Round 4: Bulldogs Vs Dragons

[Mr BuLLdOgS]

Bulldogs Vs Dragons

Game Thread

Please note - This is a game thread only, therefore only game posts can be made here (Teams, Articles). Any other posts will result in loss of points.

**Referee Blows Game On!**

Full Time: Wednesday 18th June, 2003. 9:00PM AEST

Referee: Mystique

 

[Dragon Fanatic]

Dragons Team:
1.Dragon Fanatic
2.LeagueNut
3.Saint Firman
4.Broncoman
5.Rooster_Fan

Reserves
1.Oh When The Saints
.The Knight Ryder

 

[Z]

NEVER FORGET THE BOY FROM TINGHA

Nathan Blacklock. Some people in the rugby league world have described him as cowardly, traitorous and gutless for his move back to rugby league, with many of them frustrated with his inability to stick to a contract.
He has stated that he regrets "running away" from league and that he doesn't "know what he was thinking", however I believe that every single Dragons fan around the nation have no form of anger towards Tingha for returning to his club, and are proud to have him back in their colours.

After a brief and forgettable stint for the NSW Waratahs, Nathan has returned home, right where he belongs, in a red and white jersey bearing the St George Illawarra Dragons emblem, and after three appearances in the premier league, which has resulted in a try in each, will take the field this Friday night against the Newcastle Knights at Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle, a return that has been long overdue.

Many people all around the rugby league world are stating that they will always remember Nathan as "the guy who couldn't stick to a contract" and "the traitor who ran away to union", however I will always remember him as the little black winger who got my heart racing every match with his rare talent and speed off the mark , the excitement and pleasure he brang to a game of football and the way he played this great game called rugby league with a sense of enjoyment and passion in what he was doing both on and off the field.

He was always one of league's "good guys" who was continuously trying to promote the game of rugby league to the best of his ability and always seemed to make time for it during his busy daily schedule.
Who will ever forget the time he selfishly spent the night with a young Dragons fan in his home, ate a meal with his family and generally tried to make this young kid feel like something special, all the time knowing that he wouldn't gain anything from it, simply doing it out of the goodness of his heart.
How many current NRL players do you know that have gone out of their way to make one person feel important ? Not many are there.

If we want to get this game back to what it used to be many years ago, the premier sport of the nation, players, coaches and various other officials need to put themselves out a little and get out to the grass roots of the sport, the bush, and start promoting it to the very best of their ability.
Paul "Fatty" Vautins bush football tournament a few weeks ago was a perfect example of this, however players have to do some things behind the scenes to get the game up and running to it's full potential once again.

Nathan Blacklock's attendance of a small family's evening meal was a good example of this and I can only hope that more players in the competition will follow his lead and do the same in the not to distant future.

Hopefully Nathan's turmoil filled journey has come to an end, as he is proud to be home and has promised that he will not let anyone down. I know you won't let us down Tingha, because you never have in the past......
He was something special when he played in the past, and there is no doubt that he will be something special in the years to come.
Welcome back Tingha we're proud to have you back, and we'll never ever forget what you gave to this club ........
And that's all I have to say on the issue ........

620 Words

Cheers.
Saint Firman. 8)

 

[Dragon Fanatic]

