Last Saturday, I had a stupid idea. I’ve often been told there is no such thing as a stupid idea, but I assure you, that’s not true.
This particular stupid idea wasn’t stupid because of the idea itself, for the idea is pure genius.
No, it was stupid because it promised to annoy a lot of rugby league fans.
Granted, that’s not a very difficult assignment. Rugby league fans love getting upset. They will throw their toys out of the cot if you give them even half a chance. They love firing up, and they love whinging.
Which brings us nicely back to my stupid idea: ranking all the NRL teams based on the propensity of their fans to whinge. Hey, I did warn you it was stupid!
So based on some robust data and analysis, I present the NRL Whinging Fans Ladder.
16. Titans
Gold Coast fans definitely whinge the least.
Sure, it’s hard to whinge when you don’t actually exist, but you can’t be punished for not existing.
Otherwise we’re going to get into weird existential debate, and we’ve already wasted enough words on a team that’s going to win two wooden spoons this season. Let’s move along, shall we?
15. Roosters
Again, hard to whinge when you don’t exist.
Settle down, Chooks fans, I’m just joking. There’s actually plenty of Roosters fans out there, they just don’t like going to the footy. But I will give the fans credit for one thing: you barely hear them whinge.
Of course, they don’t really have much to whinge about. They’re the defending premiers, are experts – ahem – of the salary cap, reside in the greatest city in the world, and a generally just a model of absolute excellence. If Easts fans can find a reason to whinge, I tip my hat to them.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
14. Bulldogs
Doggies fans’ main gripe is thinking Todd Greenberg is out to get them. The rest of the competition think that Greenberg gives the Bulldogs preferential treatment. Go figure.
Other than that, these fans are traditionally pretty rational and stoic. Good-looking bunch too.
13. Warriors
Warriors fans usually only complain about their own team or players, but it’s still whinging.
There’s also the occasional moan that they get screwed because they’re just the ‘poor cousins from across the ditch’.
Show me the lie, Woe Woes…
12. Storm
Melbourne fans don’t actually whinge that much. What they do whinge about is other fans whinging about them. And considering that’s a lot, Storm fans whinge a lot. Even though I just said they don’t whinge that much.
My head hurts.
11. Broncos
Brisbane fans should be a little disappointed in themselves; they should rank a lot higher than this. They’ve been pretty consistent in their whining over the years, but when you see the powerhouse teams ahead of them, it’s hard to argue with their relatively low ranking, well outside of the top eight.
Lift your game, Broncs! We know you’ve got it in you!
10. Panthers
This is outrageous. Tenth? For Penrith Panthers fans? I can’t possibly be serious?
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, the fact is that it’s a really talented field, and I just can’t justify having Penrith any higher. Think I’m off my rocker? Fair enough, I am. But tell me which club’s fans ranked above Penrith that you’re kicking out?
One rule: it can’t be your team.
See?! It’s not easy!
9. Eels
Parramatta fans should be well used to disappointment, so just missing out on the eight feels about right.
I thought they would finish higher, and that’s simply based on the amount of arguments I’ve had with Eels fans about Mitch Moses. My absolute favourite was the time a Parra fan – straight-faced – said Moses was not a bad defender. Never mind the fact that Canberra had just belted them, with the Raiders forwards running over Moses for four tries. In the first half.
Anyway, there is a lot of potential here, so don’t count out the Eels next year. Which sounds eerily like something you’d hear in the actual NRL. Every season.
8. Raiders
I didn’t think Canberra would rank this highly. I’ve always thought there was a charm to these fans’ despondent nature.
Then I was introduced to the almighty chip on their shoulder. His name is Bruce, and he’s a big lad. He talks a lot about how the NRL, refs, Channel Nine, NSW, Queensland, Fox Sports, God, and everyone else, all hate Canberra and don’t want them to do well.
And now I know why the Raiders fans are held in such high regard in these sweepstakes.
7. Rabbitohs
South Sydney owner Russell Crowe had a book created which details all the grudges the Bunnies have with every other club. Called The Book of Feuds, it’s essentially just one big, bitter whinge, and all but guarantees Souths a spot in the Whinge Finals every season.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
6. Cowboys
North Queensland fans really are living on past glories, I must say. The only reason they still rank this high is because they haven’t thrown out their tin-foil hats from the days of believing the NRL and/or referees wanted to dud them in every finals game.
Of late, they’ve been a bit quiet by their standards. Having said that, if I had let go of Kalyn Ponga, signed Ben Barba, and had to listen to Paul Green press conferences, I’d probably keep my mouth shut too.
