Despite being a West Coast fan, when Fremantle made the AFL grand final in 2013 I was delighted. But many Dockers followers were annoyed by what they deemed ‘bandwagon’ fans getting behind their team.
It struck me as a strange response. Why not embrace the wave of support for your side rippling through Western Australia rather than acting like a child with a toy it won’t share.
There was a confounding view among some Fremantle barrackers at the time that anyone who wasn’t a Dockers’ devotee should not have been able to enjoy the side’s success.
This sentiment was best encapsulated in a social media post by a well known ABC employee in Perth.
He wrote: “There are some of you out there masquerading as Dockers supporters under the ‘we support WA teams’ guise. Bugger off. This isn’t for you. It’s for those who stuck fast.”
His post piqued my interest as it indirectly referred to me. You see, I am a passionate Eagles supporter.
Along with my parents, I was a founding member of Fremantle’s cross town rivals.
Yet I follow the Dockers closely and was chuffed when they made their first grand final.
I barracked boisterously for them as they tried to take down Hawthorn on that last day in September at the MCG.
Why do I support both of the derby rivals? Because when Fremantle joined the AFL I was a 12-year-old boy who not only was obsessed with footy but also had a strong connection to the port city.
Born and raised in WA, I was thrilled to have a second local team to support and even more so because, as a follower of East Fremantle in the WAFL, the Dockers represented my interests.
A few years later, this connection with Fremantle football was strengthened when I played colts and reserves for South Fremantle in the WAFL alongside several players who went on to wear a purple guernsey.
Hence, over the past 21 seasons I have backed Fremantle every time they have taken to the field to battle any side other than West Coast.
Even when they play the Eagles, I’m not overly downcast when they triumph, unless such a loss would derail West Coast’s season.
I cannot fathom why this would work irk a Fremantle fan. I cannot fathom why, during the proudest period in their club’s history in 2013, some were preoccupied with the support coming from West Coast fans like myself.
I cannot fathom why they were doing anything but soaking up the joyous experience of the success they had so long craved.
What do you think Roarers? Do you have a ‘second team’ in the AFL, NRL or Super Rugby?
Do you get frustrated when your club’s supporter base swells during times of success and shrinks in periods of underperformance?
Do you think I’m a weak-kneed fence sitter trying to double my chances of skolling celebratory beers each weekend?
Alanna
Guest
I am a proud Sydney Swans fan, however, I see GWS as a 'little brother' team. While I always support the Swans when both clubs play one another, I do get excited to see GWS improving, and achieving. I think it is partly because they are a fellow Sydney team, but partly due to the fact that they are still considered a new team. That said, I hope to see the Suns do well also, just not as much as GWS. Also. If there are certain teams that we dislike more than any other, some disliked more than others, it seems odd that there wouldn't be teams that we like more than others. Not a second team per say, but teams we like to see succeed.
Bolverk
Guest
I wear my West Coast scarf if they are playing anyone except Port Adelaide. Having two teams doubles the fun.
Jabba
Roar Rookie
Isn't it funny that most Dockers supporters followed WC and then jumped on the cool underdog bandwagon. 90% of Dockers supporters changed teams and have very little loyalty.
Bretto
Guest
If you don't mind Carlton you are not a Collingwood supporter.
johno
Guest
Now that's what I like to hear Lroy!
Mikey
Guest
After the Eagles lost the 2005 GF against the Swans, I was on a flight to Sydney and happened to be sitting next to a ex-pat Sandgroper now living in Sydney. He had been living there 10 years but was still a West Coast supporter - but had become a Sydney Swans member because he loved going the footy and the Swans was his only option for a regular footy fix in Sydney. I said to him that must have created some conflict of who to barrack for in the GF. He said not at all - he wanted the Eagles to win and was devastated when they didn't. He would have been happy if Sydney had beaten anyone else, but they were his second team by a long distance, so there were no mixed loyalties for him when they played each other. I also have a relative who has been a member of both Eagles/Dockers since day 1 for both clubs. He has stuck with the Dockers during all those early awful years so could hardly be described as jumping on the bandwagon once they became successful. While I don't have a 2nd team per se, come finals time - if WCE is not there - , I usually barrack for another club. The last couple of years it has been the Dockers - before that it was St Kilda. (The Ross Lyon connection is coincidental). I don't think having a soft spot for the Dockers diminishes in anyway my support for the Eagles. But I do think it is all relative. I have a soft spot for the Dockers because of their lack of success to date. That could change if over the next few years they were to win a few flags and the Eagles continued to struggle. So from that perspective I can probably understand why some Dockers supporters may resent any Eagles supporters who - in their eyes - are having a bet each way!