THE FIRST TEAM
Dragon Fanatic(c)
St George Illawarra Dragons
The first complete team to switch to the professional game was Marrickville second grade rugby union team, which had won its division the previous year (1906). Marrickville is an inner Sydney suburb close to Newtown.
The team played McIlrath's, a retail grocer and importing company, in the curtain-raiser to the second New South Wales - New Zealand "professional rugby" game at the Royal Agricultural Ground on August 21, 1907.
It was a brave and striking venture, particularly in view of the Rugby Union's attitude to players joining the Rugby League movement. The Marrickville club was not suspended by the Rugby Union, nor were the players disqualified immediately.
Three days later, on Saturday, August 24, the Marrickville second grade team played their final competition match of the rugby union season. Nine of these players played first grade rugby league for Newtown in 1908.
None was named in Marrickville's second grade team for the first match in that year, indicating that the team had been the first to cross en masse to rugby league.
One of the tryscorers for Marrickville was winger Jack Scott, who in 1908 played with Newtown and became the first tryscorer in Rugby League in Australia. Scott was a Sheffield Shield cricketer, a fast bowler who played for both New South Wales and South Australia.
He became a Test cricket umpire and officiated in both the 1936-37 and 1946-47 Test series between Australia and England. He became embroiled in controversy in the latter series.
While officiating in the Third Test in Melbourne, he ruled English opener Bill Edrich LBW to Ray Lindwall when most players close to the wicket believed that Edrich had played the ball onto his pad.
Later in the day, Scott gave Denis Compton out LBW when he did not play a shot.
The opinion of most was that Compton was well clear of the leg stump. Many years later, Scott admitted emotionally to cricket author R S Whitington that he had been suffering severe pain and had taken twelve aspirin to enable him to officiate.
Why the Marrickville and McIlrath's players were moved to line up for the curtain-raiser cannot be determined, except that they sympathised with the plight of the rugby player.
It's unusual that two entire teams should place their future in rugby union in such jeopardy when there was no certainty that the new game would even by played the following year.
The landmark match was arranged by Joe Edwards, a rugby league sympathiser of the time, and who, in the first year of the game, became Newtown's assistant-secretary. He became secretary in 1909, succeeding James Giltinan.
McIlrath's was described as a Wednesday half-holiday business house team. Marrickville won the match 21-0, Powell and Scott scoring two tries each, and Williams one. Young kicked two goals and Scott one. Marrickville finished the 1907 RU season eighth in a competition of 19 teams.
Though argument may rage as to the first registered club in Australian rugby league, there is no doubt that Marrickville and the men from McIlrath's were the first to join the new movement.

Words 514

 

[Rooster_Man]

The Start of the NSWRL
Rooster_Man
St George Illawarra Dragons
In early 1908 the New South Wales Rugby League announced that it's competition teams would be playing "rugby" under the rules of England's Northern Union 13-a-side game - later to be known around the world as the game of rugby league. It is likely that this decision was based on two reasons: 1/ the wider attractiveness of this form of "rugby" and 2/ it meant that there was potential for international competition between representative teams of the two isolated competitions.
South Sydney were in active training in the new game by early-March of 1908, holding sessions in Moore Park adjacent to Alf Pick's Hotel (now known as the Bat and Ball Hotel). On March 21 at Sir Josephs Banks Ground, Botany, Souths played a Possibles v Probables game in the first (known) game of rugby league on Australian soil.
On the weekend of 20 April 1908 eight newly formed clubs took part in the first round of the NSW Rugby League's premiership - Balmain, Eastern Suburbs, Glebe, Newtown, Newcastle, North Sydney, South Sydney and Western Suburbs. A ninth club - Cumberland - was formed later the same day and made their debut in the next round.
The first round of the competition was played as two "double-headers" in front of small crowds at Birchgrove Reserve and Wentworth Park. Being Easter Monday, the League could not use its more publicly accessible Agricultural Ground (Sydney Showground) due to the holding of the Royal Easter Show. Crowds were affected by the Easter Show itself (80,000) and also the Sydney Cup race meeting (30,000).
At Birchgrove Reserve, Balmain over-ran Wests 24-0 and Souths beat Norths 11-7, while at Wentworth Park, Newtown beat Easts 32-16 and Glebe defeated Newcastle 8-5. In the two lower grades that day there were also teams representing Enfield, Sydney and Drummoyne.
Cumberland made their inaugural appearance in front of a crowd of over 20,000 against Souths (losing 23-2) - the game being a curtain-raiser to the Australia v NZ Test.
As the season unfolded the "gun" sides Easts, Souths and Glebe set the pace, Cumberland and Wests struggled and the rest held the middle ground. Newcastle's performance was hampered as they were not allocated any home games and had to travel to Sydney each round to play. While international games drew big crowds the premiership itself was not as popular with some games being played out in front of friends and family.
In an effort to attract interest, mid-season the League announced that at the completion of the club rounds a further "semi-final" round would be held involving only the top four teams and there would be a Final between the top two teams for the title. The winner of the two semi-final games received two more points to their season tally. Fortunately for the League the two top teams, Easts and Souths, won in the play-off round (even though their best players had left with the Kangaroos that same day) and the unusual finals system passed without controversy.
The Final was held in front of about 4000 fans at the Showground on a bright and breezy afternoon. South Sydney led 8-7 at half time and got away to 14-9 in the second half. Easts fought back and scored a late try in the corner. The difficult conversion went wide and Souths held on to win 14-12 and take the NSWRL's first premiership title.
Despite the poor crowds at club games, the gate receipts from representative games kept the League alive. In late 1908 Cumberland's season long struggle was put to a merciful end when the club was closed - they won one game, produced one representative player and on occasions had trouble fielding 13 players. Of the 24 players they had nine later joined Western Suburbs for the 1909 season.
The Sportsman published a generous review of rugby league's first season in Australia: "There is no doubt that the new rules provide far and away better football for players and public alike, and while being more spectacular, the game is not nearly as dangerous as the old game, as will be noticed by the absence of any serious accidents during the season." South Sydney were well revered as well: "They play the kind of football that delights the public taste, having a clever lot of backs behind a rattling set of forwards. The success of the League now largely depends on the ability of our representatives to win matches in the North of England."

