I've played a thousand games of different team sports since I was 6.
Weekends and at school.
Can never remember laughing and joking on the field after a loss.
Maybe it happened....but sure as shite can not remember it.
Doubt it would've happened after a last minute loss like that.
However, it does seem the norm in the modern game.
Good thing I guess that at the end of it all....its just a game. But I can understand supporters questioning the smiles.
I hear what you are saying and your sentiments certainly applied back when I was playing as well.
The reality of modern football is that players change clubs so often they do become friends with many opposing players from different clubs, so catching up after a game is probably more courteous than anything else. I also believe that it is literally the only time the players can really say G'day to each other as well.
Newcastle would have got their commitments out of the way and straight onto the bus home, no mucking around.
When we played the Broncos some years ago and beat them in Brisbane, all of the supporters really fired up at the upset win. I spoke with Phil Bailey about the great game and he said that it was just another 2 points and they were now concentrating on playing Canberra the following week. Unlike us supporters, the players take a far more measured approach to wins and losses.
That's when my eyes were opened to the life of a professional footballer.