In 2010, the death riding was like nothing I've ever seen before. The media and other clubs were really out to get us, the reasons are still uncertain. It may have had something to do with Bennett winning in Sydney, or more likely a long ingrained hatred for St George.
It was a new depth of unprofessionalism from the media and opposition clubs. The closer we got to the grand final, the worse it got.
No doubt the Fox coverage was swept up in this and the commentary became toxic as a result.
Yes, there’s always a level of contempt I’ve found. Gould getting away with calling us “the pretty dragons” most weeks during the Brownie era. Then we were “boring dragons” when Wayne was here.
But as you say the level of obvious dislike near the end was ridiculous. Upsetting the fairytale tigers / roosters GF applecart probably didn’t help.
Historically speaking my theory on the dislike in general is this. Indulge me …..
A generation of fans were brought up by parents that hated Saints for winning 11 in a row. Understandable in truth. That generation’s children (who already disliked us and moreover disrespected us due our late 80’s slump) were probably loathe to see us make GF’s in the 90’s, moreover were probably knocked out of semi finals football at some point by Saints. Anyone leftover, if there was ….. probably felt let down by momentarily supporting ‘that team’ that lost the first GF to a QLD team and then VIC team with the narrative at the time being “get behind the NSW team”.
I mean …….. that’s just one theory, per chance I’ve put too much thought towards it over the years