The notion of ‘Side by Side’ lost on some Magpies supporters

Following an interview with Melbourne radio station 3AW after last weekend’s embarrassing capitulation to the Tigers, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury was subjected to some venomous and vitriolic attacks on social media.

This tasteless vitriol was also repeated ad nauseam in the comments sections of various media websites who published either match reports or articles on the fallout of the interview itself.

Although one expects this kind of inane commentary from supporters of other clubs, amazingly (or perhaps not) the majority came from people who supposedly support the Magpies.

Calls were made for Pendlebury to be sacked, not just as captain, but from the side altogether. Others questioned his commitment, and some quite special individuals questioned his ability to even play the game.

Of course many of these requests and statements of never a truer fact, were filled with all manner of descriptive language unfit for general publication, emphasising the importance of the writer’s message.

So what did the Collingwood skipper do to deserve such a reaction?

He admitted to a radio station that he had never played in a game before with such little meaning, as the Magpies were no longer any chance of making finals.

What? How dare he! Collingwood had just been smashed by the Tigers, of all teams. As captain, Pendlebury needs to be setting the right example. Why, he should be so upset by such a loss he should be punching holes through dressing room walls while weeping uncontrollably.

I mean who does he think he is? Just because he is a five-time All Australian who happens to have won three club best and fairest awards, three runners up and a third, as well as being a Norm Smith Medallist in a premiership year and having played over 200 games. That does not give him the right to be truthful.

Yes, that’s it, sack him, or if not then at least strip him of the captaincy. I would suggest whoever the new coach is going to be – because Nathan Buckley certainly won’t be there next year – can select a new skipper.

Yes, that’s right folks, Bucks is gonskies. At least according to those in the know. Bloke can’t coach, and will never be involved in a premiership. Fact is, these intellectual giants state, is that Nathan Buckley has pretty much single-handedly decimated the Collingwood Football Club.

All those premiership stars gone, and look what Collingwood have got to show for it. Taylor Adams, Jack Crisp, Brodie Grundy, Tom Langdon and Marley Williams. What a bunch of no hopers.

Makes no difference they were all selected in the 2015 AFL Players Association’s 22under22 squad, or that the Magpies have the second most representatives in the side behind Greater Western Sydney. They’re still hopeless.

That also goes for Alex Fasolo, Jarryd Blair, Jamie Elliott and a host of others.

Although luckily for the four top 10 draft picks selected over the last two years in Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey, Matt Scharenberg and Nathan Freeman, they haven’t played enough senior games yet to gauge whether they should be sacked or not. Although there have been quiet rumblings about one or two of them.

It goes on and on, and does so every time the Magpies have a big loss, or heaven forbid a few honourable ones or a form slump. It’s no wonder Collingwood supporters are so reviled by those of other clubs. Fact is we deserve it.

Yes, that is correct. I am one myself, I’m sometimes sorry to say, and have been for a very long time. Not sorry that I support the Magpies, but sorry that such a vocal and ignorant minority tarnish the rest of us with their tainted brush.

Sorry that I have to cringe looking at my ‘fellow supporters’ almost falling over the fence from the weight of the froth flying out of their toothless mouths while they wildly gesticulate and excessively abuse any Tigers player within ranting range.

Sorry that Dustin Martin has to pay a $2000 fine, when instead he and his teammates should be commended for showing such restraint. Sorry that when someone asks me who I support I feel a caveat of, ‘but don’t hold that against me’, is in order.

Sorry that our coach and our captain have to put up with this sort of rubbish from our own so called supporters – and particularly sorry that I even feel the need to write this article.

I realise that there are supporters like these at all clubs, however it seems that Collingwood has quite a few more than any other.

Even James Hird, who was coach of a club involved in one of the biggest controversies in living memory, seemingly had more support from Bomber fans than Nathan Buckley has had from sections of the Magpie Army. And I dare say, Collingwood are in a far healthier position than that of the Bombers.

I do not expect every Magpie supporter to agree with every decision or move the club makes. I also have no problem with it being questioned on social media or through other channels. Nor do I think they should not be able to boo opposition players – as long as it is done with even a minimum of decorum.

Collingwood’s motto is ‘Side by Side’. However it is unfortunate that the notion appears to have been lost on many of their supporters.

But given the lack of rational thought that went into some comments on social media over the weekend it is hardly surprising that the concept goes over these people’s heads.