Stewbum
Juniors
- Messages
- 606
As a boy growing up in the early 1980s I of course followed the most Important competition in the world - the Brisbane Rugby League. And even back then I was a contrarian, I lived on the south side of Brisbane but chose as my till death do us part team to follow - the "Be on a winner" Redcliffe "BP" Dolphins.
I also watched with intrigue this other football on tv once a week and had initial childish inclinations towards the Newtown Jets. That was until I saw the fluoro green. From that day on I followed two teams, one 50 kms north, and one 1500km south.
I grew equally passionate about the two teams' fortunes and loved the connection between Brisbane clubs and the Raiders. I proudly wore my Woodgers jersey everywhere and donned matching socks for good luck every time they played.
With the advent of the Broncos I grew more fierce in my support of the Raiders than even the Dolphins. I hated the Broncos for destroying the local comp.
At the time of the war I became disillusioned and had my own car so made a fortnightly pilgrimage to Dolphin Oval. I leaned again more heavily to the mighty Phins. I attended my last Raiders game at ANZ Stadium (Brisbane) and put up huge banner at the stadium which perplexed as many as it angered - "Bring back the Lime Green ARL Raiders!!!!! - Superleague Sucks!" it cried.
The split and the new jersey somehow changed me. My Raiders were no longer existed. They had traded the Lime for Baby shit green. The stars of my youth had also retired, and the links to the BRL clubs had seemingly ended. I lost all interest in the Raiders and followed the South Qld Crushers until their demise. They had Qld players - they had REDCLIFFE Players! I also followed Wests in the ARL until their demise. I was at the final Crushers game V Wests wearing a Wests jersey underneath my Crushers jersey. My Woodgers though almost in rags, kept neatly folded at home.
After the war the war it was Redcliffe only.
Then to my shock one day the Broncos signed a deal with Redcliffe. I began to see my heroes like Shane Perry don a Donkeys jersey. They won a premiership. I was there! I cheered for them. A side I'd hated since 1988.
Around then the Raiders brought back the Lime and a I felt flicker of feeling in my heart. But it faded. I watch them with good will but that is all I can muster.
I've travelled to Canberra to see games.
What can the Green Machine do to re-win the love of a Queenslander?
Perhaps thumping Cronulla this weekend will be a start?
I also watched with intrigue this other football on tv once a week and had initial childish inclinations towards the Newtown Jets. That was until I saw the fluoro green. From that day on I followed two teams, one 50 kms north, and one 1500km south.
I grew equally passionate about the two teams' fortunes and loved the connection between Brisbane clubs and the Raiders. I proudly wore my Woodgers jersey everywhere and donned matching socks for good luck every time they played.
With the advent of the Broncos I grew more fierce in my support of the Raiders than even the Dolphins. I hated the Broncos for destroying the local comp.
At the time of the war I became disillusioned and had my own car so made a fortnightly pilgrimage to Dolphin Oval. I leaned again more heavily to the mighty Phins. I attended my last Raiders game at ANZ Stadium (Brisbane) and put up huge banner at the stadium which perplexed as many as it angered - "Bring back the Lime Green ARL Raiders!!!!! - Superleague Sucks!" it cried.
The split and the new jersey somehow changed me. My Raiders were no longer existed. They had traded the Lime for Baby shit green. The stars of my youth had also retired, and the links to the BRL clubs had seemingly ended. I lost all interest in the Raiders and followed the South Qld Crushers until their demise. They had Qld players - they had REDCLIFFE Players! I also followed Wests in the ARL until their demise. I was at the final Crushers game V Wests wearing a Wests jersey underneath my Crushers jersey. My Woodgers though almost in rags, kept neatly folded at home.
After the war the war it was Redcliffe only.
Then to my shock one day the Broncos signed a deal with Redcliffe. I began to see my heroes like Shane Perry don a Donkeys jersey. They won a premiership. I was there! I cheered for them. A side I'd hated since 1988.
Around then the Raiders brought back the Lime and a I felt flicker of feeling in my heart. But it faded. I watch them with good will but that is all I can muster.
I've travelled to Canberra to see games.
What can the Green Machine do to re-win the love of a Queenslander?
Perhaps thumping Cronulla this weekend will be a start?
