Let me start by saying I am open to the idea that I might be a bit weird.
I love my sport, my kids (most of the time) and my wife (some of the time). As it is the quietest part of the year I thought I would write about the weird sporting loyalties I have built up over a lifetime and put it out there to The Roar community.
Some boring background. I was born in Christchurch and now live happily on the beautiful Gold Coast. There are not many of us Kiwis on the Gold Coast so sometimes I feel isolated and alone in my loyalties.
Obviously I’m a Crusaders and All Blacks fan first and foremost. Now come the odd ones – and some of the reasons why.
Aus/NZ
Super Rugby: Crusaders…then any Kiwi team especially against the Aussie teams, even Auckland.
NRL: QLD in Origin and Cowboys, Tigers because I rated Big Paul Sironen back in the day and the Warriors when they are in form.
AFL: Lions/Swans and in the final I cheer for the non-Victorian team… I still struggle with the Eddie McGuire factor. And I just can’t get on the Suns/Titans footy train. The Suns are that bad and the Titans signed Jarryd Hayne.
A-League: Roar and the Phoenix – I know, the Pheonix. I was nearly a Mariner this year so it could be worse.
Sheffield Shield: Who cares… I joke – QLD. In fact if I could I would support the QLD team over the Australian team, but thats another article.
USA
NFL: Green Bay Packers: I was on the Brett Favre bandwagon despite his performance in There’s Something About Mary.
NBA: Chicago Bulls…back in the Jordan/Pippen/Rodman glory days.
Major League Baseball: New York Yankees, because I’ve been to Yankee Stadium. I saw a college football game there but thats beside the point.
NHL: The New York Islanders because I went to a game where they got pumped but hey I’m a loyal fan.
English football
Fulham: Only tickets I could afford when I was living there, the MJ statue that used to be there was spectacular (strange but spectacular) – it’s already been a tough season.
Wigan: My Grandad was there goalkeeper centuries ago, they’ll be up in the PL next season.
I think that about wraps it up. What do you think roarers? What are some of the weird loyalties you’ve built up over the years? I think my next piece might be the opposite… who do you love to hate and why?
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
Ethan, I have English routes but there is a true satisfaction of beating the Ol enemy. Appreciate the crusaders support when they're on they're on. Argies I'm still deciding.
Mick Kelly
Guest
Used to be black and white - any Australian or Queensland team. Although not sure if that still applies to the cricket, they're working very hard to be unlikeable. As mentioned above, always room for the Storm, because they're the qld team the titans should be.
ethan
Guest
Any team playing against Sydney/NSW teams. It's a given for a Queenslander. Any team playing against England. I can't explain it. Why are they so unlikable? The ABs beating everyone else is good cause it makes me feel less terrible about our results against them. But then its bad because it feeds their confidence, which just makes them harder to beat. I wish the Crusaders weren't my favourite NZ team because they always win, and it feels strange not rooting for the underdog, but they are just too damn good to watch. Oh and they had the greatest player ever, Dan Carter. The Argies are my second supported international team. They are the underdogs, they are southern, and they have an attractive jersey. They never seem to wear that attractive jersey when playing in Australia though, so they deserve a thumping every time they visit. The only Melbourne team I'll support is the Storm, because they are practically QLD.
Joel Sheppard
Guest
Nice read, but even nicer calves... PS, don't really like the supporting of non-Victorian teams in AFL statement, feels a bit personal.