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Up Up Cronulla

Messages
717
The Only way is up. Cronulla trudged onto Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday. There brave grey uniforms meant they hit foreign turf to almost complete silence. 6 Black and Blue flags wafted in the breeze unenthusiastically from the rare, loyal breed of Sharks outside the safe surrounds of the Shire. Whilst these flags became over worked somewhat in the first half they were well and truly White by the Hour mark. Campbelltown Stadium has been the home of several despicable outfits over the years. It was a touching moment when some 30 Wests fans formed a guard of honour and applauded Cronulla fans out of the ground at fulltime. Handshakes were shared and heartening words exchanged “We know what it is like to be crap” “ Thanks for Galloway” “ Luke Covell couldn’t outrun Dan Stains”

When Stuart Raper was interviewed in the summer of 2003 he came armed with a profile created an answered by himself.


raper.jpg
http://www.playtheball.com/images/raper.jpg

Name: Stuart Raper
Coaching levels: Very High
Favourite Food: Fish
Favourite Holiday Destination: Wanda Beach
Most Despised Person: Chris Anderson
Favourite Saying: A week is a long time in football
Outside Of Football: Hairstylist
Most Admired Coach: Ken Shine

Needless to say the Cronulla Board was blown away. They Knew Opes had gone mad and spent most his days playing marbles in the hallway of Cronulla leagues whilst testing himself with his toy stethoscope every 5 minutes. Opes was finally put out of misery and dismissed when he started showing video’s during training sessions of his old playing days, as he hit the ball up against Newtown he shadowed boxed furiously before collapsing, drifting into a half conscious state reciting Slim Dusty tunes and Brett Kimmorley’s finest set moves.

Raper proclaimed he would prune the rotten potatoes and bring back the farm. ET became the defensive guru, Eion Crossan the faith healer, Tiaan Strauss the high performance manager, Paul Mellor played average and Peter Costello and Cathy Freeman again attended 0/24 games as the clubs Number 1 Supporter. Raper even indicated to Fox Sports he would like Paul Green to call all Cronulla games.

2109_costello_a.jpg


3 years into Rapier’s reign the rats still rule in Cronulla’s empty cabinet. He still points to his reserve grade title as reason to continue at Cronulla. He still gets up at 6am and works on his complex game plans on clip art. He still picks Phil Bailey.

I don’t mind Cronulla fans. They are not afraid to admit they support a woeful side with players who might best apply their trade in Group 7. They are not Like Newcastle fans, blinded by bias. Cronulla fans pick their side to lose and they usually do. Times are tough, but they will get worse. Raper won’t be sacked, although Royce wouldn’t mind another job.

As I gaze forcefully into the Future I can see Stuart Raper tucking a ball down towards fine leg, and walking through for a single. He will punch the air with delight, Phil Bailey will give him a hug. He will raise his bat to all corners of Caltex Field, 50 years of similar endings bought up for the Cronulla club. The pitch is flat and the batsman look set.

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Cheers.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
Ahh my favourite!

Whenever things look bleak Mr CDF will be around with a forthright and typically starchy analysis

Well done Mr CDF.
 

InsaneShark

Juniors
Messages
66
It was a touching moment when some 30 Wests fans formed a guard of honour and applauded Cronulla fans out of the ground at fulltime. Handshakes were shared and heartening words exchanged “We know what it is like to be crap” “ Thanks for Galloway” “ Luke Covell couldn’t outrun Dan Stains”

That sounds very familiar, Im sure I was apart of that...

Very well done.
So very true.
 

carcharias

Immortal
Messages
43,120
I am winning the tipping comp ....I have picked The Sharks once.

Nice work...CDF.. but how does one prune the rotten potatoes?
 

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