Fans of the Canberra Raiders should be applauded for showing great initiative by introducing the ‘Viking Clap’ to support their team in the NRL.
What a great concept for not only Canberra and their fans, but also for the game of rugby league.
To see fans so passionate and united about supporting their team is refreshing and a much needed positive for the game of rugby league which has been much maligned recently.
There is a fine line however that shouldn’t be crossed. This was evidenced when both Michael Ennis and Jack Bird mimicked and taunted the Canberra fans by appearing to return serve with their own version of the ‘Viking Clap’ after the Canberra versus Cronulla Match.
It seemed to antagonise a number of the Raiders fans who were obviously annoyed as they must have thought that the Mickey was being taken out of them. You would like to think and hope that it was a bit of good natured banter on the part of Ennis and Bird.
Hopefully other team’s fans will follow suit and introduce their own innovative concepts to support their team. It only adds to the atmosphere and must surely give the teams a huge boost to feel and hear the groundswell of support for them.
Hammerhead
Guest
Is there anything the NRL/AwFL won't steal from the A-League? Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers have been doing the Viking Clap for years and nobody bats an eyelid. Canberra Raiders start doing the Viking Clap this year AND EVERYONE LOSES THEIR MINDS!!!
Josh
Guest
Congrats Canberra fans, what else are you planning on copying from Football ? Here's a tip, anything an announcer has to tell you to do isn't passion - it's plastic and manufactured. Leave it to your Capo to organise it, if you don't know what that is don't worry I'm sure we'll see one in League soon.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
If possible, I'd like to see more of it during the match.
Gaz
Roar Rookie
GFBS I think your raiders do exceptionally well at those figures given the climatic conditions and now with such a competitive team to support the membership numbers for season 2017 should be well and truly on the rise. Incidentally the Broncos average for 2016 is 34,412 about the same as 2015.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Great to see another product of Scotland being exported to the world :D On a serious note, it is great to see Canberra fans adding some atmosphere to the game as it does make it more enjoyable as a spectator both at the (especially) stadium and TV viewing, and I can only imagine the players get a lift from it (increased atmosphere). Keep it up, and more of it please :)
Muzz
Guest
'The Clap' How appropriate.
Muzz
Guest
Do the Raiders have their name on the Amco/KB/Tooth/Panasonic Cup?
JVGO
Guest
Anyone that doesn't know that sport is about more than winning a bunch of trophies off the back of having more money and resources and a bigger regional base than your opponents has no idea about sport, has likely not played it much at any level, and is probably a Broncos supporter.
Lovey
Guest
It is not larrikinism at all, it is just unprofessional smart-arsery. You seem to hark back to some time pre"political correctness" - it seems to me at the moment, bigotry and ignorance are what are politically "correct" anyway - but I don't recall sporting heroes deriding the fans, do you? In fact, sportsmanship was much more in evidence and admired, and Ennis' behaviour would have horrified. And as for the argument he was just giving it back, ...please. The club should haul him over the coals.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sorry, I wasn't referring to you, just the idea in general. We see the naysayers come out all the time and find something to complain about. This time, the topic brings out the argument of the real fans versus the 'fake' fans. Success brings out people. Simple as that. The more success, the more it becomes it 'traditional' and the fan base increases. I'm all for that. Again, sorry if you misunderstood my intent.
Old Bloke
Guest
"Nothing to see here boys" https://giphy.com/gifs/reaction-explosion-government-13d2jHlSlxklVe
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's pretty good theatre...but so was Bird and Ennis having a dig back. All they did was imitate the clap...hardly insulting and not that disrespectful. The clap is designed to intimidate opposition players and I'm sure the Raiders fans gave the Sharks players plenty during the game. The criticism of Bird and Ennis has been excessive and a bit precious.
Armchair expert
Guest
I like larrikins and really didn't have a problem with what Ennis did, deep down I don't reckon Ricky would have either. It was a good old fashioned smoke screen that took some heat off the players early in the week. Tribalism is part of the deal with this game, thankfully. Just as a side note, find a picture on the Raiders Instagram page of BJ and Mansour after the game to see what sportsmanship looks like. Respect mr Leilua. Fast becoming my favourite player
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Mate - you try heading out to Canberra Stadium when its 6 or 7 degrere in the middle of Winter - only lunatic season ticket holders like myself are crazy enough to go out there at that time oif the year. I took a punt on the Raiders having a good season this year and it paid off. 11 wins out of 14 games at home (I'm pretty sure) is a pretty good return. To go out and freeze your nu&s and watch a thrashing is not my idea of an enjoybale day out. Once June hits most Canberrans bunker down for the next 3 months. Then Spring comes around and the locals come bursting out of hibernation. Hence the bandwagon effect. I think its fantastic that the Canberran community have embraced the Raiders and got into the spirit of the Viking clap. But I think the only way you will overcome the smaller crowds in Canberra in the middle of Winter is to have an enclosed stadium similar to the Glasshouse in Dunedin. Its been talked about but it will cost a decent amount. There is a fair bit of water to flow under the bridge until that happens. And I had a look at the long term average home crowds for various clubs and Canberra doesn't stack up too badly averaging 11,200 per home game which compares with just over 10,000 for Cronulla, just under 10,000 for Penrith, 11,500 for the Roosters, and 12,800 for the Eels. The Bulldogs are a bit higher at juts over 13,000, North Queensland get 16,400, Newcastle get 18,400 and Brisbane 28,000
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
AE Doesn't alter the fact we are becoming too PC,and Ricky always bringing up ' respect" ,sheesh it's a bit of the old Aussie larrikin on the field,at the end of a pretty exciting game.Ennis was excited especially when the Sharks were the underdogs,underdone . Gallen noted when he played games there ,he cops it big time from their fans. Maybe the players all should stand in silence after a win in a game,remain subdued exhibiting no emotions.The day that happens,is the day sport has lost the theatre element.
Stuart McLennan
Expert
May want to update your figures Armchair. in 2016 Canberra has approximately 400,000 residents and Queanbeyan approximately 40000. i would also include surrounding towns such as Yass who take a big interest.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Better have look before you die Old Bloke
armchair expert
Guest
Everyone loves a winner..... The best way to encourage more members and bigger crowds is to keep winning, that much we can all agree on.
Renegade
Roar Guru
No, you've misinterpreted that. I'm saying they should do it more often and get higher attendances regularly. What's wrong with trying to aim for something better than now.... I thought you'd understand that based on our shared views on the international game otherwise we may as well give that up as well. Anyways, they will have an higher average than glebe ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Good response AE. I'm not trying to say they shouldn't attend at all... I'm glad of the numbers they are getting - what I'm hoping for is that they are encouraged to continue attending.