dangerousdave
Bench
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- 4,204
As someone at the game last night with a large group of friends, I will say that we knew about it during the game (partly due to social media). I understand that many fans wouldn't have, but there wouldn't have been many 'happy' Storm supporters leaving the ground last night following the sin-bin/send off fest that occurred at AAMI Park last night.
Most of the discussion post-game leaving the ground and onto the trains was about how "the refs persecuted us" and how the game wasn't fair. I'll be the first to admit that Storm supporters can be one-eyed and that we don't always understand some of the more obscure rules of the game. BUT if we've already got supporters thinking that we got persecuted and then the NRL is seen making an obvious mistake in regards to the timekeeping it just supports their belief that the 'Storm got screwed by the NRL'.
It's the second week in a row when many Storm supporters feel like it's 'Storm vs the NRL' after Cameron Smith's suspension last week. Whether it's an accurate presentation of the NRL or not, it's how Storm supporters feel which will impact how many people go to the upcoming games.
While it is laughable that Melbourne suffer any negative bias from the league, your point about the potential impact on crowds is valid.
Conversely, a misguided siege mentality in a 1 club town could reinforce the fan base.