Matty
Guest
As a West Coast supporter, I can back the soft spot for Freo.they're like that dorky best friend of the opposite sex who's gone through puberty and now looks rather attractive, but you wouldnt admit that to them. My brothers a true Dockers supporter, and I've seen the tough times he's gone through. I've felt them recently with WC but I couldn't support any other club as much as I do the eagles. I like to see a few other teams do well, teams like Melbourne etc where their success is good for the comp. I more or less want Freo to do well for my brother. I want him to feel the success like I did as a ten year old in '06. (Also, Pav deserves that medal). By all means I despise Freo. Especially on derby day, but when it comes to crunch time, if the dockers are in it, I hope they take it out.
bryan
Guest
As a Dockers supporter,I am quite happy to support WCE when they are playing any team but Freo. It IS WA versus the rest!! The "Wise Men From The East" have been screwing WA teams over,ever since the "Vics" used to steal all our best players & play them against us in Interstate games------way before S.O.O.,when you mob weren't even a glint in your Father's eye!
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Here's my take. I've loved the Swans since the start. I've always had a keen interest to see Power and Crows do well, because I have family in South Australia who support them. I always want the Swans to win when we play mind you. I would like to see GWS do well and hope they can. NSW is a big market that can easily support two teams. They need to do something about Spotless at the start of the year though. Can't be plying in Canberra when trying to start up a team. I like to see the Bombers do well, simply because it is who my father supports. We both have our reservations about what actually happened at the club. Once more, Swans v Bombers, I'll be chanting out the Swans every single time. I do not support these teams, but simply hope they do well.
Michael Steel
Roar Pro
I've written 9 articles for the Roar, they might be good they might be bad, but if there's any integral hatred in any of them I haven't noticed. In fact I'd say the opposite.
michael steel
Guest
It's not an integral part of me and you don't know me. But in football terms and for the purpose of this article I made that point. In many football conversations you here"I hate that bloody Collingwood"
jax
Guest
Ditto Jenko
jax
Guest
I used to think like that and after time I realised it was because of the way Freo fans spoke about WC. I got over it eventually and now I'm happy to see Frow win so long as it's not against WC.
jax
Guest
Why is hating such an integral part for you?
jax
Guest
Thanks for sharing and I get your point but I don't understand how your Dad can go from supporting one team to hating them within a matter of (I presume) one day is the day Freo were granted a license.
jax
Guest
Good point, Freo has the potential to be one of the power clubs and they are finally on their way. They should be able to sustain it from here. People gravitate towards supporting the underdog and Freo have been one of the competitions perennial underdogs and underperformers for a very long time. Things began to change for them when they changed their President, CEO, coach and recruiting staff and it started around the time Drum left and Harvey took over and it hasn't been a quick fix, nor has Hawthorns, they very nearly merged with the Dees don't forget. Lyon being the seasoned pro that he is has got the best out of the list and he will continue to keep them up there and competitive. If Freo had put the right leadership in place from the start they might have won a flag by now aka Port. Freo are on the move and its good for footy.
jax
Guest
So what? Times have changed and you need to move on. We haven't had a zone draft for nearly 30 years. You make it sound like it was a conspiracy against Fremantle. East and South Freo hated each other back then and now you are united by circumstance and convenience. That's like me saying WC and Freo missed out on drafting Buddy Franklin, Betts, O'Meara Coniglio, Martin, Bennel, Matera, Rance, Taylor, Swallow, Lumumba, Wells,Jetta et al, in the last 10 years. Tip: it was a national competition before Freo joined. Not in your eyes but it was. Yes WC had a great list but they were only allowed 35 players while every other team was allowed 52 players. Prior to WC's inaugural draft Vic clubs signed the likes of Bairstow, Winmar, Starcevich, Bewick, Spalding, Christian, Satori, Wilson, Dean, Henwood etc so they didn't have it all their own way and it wasn't as easy as you think and those guys weren't on the list for the 06 flag.
jax
Guest
Who cares how they look? Is it really appropriate to judge people by the way they look?
jax
Guest
The Irish and Scots have very good reason to hate the British. Freo supporters do not have anywhere near as genuine a claim to that level of hatred. I get the comparison but it's incomparable to be fair.
jax
Guest
Exactly Winston