All sports have diehard, one-club fans who will stick with their team through thick and thin, premierships or wooden spoons. They set the standard for footy fans.
But do they really?
These fans are often biased and are only in a good mood when their team wins. When their side loses, or a negative opinion of the team is put forward, these fans are quickly on the defensive.
The worst example was the 2008 AFL grand final. The Cats had lost the game and I went into Geelong to see the vibe. It was terrible, people ripping down Cats posters, throwing stuff into the streets and even setting a large stuffed cat on fire.
If some were Hawks supporters as well, maybe they would not have got so angry about the loss. So the question has to be asked: is it okay to support more than one team?
I say yes, without a doubt. Why not keep your options open and barrack for a second or third team (in my case five) to allow yourself to enjoy sport even more?
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Newcastle supporters are in a bad way, having only won two games in the last two seasons. They are a dead team walking, so why not find another team to cheer for until they get their act together?
I’m not saying abandoned ship and leave the Knights to sink, but why not feed off the success of another team and allow yourself some joy in the game? After all, teams come and go, the game will be forever.
Many fans have a soft spot for another club and that’s okay. It’s not disloyal to support another team – and when they play each other, it’s a win-win.
There is a club of AFL fans that each year go to the grand final dressed in gear that is half and half. These fans aren’t particuarly loyal to any club, just the AFL itself, and good on them – why miss out on a grand final just because your team is not there?
By choosing more than one team to support, fans can enjoy the game more.
What do you think Roarers? Is it okay to support more than one team?
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Well, Barry, sorry for the late reply mate. Your question is intriguing Q) Do us long-term Souths fans dating back to the early seventies think that our 2014 Premiership win meant more to us than the Storm or Broncos wins from 1999 to 2014? I am 100% sure Souths fans think so! For fans of the rich clubs who are always in the semis and especially those younger fans who haven't experienced hardship in their life, that question most likely seems incomprehensible to them. Roosters fans all think that Souths don't even have a right to be playing in the comp let alone in September. This is a different era since probably 1990 in Australian society as this is the Me Generation where they have NO Feeling at all for others. The "get over it" Generation... It makes me sick! For me personally, considering that the club was broke in 1974 and right up until 2012, with the exception of 1986 to 1989 I never ever even contemplated ever winning a comp. So for me, it is everything. From 1990 at the Rabbitohs right up until 2012, Souths were in a deep depression, In both financial and psychological terms. Souths would blood plenty of great kids from our juniors only to be pinched by the rich clubs. So many Souths Juniors became Kangaroos between 1974 to 2017 playing for other clubs when they should have been with us! **************************************************** I know we have had our stoushes on here in the past Barry but I would really love to have a beer with you one day and discuss many things, it would be extremely enlightening, to say the least. I know that you always try to have an open view on issues which is very commendable on your part. I think that it is a fine trait to have. Before 1995, the War and the subsequent fallout, then expulsion in 1999 I actually was way more tolerant. I also had an open view on many issues Unfortunately that all changed, when a person is at war like I have been for so long it is difficult to revert back to the way it was. I am probably the most pro passionate souths fan there is. I take a low profile in the public eye. I suppose Time will fix that all up eventually! I type with plenty of passion and emotion but I also use my extensive footballing knowledge and knowledge of life and circumstances and past experiences. I believe that I am highly intelligent but sometimes I do go overboard I must admit that. Only when others put Crap on me and/or my club, then I will unload on them. Us South's boys don't know how to turn the other cheek or to back down from a fight. It comes naturally to us. Just like back in the early 70s as a kid when we played tackle footy in the back lanes on bitumen using a half-brick... We are tough! We are Proud!
Big M
Roar Rookie
As your brother, I would have to says that you supporting multiple dreams shows your real passion for the games while always dodging the bullet of defeat, as usual J you want all the glory and none of the work to earn it. But then again, you not hurting anybody, so support as many teams as you like.
J.C.
Roar Pro
You are so full of $hit
J.C.
Roar Pro
Why so serious???
Steve
Guest
Says anyone who is an actual sports supporter.
BigJ
Roar Guru
You can only support one team per competition, saids who??? Suppoting NSw and QLD is just stupid I agree not one in thier rigth mind would do that so I agree, but having multiple teams is not a big deal.
Craig
Guest
You can only support one team per competition. Your argument that supporting a state, national and club team is about supporting 3 teams is not relevant. In your world, it must be okay to support both QLD and NSW. Ridiculous notion. QLD people do not have multiple teams, what a silly generalisation. They probably have one favourite time (broncos, cowboys, titans), and then they like to see other QLD teams do well. That is a big difference to supporting multiple teams.
BigJ
Roar Guru
still reading this article awesome!!!!! question who do you follow in the NRL i know your a made Glebe supporter but do you have a team in the current NRL???
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
lol
Jacko
Guest
Jacko Schnapper head????????lol
BigJ
Roar Guru
no investment in the game, you have to be a friend of The Barry's, fairweather fan??? Seriously did you evven read what most people were writing. I dont beleive that you can only truly support one team, that bull$hit!! Qlders mostly support more than one team and have the merchanise and memberships to back it up. So in your definition you can only support one team?? here one for you how do Tigers and Dragons fans go?? Many of the Merge team's had to support two teams so there goes that thoery. You can absoutley support mutliple teams, in fact most support three at once, club, state and country. Now isn't that supporting more than one team at the same time?????
Steve
Guest
Absolutely ridiculous notion that you can support multiple teams equally. Sure you can have a couple of other teams you like to see "doing well", and a couple you like to see languishing at the bottom of the table, but you can only truly support one team. Anyone who is supporting multiple teams is a fairweather fan who has no investment in games. Sorry BigJ, but anyone with more than 1 claimed team they support is not a true fan, end of story.
BigJ
Roar Guru
nope he lives in Hobart, so we could not be futher apart
Birdy
Guest
4 wives, Wow must spend a lot of time in your bottle shop
The Barry
Roar Guru
You guys must be close...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Have you ever supported the Brisbane Broncos?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Of course you can... 3 hats has supported Souths for decades. He supported them through the barren years in the 90s and the agony of being kicked out in the 00s. Saw their return and back into semi final footy. He supported no other team. You jumped on at some point in time. Jumped on to some other teams, cheered for the Storm in 2012, cheered for the Cowboys in 2015. You have no right to claim you support Souths anywhere near as intensely as 3 hats. It's borderline offensive that you do. There's objective, unbiased evidence that PROVES you don't.
BigJ
Roar Guru
thats pretty funny, i have a friend from Africa ( Kenya I think) he has four wives and does not like any of them!! ha ha ah
BigJ
Roar Guru
Right that is it people it is five teams!!! FIVE TEAMS NOT FOUR NOT SIX ,,FIVE!!! So again publicly, on the record, in no particular order. Storm, Cowboys, Rabbioths Titans and Warriors, time to get it right people
Birdy
Guest
If i can jump in, The 69 GF was one if the most wholesome enjoyable feelings of my life. Even the 05 GF lacked something. Loving multiple teams is like loving multiple wives, its just not real.