5. Sea Eagles
Even Manly fans will admit this is far too low. I can only assume that the team’s unexpected brilliant performances on the field this season are playing havoc with supporters’ habitual need to rouse on absolutely everything. That weird sensation you’re feeling is called happiness, guys.
Natural order will be restored when local boys Jake and Tom Trbojevic, bolt for more money. Hopefully at the Bulldogs.
4. Sharks
“Flanno did nothing wrong!”
“Gallen isn’t a grub!”
“The peptides scandal was a beat-up!”
“We don’t want to move to Perth!”
“Josh Dugan isn’t injury prone!”
“Andrew Fifita is misunderstood!”
“Damian Keogh was set-up!”
“The Panthers sold us a dud in Matt Moylan!”
Cronulla fans are quality whingers – a perennial top-four team in this department.
3. Dragons
St George Illawarra fans are a bit stiff to not even crack the top two. They bring the thunder every single week. For sheer consistency alone, you would have thought they would finish higher than third spot.
When one of your own fans writes an article proclaiming Dragons supporters are the biggest complainers, you have to take notice.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
2. Knights
What the hell is in the water in Newcastle? These guys would complain if they won the comp!
Well, I’m guessing they might. It’s hard to definitively say, seeming as they haven’t been in a grand final since *checks the numbers again* 2001.
To be fair, the Knights were wooden spooners in 2015, 2016 and 2017. They just sacked their coach. And Nathan Tinkler’s foul stench stills hangs over the club.
Hmmm, upon review, fair enough, Novocastrians – whinge away.
1. Wests Tigers
I need to tread carefully here, as all my beloved in-laws are Tigers tragics. However, I’m only going off the responses I got to my tweet last Saturday.
The replies overwhelmingly had the Tigers taking our top spot on the Whinging Ladder, and who am I to argue with Twitter? It’s always been an environment where rational, intelligent and balanced conversations occur.
I will add that there is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the team I had in mind as I wrote that tweet was the Tigers. None whatsoever. Zero. Zilch.
The duad
Guest
Its funny how there seems to be an extraordinary large amount of whingers saying Souths supporters are the biggest whingers. Funny that.
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
BA, speaking of percentages, the author asks a question & one respondent alone accounts for 22% of the 138 posted comments. Therein lies the answer to his curiosity.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Unquestionably the Storm have been the most professional organisation, the most consistent club with the best systems and structures and the most success developing talent as if via assembly line. There are a lot of positive Duncan, I'm not denying that. There are also some very big negatives. Going back to the salary cap rorting period that was the basis for the Storm's dominance during that period and layed the platform for future success. Add to that the introduction of the wrestle and jiu-jitsu into the game slowing down the momentum of their opposition and Cam Smith's stalling tactic of talking to referees and seeking "clarification" of pretty obvious calls. Then delaying goal line dropout restarts until the NRL had to change the rules to stop both tactics. Of course all other clubs have tried to follow suit rather than be left out of the contest but the game has suffered since cynical exploitation of the rules became accepted as a valid tactical strategy.
Nat
Roar Guru
Again mate, you can carry on as much as you want, play the victim if you need but I don't get taken off topic. You make the statements you back them up. 'Disprove my conspiracy theory' aha 'check mate'. Is this the first time I've brought this up? No. Have you been able to back up any of the outlandish statements you've made? No. You can't even back up half the gibberish on this very thread. Case in point right above. "I am not accepting the recent AFL-owned, Melbourne Storm biased statistical report either." Your happy to quote NRL stats but now it's come to your attention they are an AFL owned (49%) stats company (since 2013) you jam on the tin foil hat. Is it only truth if it comes from Sydney organisation? Your sources are the New Idea of the league world.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
If we're talking about the truth, it's like Griffin said in the paper today. Melbourne are the best team over the last 15 years and other clubs don't like it. Simple as that. No conspiracies, just good old envy.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I grew up in Redfern in the 70's in the housing commission flats behind the old Redfern oval scoreboard. I went through the public school system in Redfern and Surrey Hills and I came out of it OK and can string a few words together no problem. AND I have all my own teeth and I'm not toothless. So I'm living proof that stereotypes and generalisations don't always paint an accurate picture. That said it was just a joke mate. But if the shoe fits I'll wear it. Btw, you could have been a little more appreciative of the Broncos supporter who gave you a light. Saying Thanks wasn't too much to ask, surely? ;-)
David
Guest
Snob.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Norths
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I don't know what is more surprising BD. The ingratitude of the Eels supporter or that the western suburbs haven't discovered how to make fire! Bahahahahahaha
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The "Like" was for the first point. The most annoying supporters are QLDers during Origin, the Roosters when they are over the salary cap (2013 - 2019), the Storm boys who won't see reason and Manly fans when they are winning.