Words: 745

 

[Zef]

Parra Bulldogs
Zef

YOUNG MAN, GENERAL, D.CKHEAD, KING

THE LATE 70’s :

Wise King Bullfrog summons a red haired young man to his palace and makes an offer he can't refuse: "Come and join The Berries young man," the King says, "I'm gonna make you a star."

But in the early years, the young man who would be is only as brilliant as he is fragile. His critics righteously accuse that whilst he excels in attack upon a retreating enemy, his temperament is found wanting under siege from a rampaging horde. He polarises The Berries Kingdom; the conservatives abhor, the adventurous adore.

Wise King Bullfrog smiles patiently.

For as the 70's draw to a close, the young man who would be begins to be. First he learns how to tackle – and man does he learn how to tackle. Then experience begins to reap a glint in the eye, a firm jaw and a straight back.

By decade’s end, both The Berries and the "fragile" young man have evolved into something more assured in both themselves and each other. Something a little more… ominous.

THE MID 80’s :

Wise King Bullfrog and his Bulldog Empire rule the Rugby League world both on and off the battlefield with an iron fist. Friend and foe alike cower in fear of earning The Wise King's displeasure and so the wrath of his loyal red haired General and the sadistic Dogs of War.

The General is a leader of leaders, the best of his time. He struts the battlefield with a glint in the eye, a firm jaw and a straight back. His enemies fear and loathe him with a prejudice; his loyal Dogs obey and defend with an absolute ruthlessness.

At his cry of "Havoc", The General slips his Dogs of War and the despairing enemy is consumed in a blood, bone and viscera orgy of swarming and mauling umbrella defence, gang tackles, stiff-arms, head-slams and whatever other assorted acts of violence required to “finish the job”.

And so for nearly three long and painful seasons, the feared General and his loyal sadists ruthlessly enforce their King's will and wrath throughout all corners of the Rugby League world.

It's just not a good time to be an enemy of The Bulldog Empire.

THE MILLENIUM :

The new Bulldog regime of Evil King 'Orrible and his stupid mates are loathed by many throughout The Empire who still mourn the usurping and later death of Wise King Bullfrog. And events would soon unfold to validate this contempt… But that's another story.
Meanwhile, the once feared General has amassed a small fortune selling a stupid game to a "niche" market. But many in The Empire sadly wonder if this really is the life for a leader of leaders. For a General shouldn't be flogging Shuffle-Boards to the near-dead, a General should be commanding the resolute.

And even sadder to bear is the babbling, giggling, embarrassing spectacle the once feared General tends to make of himself more and more frequently on FOXTEL.

For many true-believers, thoughts turn back to a time when a man with a glint in the eye, a firm jaw and a straight back strutted the battlefield with pure menace at his command…

And they wonder how this d.ckhead could've possibly been the same bloke.

LATE 2002 – PRESENT

The mighty Bulldog Empire teeters on the abyss. Evil King 'Orrible and his stupid mates are in disgrace and exile, the palace is in ruins and even the fearsome Dogs of War have been brought to heel.

It is The Empire's darkest hour - The desperate hour, the hour for a man to step forward.

But when that man does step forward - which man is it? Is the fate of The Bulldog Empire to rest in the hands of the "fragile" young man, the General, or the D.ckhead? He polarises the Bulldog Empire; the conservatives abhor, the adventurous adore.

Somewhere in Bulldog Heaven, Wise King Bullfrog smiles patiently.

For the hour has forged a man of and for the times. A man with a glint in the eye, a firm jaw and a straight back. A leader of leaders…

A King of Kings.

