We'll make your life hell, Brett
Josh Massoud
11 March 2009
BULLDOGS CEO Todd Greenberg last night issued an urgent plea for his fans to spare Brett Stewart from the vile abuse their heroes copped five years ago.
Armed with long and bitter memories from the 2004 Coffs Harbour sex scandal, sections of the Bulldogs Army have vowed to mercilessly shower Stewart with taunts should he take the field for Saturday night's clash.
The
Manly fullback was last night charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl and a final decision on whether he travels to ANZ Stadium will be made this morning.
Hardcore and resentful Bulldogs fans, however, are planning to make Stewart's nightmare complete if he plays.
Some supporters have been buzzing in cyberspace about venting their frustrations from five years ago at Stewart. Along with Bulldogs players, supporters were also hit with unfair and derogatory slurs for years after the Coffs Harbour case was closed without any charges being laid.
Posting on popular
Bulldogs chat site The Kennel yesterday, Dogg Stiel said: "I'm going to act like an animal on Saturday night . . . after getting the wooden spoon and years of frustration from the media, I'm going to let out my frustrations." Top dawg added: "We've copped it for the past six years . . . payback is a bitch."
The prospect of fans abusing Stewart - who has denied the allegations - with unsavoury and foul remarks has been foreshadowed by ANZ Stadium officials.
It was discussed at yesterday's pre-game briefing with Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg and extra security is being considered to monitor what is expected to be a 20,000-plus crowd.
Speaking to
The Daily Telegraph last night, Greenberg issued an urgent plea for calm among the blue and white faithful.
"After a week of negative and divisive media coverage for the game, I encourage all Bulldogs fans to get out to ANZ Stadium on Saturday night and create headlines for the right reasons," Greenberg said. "Our supporters are conscious of the difficulties and sensitivities involved with off-field allegations.
"All Bulldogs supporters will be acutely aware of the hard work that this club has undertaken in regards to our off-field image and public profile in recent months, the players are doing their bit, and I urge all of our supporters to play their part by acting responsibly and behaving appropriately."
Despite calls for him to be stood down until the police investigation is complete, Stewart was last night named at fullback for the clash.
Sections of the Bulldogs fanbase also joined Greenberg to try and convince fellow supporters to turn the other cheek.
"We didn't like it a few years back, let us be the fans who come to the game to support our own players and not the fans that jeer and boo," a supporter called ***mh*** posted on The Kennel.
"We are the better club. Let Manly get into their own trouble, we don't need to go looking for it."
Another supporter, dogkat, agreed, but doubted some fans would be able to contain their emotions.
"Well said. I am so over hearing opposition players call our team rapists etc," dogkat wrote.
"But unfortunately I think it would be too much to hope for, that people can hold back from giving him a serve."
An ANZ Stadium spokeswoman last night confirmed that fans guilty of offensive behaviour would be dealt with.
