I was not at the game yesterday. Thank God for small mercies.
However, I was very vitriolic at to the performance of the team and a couple of players in particular on this and other forums.
Yes, frustration played a major part in that, watching made me wonder what has become of my once proud club. A club my father played for, a club where many heroes had donned the Big Red V, a club where football history was created with 11 straight premierships. It was not anger, just pure hear felt frustration of seeing my team turn up its toes at such a momentous occasion. Some of our past champions would be turning in their graves.
However, in saying that, I do reserve the right to chastise any player who I think isn't doing his job. Be that our highest paid player, or our lowest, our captain or a rookie. We have no problem in waxing lyrical of someone who plays well, but to criticize when they play bad seems taboo. Sports people in the public eye have to accept that fans with love them one day and loathe them the next. It's the nature of the beast.
One thing I will say is that verbal or physical abuse of players directly, be that at the game or on their private social media is akin to gutlessness, particularly with the knowledge they have to "take it on the chin" and not rebuke in any way.
I truly hope, I mean really truly hope, we bounce back next week and run in 50 against the Knights. I hope ALL our team who runs out on Saturday plays at 100% intensity, belying any talk of being a spent force this year.
Unfortunately, under McGregor, that task seems herculean in nature, even if he injects fresh talent into the squad.
Apologies to anyone who took offence at my ranting yesterday, but as I said built out of frustration and the thoughts of times gone by.
Dragon for life!