So now at the dawn of a promising new age for the Bulldog Empire, enemies whom despairingly wished their salary-cap wounds to be fatal, now cower in fear of being remembered.

For wise King Turvey smiles ominously... it's just not a good time to be an enemy of The Bulldog Empire.

… You have been warned.

750 words (title inc), by my count.

 

[LeagueNut]

2. LeagueNut
St George Illawarra Dragons
............................................................................................................

International Eligibility … It’s not right!

Ahh, the representative season. The joys of watching the greatest game of all stepping up several gears. Every season brings its surprise re-calls, selection bolters and - of course - eligibility wrangles.

Earlier in the season, Panthers rookie Joel Clinton was touted as a possible selection for New South Wales - probably not for this year, but certainly someone to be looked at a year or two down the track. And then he managed to take the first step towards Origin honours with selection in the New South Wales City team.

But Joel Clinton is still eligible for both Australia and New Zealand - and that’s where this particular case starts to bug me.

Asked if he wanted to become a Kangaroo or a Kiwi, Clinton said “All the boys are asking me who I’d play for, but I just want to concentrate on the little things first”.

Personally, I reckon that’s fair enough for a young bloke just starting to get noticed by the representative selectors. But this next one:

His football career has been similarly chequered. His Christchurch-born Mum - his ticket to a Kiwi jumper if he can’t grab one in his home state - wouldn’t let him play until he was twelve.

That isn’t right!

Having the mentality that a Kiwi jumper is an easier way to play representative football for those who couldn’t crack the Australian team cheapens the value of the black jersey enormously. Former Kiwis captain Matthew Ridge gave both barrels (and then some!) to Brad Thorn when he rejected the advances of the Kiwi team to play for the Kangaroos … and then when it suited, he was suddenly a Kiwi again to pursue his dream of playing for the All Blacks.

To me, straight away that means “Well f**k you pal”. He’s a Kiwi but he’s too good to play for the Kiwis. What sort of message is that sending to us … he’s saying the Kiwis suck.

Tonie Carroll is another prime example. The Kiwis came knocking, and he declined. After playing several Origin matches for Queensland, he signed a contract in England … pretty much ending his representative career. Then all of a sudden he’s happily switching allegiances to the Kiwi team to enjoy a World Cup tour - and now that he’s back in Australia, he sees no problem with switching back again. In his defence, he cites the unusual eligibility rules that were a feature of the 2000 World Cup, which basically said players can play for whoever they want to without it affecting their international chances in their ‘home’ country.

For the sake of international football, there obviously has to be some exemptions and ‘relaxing’ of the rules when it comes to emerging nations with a limited player pool to draw on. Kevin Campion and Luke Ricketson have both played Origin in recent years, yet have represented teams other than Australia at international level.

But there is absolutely no earthly reason why Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain should employ any of these tactics.

International football should be about pride - pride in your jersey and pride in your country. Tonie Carroll changed his mind twice because the system allowed him to. Brad Thorn chose the Aussies - but could ‘magically’ become a Kiwi when it suited him. There is absolutely nothing to be proud of here.

Joel Clinton - and any other player who finds himself in the same position - please just make a clear-cut choice and stick to it. It’s much more rewarding to achieve your goals rather than settle for second best.
............................................................................................................

617 words. Matthew Ridge quoted from his book, "Take No Prisoners".

 

[broncoman]

