Upon hearing the doomsday news Sunday afternoon that the side I have always supported wholeheartedly – even in the worst of times which unfortunately has been a telling feature of our history – is in the firing line to be cut.
I have begun to feel reminiscent of all the ups and downs of being a Force fan. I remember the chunky sideburns of the tackle busting Scott Fava running down the centre. I remember our first ever win at Subiaco Oval where we fought back in the dying minutes to have Cam Shepherd sink a conversion from the very corner of the 22 to win the game by one point after 80 minutes.
The 15 minutes of pure elation and emotion to follow still gives me goosebumps to this day. The years of the honey badger, the adopted son of the sea of Blue with his unique and comical way of tackling an interview or the hat trick he scored against the ‘Tahs even though we spent a majority of the game on our five metre.
Nevertheless just because I, with the force community, all have fond memories of our team doesn’t imply that we should remain. I understand that business is business but for me, the real distinguishing elephant in the room hasn’t been addressed.
People have recently been commenting on how we have never produced a genuine competitive season despite being around since 2006.
I understand that position and if you go through our yearly performances, its not something to look back on too fondly. What I can say is that this ten year experiment has started to produce dividends.
We are now seeing a lot of local product coming through and performing strongly on the ‘big stage’. Matt Hodgson recently recalled in one of his interviews that he can still remember putting Richard Hardwick and Kane Koteka through there paces when they were younger.
We have the Haylett-Petty brothers, the heavy hitting Angus Cottrell, Ryan Louwrens, Anaru Rangi and Kyle Godwin until his recent departure.
In an age where the Wallabies aren’t performing too admirably – and in my opinion much of that is to do with our forward pack – why would we eliminate Australia’s best club in regard to player development just when they start unearthing the talent that we need so desperately?
Although not being a Perth local, I believe Adam Coleman can also credit a lot of his development to the Force system and we have seen the effect he is having for the Wallabies today. So to put it simply, why bite the hand that’s feeding you and keep Melbourne, who although being given all the help in previous years with larger international player quotas have performed the same if not worse?
Even if you think the Rebels are promising, you would have to wait a few years to start seeing the local product come through. This is already happening at the Force.
Given how tight of a grip that the AFL and NRL have on Melbourne, will anyone tune in to watch the Rebels or turn up at the games?
Yes, the Force are not immune to this but after almost 11 disappointing seasons, we still had a turn out of 8000+ for a Kings game – which for any team is no draw card. The Sea of Blue have proven their undying loyalty and passion for the team and given the strong positive response from the ‘Own the Force’ campaign, we have one of the most invaluable fan-bases in Australia.
We understood that we will not be able to compete with the pulling power of other teams and although its nice to rack up a few frequent flyer miles, doing the 40,000km+ of travel each season is definitely a hindrance to the professional player yet week in, week out. That said, they make us proud with their combative and ‘never back down’ attitude.
On top of financial constraints due to us not being able to acquire a naming sponsor for the past few years, we have remained a competitive team.
We have finally acquired a naming partner for the next few years giving us the financial support we so desperately needed. Newly elected premier Mark McGowan has fully backed the force to ensure their viability and success moving forward.
The ‘Own the Force’ campaign has received a strong positive response which in my opinion is all symbolic of the turn in the tide.
Yes I’ll admit, as a Force supporter the phrase ‘turn in the tide’ or similar has been used yearly as new players and coaching staff have renewed hope in our brand. I believe that with all these local players, the successful acquisition of a naming sponsor and the backing of our state, this could symbolise the rebirthing of a team that we already have so much pride in.
If this flows through to on-field performance, expect big things in the future but as always we shall wait and see.
waxhead
Guest
Troy Did you see today’s article in The Australian by Wayne Smith titled “Rebels not without a clause” Read it – THAT is why the Force will go – ARU cannot legally ditch the Rebels. Under ARU’s Constitution any decision to ditch a team from Super Comp must be by unanimous vote of all members. Force are ARU owned and therefore have no vote on the decision. And Rebels have 2 votes on ARU (Vict RU and Rebels). ARU can’t ditch Reds, Brumbies or Tahs either cos none of them will vote to ditch themselves Force have no votes. End of story – the alleged reviews being conducted are no more than a PR exercise.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Hope you're right, we have to save these rugby administrators from themselves even if it means legal action... The incompetence and lack of courage is actually astounding... Not mention their complete failure to see the problem, which is the best teams don't compete in the finals, what a joke. That is why super rugby has lost credibility. If that means only kiwis play in the finals until the others get their act together, so be it.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Thanks
AndyS
Guest
I think it is just a variation on the Rebels boss saying he would be willing to sell for a price. Not sure that it means much - the price is one thing, but there is no clarity on the extent of associated liabilities they'd also be buying. It is likely a classic 'poison pill' situation.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I don't know how true this is but it was just on the ABC News (about 5.00 pm). The comment was we have two sides, the Rebels want out and the Force want to remain in Super Rugby. This isn't on the ABC site but was heard on their news. Has anyone heard this?
