Rugby league – it’s a game of drama. We all have our favourite team. We also have our rugby league heroes and our villains.
I am a proud Parramatta supporter, but still have many other favourite players from other teams. I admire talent like Johnathan Thurston’s. I admire new talent, like Aidan Guerra. I also admire a good head of hair, which is why I admire Aaron Woods.
However, as strongly as I feel for these players, there are also players in the NRL which I strongly dislike. This dislike stems from many reasons: because of their attitude, because I am jealous of their talent, or just because they play for a team like I love to hate.
One player that I have loved to hate over the last few years is Anthony Watmough. Anthony is a very talented player and a true competitor in our game. He is fierce, strong and determined but I know I have yelled ‘grub’ at the screen multiple times as he runs the ball up.
He also plays for Manly, the team that most of Sydney loves to hate and I am no exception to that rule. The Parramatta versus Manly is a rivalry which stretches back many years and they are one of the teams that I relish having a victory over.
So, you can imagine my surprise today when it was announced by the Parramatta Eels that Anthony Watmough had agreed to join Parramatta on a three-year deal from 2016.
Watmough could come over earlier if he is granted a release from the Sea Eagles.
Anthony has a strong relationship with our current coach, Brad Arthur, and on the back of what has been a purported falling out between Watmough and Daly Cherry Evans, it may come as no surprise that Watmough wanted out.
I now find myself with a dilemma as one of my most disliked players comes to Parramatta, the club that I love.
I’m not sure how to feel.
Despite being quite critical of Watmough in the past, I am a fan that puts my club first and will undoubtedly welcome Watmough with open arms when he comes to my club. The minute Watmough puts on that blue and gold jersey, I am sure my feelings towards him will change and however begrudgingly, I will welcome him as a player at my club.
One of my criticism’s of Parramatta over the years has been one of the reasons that I have loved them. We are a team of genuine nice guys and as a result of men like Tim Mannah and Ben Smith leading the way, I have often wondered whether Parramatta show enough mongrel on the field. Anthony Watmough should change this – and quickly.
This is Parramatta’s version of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin in the AFL – who has since become a Swans hero, showing how quickly feelings toward a player can change once they don your teams colours.
I’m very interested to hear some views on this one. Has a player you have actively disliked ever come to your club? How long has it taken you to fall in love with them?
Seeing Watmough in a blue and gold jersey is certainly going to take some getting used to.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes most certainly I do also that "There are also players in the NRL which I strongly dislike. This dislike stems from many reasons: because of their attitude" and one of those players is Mr J. Waerea-Hargr who is the dirtiest player in the NRL, he continually head high tackles he continually tackles players and has his hand on the ball to rip the ball out and cause a knock on as he did last night against the Panthers and he was put on report but unfortunately he gets away with his dirty tactics most of the time.
Midfielder
Guest
Phil Blake ... the potential to be the greatest of them all and there was something missing ... I can still see the try he scored after the kick and chase has been and was replayed many times...
Tom G
Guest
the closest being Phil Blake but he never settled anywhere he went
Dean William Sullivan
Guest
As a Parramatta fan, and someone born after 1986 I have never seen Manly as a rival. I consider Canterbury as our biggest rival. When is the last time their was a finals match between Manly vs Parramatta?. 2005 by my memory and before that....well....The 80's. Also Parramatta is nowhere near Manly, In contrast I think Canterbury vs Parramatta is in the top 3 rivalries in Rugby League. It's also the only game where you can be attacked outside the ground for wearing a Parramatta shirt or if you were walking around the Canterbury-Bankstown area be attacked for wearing Parramatta kits. By members of the local "Middle Eastern Community". Tracksuits, bum bags etc.
Luke M
Guest
Well played Squid.
Mals
Guest
Well said Mid!
Tom G
Guest
On to the success that had eluded them with the soon to be extinct teddy bears
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Mary, I have not had this problem. Mine has been the opposite, admittedly with the same club. Distraught doesn't come anywhere near what I felt when Kenny Irvine left, when John Gray walked out on us, when Paul McCabe and Don McKinnon went as well. One guess where they all went.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Back ended contracts like third party payments are a blight on the game The sooner they are got rid of the better.
Muzz
Guest
I get where your coming from Mary. I had something a little different happen last year when my kids favourite player wasn't going to be part of the clubs future plans.We had tears for a couple of days and something i didn't see coming. If Choc is granted a early release, i would imagine that the back-ended amount of his 2015 contract will still be deducted from Manly's cap.
Dennis
Roar Rookie
Love it!!!!!
Realist 1975
Guest
Totally understand your position as it happened to me regarding Cronulla years ago but the difference being team culture as opposed to individuals. The perennial good guys culture fundamentally changed once ET retired and we eventually ended up with a club always generating negative publicity from the top down. At least moving forward times are hopefully on the up - well you can't get much lower than this year I suppose.
The RiffMarn
Guest
Old adage thou the club is always bigger than the player - even the ones we hate
The RiffMarn
Guest
Old adage thou the club is always bigger than the player - even the ones we hate
Andrew
Guest
Mary young Lady, Watmough won't go to the eels. I despise Watmough and also, I live on the Gold Coast & he's relative (young lady) on a Gold Coast bus, she laid into a elderly Gentleman with her friend. She got 10-20hrs community service...a JOKE!
Jay C
Roar Guru
I don't know that they over achieved, so much as you forgot to take the Ricky factor out of your calculations.
Jay C
Roar Guru
For some reason. that comment. Next to that face just made me crack up.
davey
Guest
Yep and don't forget how many of us felt when Willie was signed. 3 years later and we were chanting his name at the farewell, funny how times change and how the sentiments of loving to hate so-and-so can change with it. It also happens at Origin, there are blokes who I hate but as soon as they pull on that sky blue they're the best thing going around.
Roarsome
Guest
Anthony Mundine joined the Broncos! Game over, we win.
Midfielder
Guest
I remind the good folk of the Roar Manly over the years have let most of their best players go... Fulton Easts was suppose to cruel the club ... when Fatty left the same... I wish Anthony well and hope he does well at Parra hand on heart not the other thing would I keep the halfs over Anthony, Glenn & Bret ... yes every time ... I could be wrong but I cannot think of a single player who has left Manly after say more than five years at the club who has played better at the club they went to... Anthony will not fail at Parra but neither will he be as successful...