broncoman
Dragons #4

Riverina’s Greatest Ever Player

Eric Weissel was born in the small New South Wales country town of Temora in 1903. Although he only played 8 test matches for Australia from 1928 to 1932 he is still considered as one of the greatest players of all time.
During Weissel’s 8 test matches he scored 1 try and kicked 15 goals. His career also included a Kangaroo tour, during Australia’s trip to England in 1929 - 1930 he played 20 games, scored 15 tries, kicked 56 goals for a total of 127 points.
He was best known for playing in one of the most famous Australia versus Great Britain test matches. Game 2 of the 1932 Ashes series in Brisbane is widely recognized as the toughest and most brutal contest between to the two nations in the 100 years of Rugby League.
During the match Weissel suffered an ankle injury which at the time was suspected to be fractured. It was proved to be just a bad twist at a latter time. However he played on during the match in great pain, even kicking a number of goals.
What made the game so famous was the number of injuries in the match. Weissel’s team mates Dan Dempsey, Ernie Norman and Frank O’Connor all suffered serious injuries but played on. It is regarded that if modern day players get these injuries now would all be out for an extended period.
Weissel played his whole career in the Riverina, mainly for his home town of Temora. He also played for Cootamundra and the Wagga Magpies. In all 3 clubs he is highly regarded as an all time great. Temora (which is also the home town of Trent Barrett) was his great love. In fact his love of the town was the main reason he never played in the NSWRL. At different stages of his career he rejected offers from clubs such as Balmain, Wests and Newtown to join them. Even at the peak of his career
teams in England approached him. But he loved the area so much he wouldnt leave at any price.
All sections of the media raved about his performances at varying times. The Sydney guardian described him as “A genius of the game” and “The greatest the game has seen”. Even English captain Johnathon Parkin said Weissel was a magician on the field. During his short test career the English feared him more than any other Australian player. Combined with Balmain great Vic Hey, he was at his best. When the two were pitted together Australia were at their lethal best.
Weissel captain-coached the Wagga Magpies to two premierships in 1939 and 1940. He left Temora a year prior because of business reasons, Wagga was an obvious choice as the economical centre of the Riverina. Also he could continue his Rugby Leagues career rather than if he had moved to somewhere like Albury.
The biggest honour of his life was when the major oval in Wagga Wagga was named after him. “The Eric Weissel Oval” is the biggest and most prominent oval in the area. It has even hosted a test match, the one off test between Australia and Papua
New Guniea in 1998. The other representative match it hosted was the City versus Country match in 2002. It has also hosted a number of NRL games, Pre Season matches, Amco cup and Mid Week matches.
Eric Weissel died at the age of 69 in 1972. He still lived in the Riverina region at the time. His legend will always live on for all young players and budding superstars in the area.

605 words

 

[Mr BuLLdOgS]

Mr BuLLdOgS - Posting for the Parra Bulldogs

NB: With all the drama thats been happening with the team and not being able to determine what is happening, i havent had time to write anything and won't tomorrow eiter as i have work, school etc.. I have decided i will use a post that i wrote earlier in the year about the bulldogs side and the World Sevens, i know its outdated and all, but its better than nothing and im interested to see what sort of marks it gets on here because it didnt score too high on rleague.




World Sevens

With less than 2 weeks remaining until the World Sevens, and team coaches naming their sides.
It was expected that Steve Folkes would opt to put a "weaker" side onto the field and he did, rather than selecting superstars like Hazem El Masri, Nigel Vagana, Braith Anasta, Brent Sherwin or Willie Mason. Overall, Folkes has selected an inexperienced side with the majority yet to make an appearance in first grade for the Bulldogs. The side that Folkes has selected is: Matt Riddle, Jonathan Thurston, Ben Harris, Todd Polglase, Brett Oliver, Sonny Bill Williams, Adam Brideson, Jamie Feeney, Shane Marteene, Andrew Ryan.

Without getting into specifics of each player, I believe that this side offers a great balance for the Sevens format of the game while protecting the Bulldogs key men who are not so suited to Sevens from injury. It also satisfies the Bulldogs fans who have been dying to see the likes of Matt Riddle, Sonny Bill Williams and new recruit Andrew Ryan in the "big time".
Folkes has achieved this by mixing speed, youth and mobility all in one.

However the Sevens is not just about Bulldogs fans, but league fans. Some might argue that names like Anasta and Mason should be present because the greater Rugby League community wants to see them in action; and Folkes has robbed them of this. But the Bulldogs, like all clubs, need to look after their own as well and a compromise needed to be found.

Turning back to the 1995 World Sevens Competition, the Bulldogs lost Steven Hughes with a lengthy injury and he has never been fully fit since. Going back further, Canberra lost one of their best ,Mal Meninga , who suffered his 3rd break competing in the sevens competition in 1988 which cost the Canberra side dearly after a Grand Final appearance in 1987. These are just two instances where needless injury had long-reaching effects and is why I agree with Folkes playing it a little safe. Winning the Sevens is not what the Bulldogs are here to do, they are here to win the premiership come September.