davSA
Guest
We should target our anger at those that created and continue to perpetuate this mess. Not towards one another. Well said Piru. I have as do most South Africans huge confidence in our courts and justice system. I believe the Cheetahs and possibly the Kings if culled will take legal action. Hopefully SARU and SANZAAR will be sent straight back to the drawing board.
woodart
Guest
yes, watching from foxton beach, it looks like that. very bad all this infighting. maybe another way of looking at it is to see what happened with taranaki changing from the hurricanes area into the chiefs. still in the game, still get games,(in fact, more games) in new plymouth. maybe merge the melbourne and canberra teams into one catchment area and guarantee a certain number of games that attract good crowds to melbourne. its not perfect(nothing is) but its got to be better than axeing a team completley and then ignoring that areas fans and potential players.
Wozza
Guest
Strange how everyone left the Force 3 years ago, 2015, claiming underperformance when in the 2014 the Force finished 8th on the ladder only 2 points out of the top 6 and were in contention for the playoffs until the last round. At least they abandoned the ship when it wasn't sinking. Either that or they all talking a load of ...
piru
Roar Rookie
Agreed Frank, and well put The worst thing about this whole godawful mess is the way it's pitted us all against each other.
mattocks
Guest
Troy, There are as many reasons to keep the Rebels as there are to keep the Force. I am a Melbourne Rebels member since the start. The Western Force don't have a monopoly on passionate supporters. I was disappointed when the Force initially got the licence over us but was a Force supporter from day 1 as I thought it great that we had another team at least. We too have had some great memories at our stadium. When we beat the Crusaders at home in 2012 with Stirling Mortlock scoring the Final try was something to behold. And the look of confusion on the great Richie McCaw's face at the end was priceless. And we've also beaten the Crusaders in Christchurch in 2015, something few teams have done. These are the moments, as fans, that we live for. I am resigned to the fact that one of us will be no more as of next year. I hope that The Rebels will be the team that stays. If not I will wish the force well and continue to support them. I believe our collective anger should not be directed at each other but toward the ARU for such a monumentally bad process surrounding this. I do not agree with the way "Rebellion" has presented himself. Mudslinging is not my way, but each to their own. Good Luck Cheers Frank
piru
Roar Rookie
haha, Rebellion cleverly said Farce instead of Force again! What a talent
DJW
Guest
You disgust me Rebellion. Might want to look at the losses the Brumbies are making and all the off field problems they have had before you throw stones. The brumbies get similar crowds to the force depsite being in a supposed heartland.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Agree 100% . Harry for ARU president. They should have added . Even quickly put a north American conference and Pacific Islanders with one more NZ side. Conference 1 6 sa sides Conference 2 6 NZ sides Conference 3 5 aus and pacific islands Conference 4 2 US 2 argies 1 jap and 1 Canadian . Play 15 games. 5 own conference, 6 next conference. 2 each for 2 other conference.
Uncle Eric
Guest
I think the Force might be slightly ahead of the Rebels at this stage though Rebellion.
Browny
Roar Rookie
How can you have a strong identity when there's no distinct 'home'? While a merger could make sense in keeping something closer to the current pathway (club > Rising/Spirit > Rebels/Force) it would substantially dilute the supporter base in each state. Pretty hard to follow a team who play a maximum of four home games a year. Also, the team is going to continue to be seen as Melbourne or Perth depending on where they set up their base. If it's in Perth then to the Melbournians they've still lost their team, it's just that the Force now play some games in town. I think it's fair to say Force fans would feel the same if the situation was reversed. Ignoring the financial and logistical side of things it then comes down to what option has the smallest net loss; killing one area completely or diluting two areas down? Can't really see many positives in either outcome.
Harry Jones
Expert
The smarter thing to have done was to have two divisions...and ADD! In the top division: 12 teams (5 NZ, 4 SA, 2 OZ, 1 ARG) In the second: also 12, including S-Wolves, Force, Kings, and even a new second team from Sydney or Auckland or one SA city 24 total!
davSA
Guest
Apparently ARU doesn't want any SA sides to remain. So from me no preference. Chop a few extra if you have to.
davSA
Guest
Good coaches anywhere are hard to find Rhys. Only NZ who clearly invested over the years into this area have them in abundance. It is a bit , well sad that Australia who has produced some of the greatest and most innovative coaches in recent memory has such a bare cupboard at the moment. A coach imo is the most influential figure in any side today.
Sandgroper
Guest
Thanks Harry, I only hope the Force negotiators can convince the ARU!
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Good coaches are evidently hard to find in Australian rugby, Larkham and Wessels are the only two that we have at the moment. At least Foley got the Force to 8th in 2014, their second equal best result and better than any result at the Rebels, who have never been in single figures. And there have been plenty of other teams that aren't in question, who have spent long stretches in the bottom half or third of the ladder. If that is a criteria for participation then the competition should have automatic relegation, instead of using it as a cheap ace up the sleeve to get rid of teams that are mildly inconvenient.