If you’re a fan, you ride the highs and lows of the team you support. I have to be honest and as much as logic doesn’t agree with me I’m like Mitch and some others and have a dark cloud hovering over my mood as long as the team is in this predicament. The sport of rugby league wouldn’t be the the billion dollor entertainment that it is if people could easily distance themselves emotionally from the results. Books, movies and other mediums have this effect also. We get engaged and absorbed by the story and it doesn’t always have a happy ending. The benefit of supporting the eagles is that we have become accustomed to quality football teams that achieve success.
It is particularly difficult when a long off season creates feelings of hope and expectation albeit sometimes unfounded or unsubstantiated. We can blame Barrett, blame Bozo, blame the Penns, blame DCE, blame the NRL, the fact remains our team was middle of the road in the eyes of the most die hard. Sprinkle some injuries and unplanned drama and we’re now fighting for our dignity.
Consider that the winger that replaced the winger that replaced the winger is now injured and you start to appreciate the rare territory facing Barrett and the boys. Other teams in recent seasons have had their season end within the first month for different reasons. Roosters of 2016, Parra of what seams like every year. Imagine following the Titans, Tigers, Panthers, Raiders, Warriors, Knights and the forum whipping team, the Eels, when was the last time these teams had an absolute genuine chance at the title. Even the raiders of a few years back had to contend with the Storm and others. I’m talking serious and not surprising favouritism. Take your time... it took the rabbits Russell Crowe, Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess after 43 years of heartache. Thurston with all his might took ten years between grand finals.
We don’t suffer these problems but by Cliff Lyons it still hurts.