All this aside, I personally think Folkes' side is great, even though it is a little disappointing not seeing some of our best running around on the field after many a month missing them run around on the weekend. From the clubs' goals point of view, Steve Folkes didn’t pick this side because he was being selfish by not letting the best guys have a run, he did it because he doesn’t want any unexpected lengthy injuries just to play a competition that isn't part of the major goals for 2003. I think most would agree a fully competitive Bulldogs is who they want to see, whether it's to see them win or to knock them off without the "we had major injuries" stigma.
None the less it will be a great day and an unforgettable experience for the players and also the fans. I’m looking forward to seeing my team run out onto the field and giving it their best shot. Win, lose or draw, It should be a great couple of days. Even though it is the supposedly ‘Weaker’ team I look forward to seeing them proving some of the doubters and opposition teams wrong with exciting and enterprising play.


BRING ON THE SEVENS!!!

 

[The Engineers Room]

*DvdHntr – Parramatta Bulldogs*

What Ever Happened to…?

Since the creation of the breakaway league in Australia over 95 years ago, the game has evolved greatly. Drawing parallels between teams and players of the initial periods of the game and current superstars is just not possible without some kind of bias for either. But have all the changes to the sport been for the better or for the worse? Are some of current rules inhibiting the enhancement of the game? To answer these questions, it would be prudent to highlight the major changes in the rules and the league in general. And so I ask “What ever happened to…?”

The play the ball

In the early days of the creation of the breakaway league, one of the most important issues was the ruck and maul situation of traditional rugby. The newly professional players realised that from a spectator point of view these were messy and so the decision was made that the ruck be replaced by a mock rucking situation called the play the ball. The play the ball was the tackled player and the first marker fighting it out for the ball with their feet. Once the ball cleared the ruck area the dummy half or second marker could pick it up and the game would continue. Although the odds were quite heavily in favour of the tackled player, it at least gave the defenders some chance to regain possession. If the defence offered no marker the tackled player could play the ball ahead to himself. In recent times, striking for the ball in the play the ball by defenders has become illegal, removing a dimension of the game that added interest.

The five minutes in the sin bin

An important rule in earlier years of Rugby League was that of the sin bin indiscretion that earned a five-minute rest. Many administrators and commentators complained that the sin bin was being used far too often and so the five-minute period was removed. However, with the removal of that option, the only alternative for a professional foul is a ten-minute stint in the sin bin, which makes no sense. Nothing was achieved by removing the rule except making the situation worse. In the current game fouls of the type that would cause a sin binning go only punished by a penalty. This is because the referee is mindful of the problem that sending a player away for ten-minutes would cause.

The metres back rule

This rule has changed from the original 3 yards, which promoted tough pounding contests. The second amount was five metres, which promoted more flair and back line play but still gave the forwards a great role in the game. The next change was to ten metres, which made the game like touch football or more closely resembling sevens football. The current rule also allows ten metres, however, the rules on where the ten metres is counted from and when the players can start to move have been altered to closen up the two sides again. Of the available options the current rule probably holds the most interest for the spectator as it encourages both strong forward action as well as flamboyant back line plays.

Stealing the ball

This was once an art form but now is virtually outlawed. The reason being that it detracted from the style of the contest and was another backward step towards the messy ruck and maul days of the Rugby Union.

The expansionist policy of the administration

Although the state of Rugby League here and abroad seems not to be of great interest to current administrators of the game in Australia, this was not always the case. In fact looking at the amount of expansion teams present in the current competition, it is obvious that expanding the game was a priority to the administrators. Even the creation of the City-Country and State of Origin fixtures shows that they had a vision of promoting the game right across Australia. On the subject of the State of Origin, it too was used to promote the game to Melbourne (before the storm entered the competition) and into the American market (played in Veterans Stadium, New York in 1987)

So the game has changed and it will change even more as it continues to age. For the sake of the preservation of the greatest game of all, it is a hope that the best parts of this league will survive and the parts that are lacking be improved.

(749 words – Including title)

 

[Vaealikis Girl]

Vaealikis_girl #4 Parra Bulldogs

WHY RUGBY LEAGUE IS THE GREATEST GAME EVER!

Have you ever wanted to meet your favourite celebrity? I think it’s pretty safe to say that nearly everyone has wanted to meet someone at some stage in their life. To get a photo or an autograph or just say hello. For many of us, including myself, these people are the guys who we go out to see every week, who we lose our voices cheering for, and who we support no matter what.

We all know why football is a great game, the suspense, the action, the fast play and the hard hits, but what really adds to the greatness of the game is the way these guys acknowledge their fans. The truth is without supporters these guys couldn’t do what they do and what better way to repay the fans then to give them their dream of meeting their favourite player or watching their team train or just being around the guys who mean so much to them. What other sport can say that they do as much for the fans as rugby league!

