn’t make the final eight, which club will you secretly (or otherwise) hope goes the whole hog and wins the title?
I have always found it an interesting exercise to put this question to my mates if their team is ‘prematurely’ on vacation when the big stuff rolls around.
Some of their answers and the reasons for them can be entertaining, while others tend to border on the extraordinary.
A few brazenly insist that they have absolutely no interest if their club is dead and buried, but I don’t believe them entirely. Surely there is one team they’d rather see running the victory lap and collecting premiership rings?
Sometimes, the replies I get focus on teams that have never tasted premiership success, while others could be because Player X or Y deserves to savour the game’s biggest thrill after having a standout season, or has given wonderful service to a particular club.
Some even centre on potential riches – “My team’s gone but I think I can make a motza on so-and-so as their odds are pretty tempting going into the playoffs.”
I don’t really follow any club now that the North Sydney Bears are dead and buried, but I’d like to see Souths end their premiership drought this year. This club and its army of supporters have been to hell and back since their last success in 1971. They look to have assembled the team and coaching staff to do it, but plenty can go awry between now and grand final day. I’d just like them to make the decider and see what eventuates.
Your club might already be out of the running for 2014 honours and I’d like to learn what your pseudo allegiance will be.
Are you considering running with the battling Panthers of Penrith, the Roosters because Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Minichiello are in their last seasons in the tri-colours, or maybe even the New Zealand Warriors or the North Queensland Cowboys simply because you like the way they play.
I don’t expect too many Roarers will nominate Manly as their ‘second team’ but one never knows. Perhaps the traditional ‘I loathe Manly’ mantra is mellowing and you’d like to see this great club win another title before its core player group disbands?
There is, and always has been, a heavy Maroons’ influence at the Melbourne Storm. Will Queenslanders find themselves cheering for Craig Bellamy’s men if the Cowboys make an early exit?
I’ll hand it over to you Roarers. Which team, if any, will you be willing towards victory in the finals if your team is finished and heading off on holidays?
Luis
Guest
Mr Tim, from where I am from, football is the war of the tribes that's why we wear different colors to identify ourselves. In every match it is the war of the tribes. I come from Brasil and if you support a particular team you don't even dream to live outside your district. You are loyal to your colors & your club. That's why if my team doesn't make the Finals I don't give a damn which teams win, lose or draw.
Nezza
Guest
Maybe its because I live in Melbourne but this Chookie is not reaching smugness Andre .... the lid is still well and truly on at this end. I will say the dollars are in the kitty if I am needed the first weekend in October, but a bit worried about this mantra that as Wayne Bennett is leaving a club Manly will win. But the biggest issue for me is a Storm win, we get so little NRL coverage down here until September and then it is nearly saturation .... until they are out. And of course they are so hardly done by ..... Can't go the Rabbitohs as most of the supporters I know are displaying the same arrogance you speak of with Roosters, so if we can't make it would have to go Panfers. Praying we are there but well aware the odds are against us - and not just statistically, at this stage I think mentally.
Carlos
Guest
injurys
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ahhh Tim your years of journalism coming out here with a Tele like heading " Rub of the Green ". No doubt the Cows have been dudded in recent years. As a Sydneysider I'm selfish and always want the all Sydney team GF but doesn't happen often. The Cows, Storm and Warriors are teams no one will want to play in the semi's presuming they all qualify.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Absolutely Tim, a mate of mine has followed the Bunnies for 45 years, he was there as a kid on his Dads shoulders in 1971. This fella is not an emotional type, pretty dry and not much of a drinker. He is South Sydney through and through. If they win he said he will be off work for days celebrating. The Bunnies are my team too but this guy is a Souths tragic. I follow other sports / teams also but for this guy, it is only Souths. Nothing else matters to him.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Will its the Roar mate, if you support more than one footy code your an oddball. I guess that makes you, me and EagleJack oddballs !
Tim Prentice
Expert
Don't feel dirty, Will. It's only filthy money. Who doesn't like that stuff? Fingers crossed for you.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Panthers last won it 11 years ago so not quite a drought. Come on Bunnies !
Tim Prentice
Expert
History shows the Cows have been desperately unlucky in finals football in recent seasons. They have not had chances to decide their own fate as they have been screwed by incompetent referees time and again. If they get the rub of the green this year - who knows how far they can go? They have the firepower. Rub of the green? Well, they have signed a coach of the same name. Perhaps that's the solution.
Tim Prentice
Expert
But that's the thing Pickett. No-one really wanted these players.Their own clubs did not fight to keep them. Penrith took the punt and they have delivered.
Tim Prentice
Expert
If Souths win the comp, I believe it will be the most emotional win we have seen since Parra's first. Look at where they have come from. Battlers to blockbusters. I really like that.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Chop, I reckon you will get the cash. Good luck.
Tim Prentice
Expert
This is their chance maximillion. All or nothing. The drought will continue.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Yep, JT deserves that honour more than most.
Tim Prentice
Expert
SteveB: If the Panthers actually get to the GF they will be everyone's sentimental favs. I'd definitely like to see that. Aussies love a battler more than anything else.
Muzz
Guest
It's a "self fulfilling prophecy" that JT has to shake. This may be a bigger hurdle than the opposition!
simmo green
Guest
I think you fail to understand how Souths are thought of by fans of Sydney teams. I was devastated when Souths were kicked out. I wanted the mortal enemy to remain and what a glorious day when they were re-admitted Unless you're from Balmain you wouldn't understand
Jack
Guest
Cowboys 2nd team, but the sicko part of me wants to see what happens if the refs are responsible for their season ending... Again
mick
Guest
Well since my fabulously talented team is taking early holidays.. I'd love to see Cronulla Sharks get up and hold the trophy for a year!
Brendan
Guest
I can only assume the hatred for Souths is because a lot of supporters were so used to seeing Souths at the bottom of the ladder for so long that seeing them up at the top (presumably above their own team) somehow annoys them..