The unique phenomenon of sports rivalries

There is really nothing else that can quite capture the feeling you get from wholeheartedly believing in a sports team or player. The feeling of wanting them to succeed at all costs.

It’s something intangible that you can’t control or properly explain. Something that can be completely irrational. Something deep down inside of every one of us fans that just wants the team we love to crush all rivals.

The introduction of the Dolphins into the NRL this year has given me (a die hard Brisbane Broncos fan) a fresh personal perspective into these rivalries.

Rivalries of course aren’t limited to the NRL. I think about the Wallabies and All Blacks. Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the F1 arena. The legendary rivalry of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The list is infinite.

These rivalries then bleed into relationships in day to day life. They often make even the most level headed of us do or say things totally out of character. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of ill fated tattoo bets among friends that see the loser forever branded with the mark of a team they despise.

I was there Round 4 at Suncorp Stadium to see the much hyped sell out “Battle of Brisbane”. It saw the first clash of the new Queensland rivals fighting over the symbolic ownership of the hallowed Lang Park turf.

Jamayne Isaako is tackled. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

As great as the game was, the lead up was just as engaging.

So-called Broncos supporters were jumping on the Dolphins bandwagon. Dolphins fans waltzing around yelling “phins up” at the supermarket, the schoolyard, the pub. Dividing allegiances among families. Mate against mate. The country was simply buzzing about this match. It was outstanding.

Battle lines were drawn for a friend who’s husband suddenly decided that the Broncos, who he was a lifelong fan of, were suddenly on the outer. Maroon and gold in the bin and the red was in.

Her and their two children who remain true to their Broncos roots were certainly seeing red. There were talks of changing the house locks and exiling him out to the shed. I rather liked my suggestion of moving him to the pool where his “phins” could be put to good use.

My dads chosen rival is often not one from the opposing team. He is a fairly quiet man under normal circumstances but when we sit at Suncorp that persona goes out the window.

The ref and touch judge are the ones in the firing line. “Where’s your glasses mate” is one of many clever sledges that come flying out in their direction.

Then there’s one of my work mates. He is a serial performer of the irritating Viking clap which is synonymous with being a Canberra Raiders supporter.

Last week leading up to the clash of my Broncos and his Raiders I let his repeated performances of the Raiders tradition bait me into agreeing to a good old fashioned jersey swap bet.

Ha! Easy bet! Brisbane were unbeaten and flying high sitting atop the ladder; Raiders were languishing in the dungeon.

Oh dear, oh no. It did not end well for me. An entire day wearing that lime green monstrosity in public will be one of the most dejecting experiences of my life.

To the non sports fan you’d think “big deal”. Those of us who bleed the colours of our team understand the horror. That is sure to be a fun experience this weekend.

And lastly let’s talk about the players themselves.

In the lead up to the “Battle of Brisbane” both coaches attempted to deem the match as not being overly significant.

Brisbane coach Kevvie Walters played down the clash to the media the week prior claiming “I haven’t even thought about next week”.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The stadium full of fans and Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs certainly didn’t seem to agree with that sentiment.

77th minute. Match in the balance.

Staggs collects a grubber kick in the Dolphins in goal and starts evading defenders.

He runs the length of the field to score the match winner. Red “Phins” rain down from the top tier. Staggs declares Suncorp Stadium as “our f**king home”.

Broncos fans rise as one. Dolphins fans drop, heads in hands. Pure elation and utter devastation in equal measures.

A new rivalry was alive.

It’s moments like these that make sporting rivalries an unmatchable life experience for me.

Unexplainable, irrational, euphoric and at times heartbreaking, stressful, soul crushing experiences.

How good.