Now is the autumn of our discontent. Spirited victory over the Bulldogs notwithstanding, Tiger Town has a gloomy feel to it at the minute.
Fans have copped a succession of hammer blows. Unmercifully conscious, we’ve been forced to bear witness to mismanagement, scandals, factionalism and high profile departures.
Some supporters are tempted to jump ship, citing any number of final straws. With our emblematic leader, fleet-footed talisman, and precocious playmaker all headed for the exit, it’s tough to argue.
But I’m going to anyway.
Why do we support a club in the first place? Maybe it’s family tradition. Maybe it’s regional loyalty. Often, it’s witnessing a moment of magic or defiant comeback at just the right moment in childhood when our allegiance is up for grabs.
I adopted the Tigers via my friends at school, and later moved to Balmain. Throw in the 2005 season and my support was consolidated for life.
It doesn’t really matter what happens next. Once you settle on a team, the rest is an illogical leap of faith. Players don’t stay forever. Fortunes fluctuate. Yet we find a thread of continuity to cling onto. We wear their colours. We emotionally invest in people we’ve never met and a cause we have no tangible stake in.
Whether we’re cheering on champions or wooden spooners, none of it makes any real sense. Once a week, we let 17 strangers being slightly better or worse at their job than 17 others affect our mood.
Assuming we’re not a friend or relative of those involved, it shouldn’t make a difference. It doesn’t influence our career. It doesn’t enhance or destroy our relationships. There’s no fundamental change in us as people.
Maybe a win gives us a shot of confidence, stoked by the illusion that, sometimes, we can impose our will on the universe. “I wanted my team to win and they did. Perhaps other things I want are now attainable. The planets have aligned and I can bear to face the week.”
Sport is a screen on which we project morality. We elevate heroes and antagonists. We build narratives. We speak of deserving victory despite failure to appease the game’s ultimate arbiter ‒ the scoreboard.
So, back to the Tigers. If Parramatta were last year’s basket case, Wests have adopted the mantle all too readily this term. It hasn’t been fun. Fandom, however, calls for patience and unconditional love.
No one’s asking you to love an administration. And if the on-field product is too much of a stretch, at least hold onto the abstract concept of the club for now. Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, and Mitch Moses may well have been a mirage of better times ahead. So let’s focus on what we do have.
Ivan Cleary is a steadier hand than Jason Taylor. Recruitment to replace the aforementioned stars is officially in overdrive.
In the face of rampant criticism, Marina Go has proven she cares deeply for the club. Heck, David Nofoaluma damn near chewed the crest of his jersey on Sunday to celebrate his try. Such moments can be rationed out until the next feast, however long it takes.
If sport has taught us anything, it’s that hope is never lost. Supporting the Tigers might not make much sense right now, but when has it ever? All we ask is that they play like they mean it. Because it sure means something to us.
Wayne Veale
Guest
Another reason that many non-Catholics may not ordinarily receive Communion is for their own protection, since many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: "For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (1 Cor. 11:29–30). You dont believe in the real Presence do you matey? HA! Do you like that matey? An alien like you cant receive Communion matey. Believe it.
Wayne Veale
Guest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOtIiOthC9E
Charlie Lawry
Roar Guru
Phew. The more the merrier
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Western Suburbs wouldn't exist in the NRL today without the merger. Tigers wouldnt exist today without being a part of a JV. Mutually beneficial and swings and roundabouts. Balmain still has a 25% stake which is being supported by a loan from the NRL. If that fails then I can see Western Suburbs taking full control but I doubt they would revert back to the Western Suburbs name.
arnold krewanty
Guest
I don't get supporting a merge team. IMO It's disrespectful to supporters - just look at the poor Steelers supporters seeing their juniors go to play for the Red V each year, meanwhile they are lucky to see "their" club play in the Gong 3 times a year. A Balmain supporter following the West Tigers is a strange one. The intial merge was all about saving two financially struggling clubs. Things have changed since... Since the financial bankruptcy of the Balmain side of the club was confirmed 3 years ago, it's all just rubbish now. The only reason the Tigers name and colours remain is because the NRL won't let the cashed up Magpies owners revert to what the club actually is today - the Western Suburbs Magpies, which is wrong.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Im going to repost what I said in the article of David Lords here. I think its worth it. The media beat up has been ridiculous IMO to the point of overhype of Mitchell Pearces 2016 Aussie Day antics. Riding the highs and the lows of your team is part of the sport. The heartache and the pain. Its why sport is such a popular commodity across the globe. TBH, the Robbie Farah & Jason Taylor sagas werent handled with a great amount of tact but the West Tigers would be paying $800k to a 1million dollars for Robbie Farah next year. A player who can’t nail down a starting spot a his new club and has played 1 good game from his 8 so far this season. That doesn’t exactly seem like a sound recruitment strategy and would keep on ruining the Tigers. Jason Taylor was a poor choice to begin with but I can’t remember what the coaching market was like in 2014 for 2015 and at least he had the nuggetts to get rid of Robbie. THE BIG 4 Aaron Woods is gone, something fans have been screaming for and he really hasn’t been putting much passion in. Moses and his absolute parasite and cheif destroying uncle Benny Elias are gone from the club, who were going to have to pay $800k for a player that hasn’t shown much at all in his 65 game NRL career – yes flashes and glimpses but thats it, has he ever closed out a game? They’ve kept Luke Brooks for less than his previous contract. The only negative is Tedesco – (Losing Teddy obviously sucks). THE NEW BIG 4. All aboard the Ivan Cleary Express Bus, no stops direct to the 2018 finals. Ben Matulino is a great addition, he should be in the prime of his career but unfortunately has had issues. What better way to ressurect a Kiwi test prop than under the coach who got the best out of him? Then Josh Reynolds, easily the most passionate player in the game, affectionately known as Grub by the Belmore faithful he managed to keep most of the grubby aspects out of his game. Now he partners Luke Brooks who played his best games when paired by average but experienced half Braith Anasta. Reynolds also brings a new edge to the Tigers and a passion in the jersey. Next up in the big 4 is a man who has pride and passion in the Black, White and Garish Orange – David Nofualuma, he loves his club and has re-signed for 4 years, he is there through thick and thin, he is a fantastic squad member. THE BOARD & CEO: Controversial? Yes. Lacking Tact? Yes. Too Outspoken? Yes! Successful? Yes! Successful? Yes! Marina Go was appointed in September 2014. Go was appointed in a non-salaried role of Chair and Pascoe poached from the Panthers the following September for the role of CEO. In that time the Tigers have gotten rid of the horrible Blades jerseys and replaced them with a far better supplier in ISC (except for the away jersey this year – my goodness), increased membership from 7,820 to 15,064 through some of the most turbulent times for the JV and have a strong new sponsorship base with Brydens Lawyers and multiple chritable organisations. One thing I do wish is for Go to become a bit less prominent in the media and just keep on doing the good stuff and let the results speak for themselves.
TigerMike
Guest
Well said mate thanks
Stuart McLennan
Expert
Nice Charlie. Still on the bus with you.