Same!! Lining up to get in from around 11.45, with the same people, who I only saw at the footy. Watching the players come through the grades over the years, from U21s (then U23s), into Reserves, then Firsts. Seeing if I could pick the Reserves for 1st from how the Reserve Grade game had gone. Chips and sauce. The Big League - don't forget your pen to record all the tries, goals, penalties, line-up changes. A doubles ticket. Loved it!
The club should market Round 4 v Warriors at Campbelltown as such with both NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg being played before the NRL on the Sunday afternoon 30 March. I think it's our only home game like that this season.
Dragons & Manly rd 1
Me too. I started when U23s weren't a thing. The first game was 3rd grade and there were some cranky old bastards playing that grade. They were basically ex-first graders who'd slipped down through the grades and liked nothing better than to take out their vengeance on up-and-coming young blokes.
Oh no dad's army stuff.
They were great days. It was pure enjoyment trying to pick the up n comers.
And full strength beer
Excellent point. On the rare occasions there are lower grade games before the NRL I go early and the players could hear my conversations because there is barely anyone else there. The majority turn up within 45 minutes before NRL kickoff
My family was the same. There were some of my favourite players who I knew their playing style, which way they preferred passing etc and when I look them up now I am surprised that some of them only played a handful of first grade games.
My Pop was the ARL first grade referee coach, we used to go at least two games a week, all three grades. I could tell you every top 30 player from every team back then. I remember Toovs as a 15yo kid with white hair like mine, not much bigger than me, I was about 12. Pop said everyone say's he’s to small, but Poppy said he’ll play for Oz one day. I got to watch many careers from kids till they turn into crazy coaches. The only way I get that connection now is through perseverance and it’s only with our team. I couldn’t be bothered with other teams anymore.
I thought everyone did?
It's only a message of disunity if you think that way and allow it to dominate your thinking.
Probably because most of the tickets are reserved and, not like the old days, you don’t have to fight for one.
Yes, there aren't thousands of people queing up to watch these games. Some NRL games only get 5-6k. However they get a bigger crowd when playing before the NRL match. And those fans that are there develop a stronger bond to the club.
No you're wrong. The disunity is apparent to everyone bar a few dinosaurs to which you are closely allied.
