Half of NRL supporters have reached that part of the season where, in the hope of maintaining interest in the finals series, we can choose another team to follow.
The problem is, that is never an easy decision.
We could get behind a club to prove the effectiveness of the salary cap, but the Storm and the Roosters are doing their best to crush the latter argument, so no one outside of those two clubs would ever consider supporting them – unless, of course, they were playing Manly.
The Broncos are another financially favoured team that most are happy to see fail. Certainly no one from Sydney wants Brisbane to win, but if it were Broncos vs Roosters in the finale, even as a Sydney boy, I would be hoping for a giant crack to open up in the middle of the field and swallow both teams rather than see either lift the trophy.
What about the Bunnies? I mean, they have already had their fairy-tale premiership, against the Dogs, at a time when the Burgess boys were loved and respected by most fans. Now most people just see the Burgii as thugs who have gone too far too often. They should never have had 13 players on the field against the Broncos a few weeks ago.
Certainly I would support Souths over the aforementioned teams, but much in the way that I support paying taxes – I understand the need but I’m not going to be leaping up out of my chair when my money goes.
As a Dogs fan old enough to have seen the 1980s rivalry, it would be blasphemous to even consider supporting the Eels. Yet there are five teams I am even less interested in. Plus it has been such a long time between Parramatta grand final wins, and it would be a phenomenal story to have improved so much in just one season, giving us all hope for the future.
Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
That leaves the Sharks and the Raiders. There was the pain of the 1994 grand final, which is partly alleviated by my team’s 1995 win. I guess I could give a semi excited “woo” if Canberra put the Storm down in Week 1.
As for Cronulla, they’ve had their fairytale recently enough, but they are from Sydney and I’ve never had anything against them despite the scandals in recent years.
So, I guess, go the Sharks?
(Try not to be overwhelmed by my enthusiasm.)
Simon Carter
Guest
???????? sorry come again
elvis
Roar Rookie
And they are looking good!
Soda
Roar Rookie
That was the joke. But seriously, what is more mediocre than being a pedant on a website forum like this.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
How's that working out for you?
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
So mediocrity is your thing. Got it.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Absolutely NOTHING - you are quite right, reading any forum is an exercise in interpreting Manglish!
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Aaand the best team did win. Sharks are more like bait fish.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
I was born in Brisbane and lived there thirty years before moving to Canberra - you are quite right. I only ever met Eels and Dragons supporters - I was Dragons because of a relative (Charlie Rice) who played for them MANY years ago. Have been a Raiders supporter for more than thirty years - loving 2019 thus far! Broncos? NEVER! ????
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Great point mate. Since I stopped hating other teams and just started watching games for the spectacle it makes for a far more entertaining experience. Sure I still like to give other supporters a bit of stick, and complain endlessly about Melbourne and Brisbane, but that's just because I'm a New South Welshman and Queenslanders and Victorians are the devil. As for the games, one of the most entertaining I have seen all season was Manly v Melbourne a few weeks ago when Manly got up. Two teams I would traditionally hate, yet an absolute cracking game because I just watched for the love of the sport. If the Sharks go down I am just going to enjoy the games. May the best aquatic themed team win.
kimboinbrisbane
Roar Rookie
Broncos- They are from Qld and Matt Lodge? Using that logic, you can’t possibly go for the Raiders. Remember what Jack Wighton did? I’ll refresh your memory- he put people into hospital during a drunken rampage and the NRL gave him a slap over the wrist with a 10 week suspension and a $30,000 fine. But that’s ok, he comes from NSW, sort of. Lodge didn’t put anyone in hospital during a drunken rampage - he didn’t actually hit anyone ( not for lack of trying). The NRL unofficially suspended him for two years by not allowing a contract to be registered, which means he would have foregone at least $200,000 in contract money. So come up with a different reason for not supporting the Broncos, or declare you’ve changed your mind about the Raiders because of Wighton. If you don’t, have a look in the mirror, and that is a hypocrite looking back at you.
Joshua C Burnell
Guest
can only be the Raiders for me. Now being a Tigers fan 1989 still hurts but I cant help but like the Raiders so they get my support just over The Absetos Eagles The others Roosters and Storm - well obviously not Rabbits - not since they cheated us out of a GF by turning up - scum Eels - Never a team with Mitch Moses involved Manly - Look I actually don"t hate Manly i just don"t so prob not far off and will support them in Sharks - Paul Gallen Broncos - They are from QLD and Matt Lodge
KenW
Guest
I'm on the Raiders. Mostly because as a Dragons fan they're the team that annoys me least... there's no significant losses to them in my memory and they haven't got up for a long time. They're also fun to watch, and an underdog with a genuine shot - so it's a pretty easy one for me.
KenW
Guest
No expert but did spend some time living in Brisbane - seemed to find almost as many Eels & Dragons supporters as Brisbane supporters. Strangely it was really just these 2 Sydney teams that seemed to have significant support. Purely anecdotal of course and perhaps you'd disagree.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
...hahaha.... Foghorn Leghorn : "I say, that Papi Smurf is playing with a full deck alright......he's just really slow at shuffling" :)
Nat
Roar Guru
Why is it "in name only"? They are based in Melbourne and the team they will field this weekend, all but 2 players have only played for the Storm. Go through any Sydney team playing this weekend and find that same stat.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You and me both buddy. Though my support for Rabbitohs is provisional on them doing the job on chooks. Raiders v Souths/Sharks GF would make me and most people happy. Storm v rorters would be the worst GF imaginable for the League.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
I narrowed it down to the Bunnies, Sharks and Raiders DPS. .....but the Raiders get my nod as it's been a long 25 years since their last victory (which just happened to have been against the mighty Bulldogs in '94).
Nat
Roar Guru
I get old rivalries. You missed the point.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
"Possible tepid support" - You've found your team, Elvis.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Souths were over the cap in 67, their title has been stripped. So has St George's 11 titles 1956-66. Easts 74-75, Parra 81-83, Brisbane 92-06. Strip all their titles. The only legitimate premiers since 1908 was Wests Tigers in 2005.