Tanner Ave : St George - And loving it.
St George Illawarra funeral eulogy by Tanner Ave
For those of you who are supporters of this club and are tempted to be filled with anger... anger towards any one individual because of our loss, I can only say that I feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling.
But we must rally together for the good of our communities, work colleagues and more importantly our families... St George Illawarra, the NRL team with the famous Red V, winner of 16 premierships and home to three immortals. Officially born at Kogarah School of Arts on November 8, 1920. A famous club with expectations of success while holding the core values of honour, loyalty and passion, its history is thick with achievements and honours.
The Dragons as they have become affectionately known, were eliminated on a Sunday night - September 2.
On the day their life support assisted season came to an end, the Dragons were celebrating the great careers of two of their favourite sons, this would be their last campaign. The setting for this elimination was right, the feelings at the end were right, however, it was all at the wrong time. The scenario was planned for at least another four weeks later. But painfully, like many good Dragon teams before them, their season was cut tragically short. Effectively losing their battle for survival.

In the difficult days that followed the death of their 2012 season, it has been a roller coaster of emotion down Kogarah way. Let's ask ourselves what type of supporters we are?
For those that are angry and frustrated, what does that achieve, and why? For those who are sad, don't be! All of the emotions that engulf our proud supporters, all the thoughts of potential evil towards different factions - be it the NRL, the Leagues clubs, or wherever - they must not tear us apart. Instead, bind us together so that we move forward into our future with unity.
We must make a stand. We owe it to the brave souls who went before us, we owe it to the generations to come. More importantly we owe it to Rugby League across the world. Other teams can only dream of the history this club has, they can only dream of the emotions evoked into its supporters as it is in the dragons supporters watching the red V. So we need to set the standard and example in times of trouble. Our passion, pride and loyalty must shine through the impending off season.
For those tempted to turn their backs and for those tempted to vent their frustration, let me implore you to consider the consequences of such actions. Dean Young, ran onto the field in pain for the Red V to be glorified, not ridiculed. Captain Ben Hornby was labelled the greatest competitor by the greatest coach, because of his desire to see the Red V lifted above all else.
Be mindful of these heroes and honour them with the same qualities they have exampled in their careers. Keeping in the front of your mind your favourite memories; Ben Hornby's Grand final catch heroics. Dean Young running onto the field at anytime, making that extra tackle for his team, his fans, his passion.
What we need in Kogarah is not division, not anger, not judgement. What we need is unity. Unity is something we can normally boast about, something that separates us from the rest, be it in Melbourne, the Gold Coast or New Zealand. We need to stand together now like we do at away games, loud and proud of where we stand in history and not on the ladder.
We have had difficult times in the past eras of Nathan Brown and Brian Smith, we may have many more eliminations like this year under Steve Price.
But as they come, so does the next time of premiership glory. With 2010 fresh in our minds, knowing that on any given Sunday, united, we fill Jubilee like pilgrims converge on Mecca or Jerusalem.
Let us stay united in the tough times, our Red V is a symbol of a historic past and a hope for the future, we must dedicate ourselves to upholding the values of that Red V. Values that can't be bought with money, can't be evened out with the salary cap, and is there for all to see on Grand Final day when the true believers are in full voice singing together - out of tune, but in unity.
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