Doug Graves
Guest
In all the years I've been following league I think the Dragons are the biggest whingers by far. We never hear the end of it, season after season, they're always whinging about how they're a big club and they should be winning premierships even though they've only won 1 in the last 40 years and that "Premiership" only occurred by happenstance because the far and away best team wasn't competing ! Tigers fans whinging I can understand though, because apart from their real 2005 Premiership and 2010/11 Finals runs, the merger has been an unmitigated disaster both on and off the field. At virtually every step the merger has botched almost everything it's done from farcical player recruitment, endless mediocre coaching merry-go-rounds, constant board room dysfunction, The Tigers leagues club debacle, endless late season fade outs, etc,etc ad nauseum. The fans have a right to feel like they've been given the "Hoppa" treatment and I don't blame them for whinging, Dragons fans on the other hand should just suck it up and except that their club isn't that special (but we all know they won't).
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
THANK YOU! THAT is the point elvis. When I first started contributing to this forum it was a mutual admiration society and people wouldn't dare disagree with a "Guru's" opinion. If they did it became a "pecking party" and there were pitchforks and flaming torches and cries of "Kill the Beast!" Much more fun this way, don't you think? Banter is the key to breaking down barriers and even if we disagree it doesn't have to become personal. And NO Nat, I DON'T have a link for that.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
A woman who is already pregnant and going through a gestation period can still conceive and fall pregnant? Really? Well, I never heard of that Milton. She still would only be 100% pregnant though. She wouldn't be 300% pregnant if she was carrying triplets! We tackle ALL the BIG issues here on the ROAR sports fans! LOL
elvis
Roar Rookie
The Storm were first to have a boat. That definitely counts for something in the evil stakes. And for most annoying supporters, St George wins by the length of the straight.
elvis
Roar Rookie
If Papi didn't comment who would be have to argue with? It would be a lonely old forum if everyone only made considered serious replies.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Yes she can. If a woman is acting as a surrogate and pregnant with the child she is 100% pregnant. So then if she then falls pregnant with her own child, she has to be more than 100% pregnant right?! This can happen....
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
So you admit it was hyperbole then? You are always so literal about everything Milton it's hard to think of you having a lighter side. Well, it saved me from having to ask you if it was possible for a woman to be anything more than 100% pregnant!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No Nat. I express my point of view (real or otherwise) just like everyone else here. Often I will reference a supporting link that either supports this view directly, as I did with Paul Gallen's view about Cam Smith getting away with more than most other players in the ruck and play the ball. Otherwise I will post links to prompt discussions and base my argument around. YOU do neither! The fact that I frequently post links to supporting references while almost everyone else does not seems to work against me as I am asked to quote sources when most others are not. Hardly fair Nat, now is it? What I find particularly annoying though (for example in the case of my arguments that the Roosters are over the salary cap) is when I lay down detailed arguments and post references to supporting sources which are then ignored until the next time I bring up the subject and I am asked to provide the same sources AGAIN! Nat, I have done this already across a couple of sites at least half a dozen times and, contrary to popular opinion or perceptions, I don't catalogue my posts for easy reference just in case I am challenged on the SAME issues and arguments again down the track. Now, it's YOUR turn. Stop stalling and reference YOUR sources that disprove my arguments and I am not accepting the recent AFL-owned, Melbourne Storm biased statistical report either. You will have to dig deeper Nat. Tick tock, tick tock. I'm waiting!
Nat
Roar Guru
Again, utter gibberish followed by Check Mate. You do love the idea of winning more than having the ability too. Tell me how Quid pro quo applies here? Are you doing me a favour to fact check your statements. Isn't it 'logic' that those who make the statements back them up? You keep saying you reference sources more than anyone else but after I challenge you to back up those claims you want me to do the work you're incapable of - because you can't. "Prove me wrong" on a vague assumption is a long way from winning. Most of us who make these type of comments support it by some sort of reasoning (right or wrong), you make s..t and tell people to prove you wrong.
Tom
Guest
Warriors should be right up there with the Cowboys - exactly the same victim mentality.