No matter what team you support, throughout the year there are always many opportunities to get out and meet the boys. They are never too busy for their fans. After every game there are fans waiting behind the dressing sheds and the players seem only too happy to sign autographs and take photos. I’m an Eels supporter but have stayed behind to meet a few other teams, and even though I was wearing an opposition jersey, they have all been happy to have a bit of a chat and sign away. People can say what they like about the game but nothing will change the fact that these are great guys. You only have to look at the amount of charity work they do to realise that.

I’m sure many people got out to their team’s annual Christmas party and have been to training sessions, fan days and as many games as they can possibly get to. We have all been counting how many points our team needs to make the final series and track their performances each week. This time of year team’s are busy training hard for the second half of the season and trying to improve or retain their form but still manage to bring the fans into what’s happening. Supporters get the chance to meet all the new guys that have come to their team, checkup on injuries and see how the other boys are going, and if you’re an Eels supporter check out all the new hairdos, especially Nathan Hindmarsh’s. While I don’t really hear much about other team’s fan days I’ve had a look around on their sites to see what’s been happening and as expected there are a large number of functions for the fans including season launches at the start of the year which included meeting the new squad, seeing the cheersquad perform and a jumping castle for the kids.
Fan days where supporters can watch their team train, get autographs and listen to live music. The kids can also get involved with junior coaching clinics, face painting and rides.
Store appearances to sign posters and other items for their fans. The Newcastle Regional Show is held at the start of the year. Fans can meet the Knights and the cheersquad. It also includes rides and other attractions.
The one that I enjoyed at the start of the year was the Parramatta Eels Celebrity Sevens Fan Day this Saturday. The whole 2003 Eels squad were there as well as games and rides for the kids. There was also be a Celebrity Sevens match with the first grade squad, Eels legends and coaches and celebrity water boys. The World Sevens trophy was on display.

What more do footy fans need!!! Keep an eye out for your team's appearances during the year and get out to support the boys! After all they do so much for the fans. I can’t see a better argument as to why rugby league is the best game ever!



676 words

 

[ozzie]

BONG BONG - THIS GAME IS OFFICIALLY OVER - CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PLAYERS

 

[Mystique]

Dragons

Saint Firman
Never forget the boy from Tingha
The Nathan Blacklock story – really good and just needs a little care in the editing to make it a very readable piece.
Score: 7.7

Dragon Fanatic (c)
The First Team
Historical piece. Good research but lacking direction.
Score: 7.4

LeagueNut
International Eligibility … It’s not right!
Clearly puts forward a strong point of view. Well argued and direct.
Score: 8.4

RoosterMan
The Start of the NSWRL
Popular topic at the moment.
Score: 7.9

Broncoman
Riverina’s Greatest Ever Player
Player profile with interesting back ground information.
Score: 7.9

Total: 39.3


Bulldogs

Zef
YOUNG MAN, GENERAL, D.CKHEAD, KING
Geat title, and a well written entertaining fairy tale.
Score: 8.4

Mr Bulldogs
World Sevens
Short and sweet comment on using up and coming players in the Sevens instead of established League stars. Good point, well made.
Score: 8.2

DvdHntr ***
Whatever Happened to...?
Fascinating look at how things have changed. Very easy to read, very professional.
Score: 8.5

Vaealikis Girl
Why Rugby League is the Greatest game ever!
I liked this a lot because, the way it is written, it’s very readable and flows nicely.
Score: 8.1

Total: 33.2


Dragons win the round and player of the match goes to Dvdhntr

 

[Dragon Fanatic]

Great work boys, akways thought we had them.

 

[Mystique]

Due to an official complaint and a determination by the management, the following match scores have been amended:

Dragons
Saint Firman
Never forget the boy from Tingha
Score: 7.7 - unchanged

Dragon Fanatic (c)
The First Team
disqualified

LeagueNut
International Eligibility … It’s not right!
Score: 8.4 - unchanged

RoosterMan
The Start of the NSWRL
disqualified

Broncoman
Riverina’s Greatest Ever Player
Score: 7.9 - unchanged

Total: 24.0

Bulldogs

unchanged
Total: 33.2

Amended score: Bulldogs 33.2 - 24.0 Dragons

The match is belatedly awarded to the Bulldogs and Dvdhntr is still Poster of the Round