Don't Be Confused - Loss of Faith and Frustration Aren't The Same Thing
by
Tuesday August 19, 2003

For the second time this season, BroncosHQ, the official Brisbane Broncos forum established and run by BroncoNet, has come under fire in the media.  Or rather, not so much the forum itself coming under fire, but some of its posts being used to illustrate a problem that just isn't there.

Fans Blame Ikin graced the front of the Fox Sports web site after State of Origin 2 this year with some rather heated posts damning Ikin's performance in what was ultimately the series-deciding game. 

Two months later and it's Loss Of Faith For Fans on the front page of the Courier Mail, with a selection of comments following the Broncos' dismal loss to Wests Tigers on Saturday night.  The feature act being a post from yours truly, under the pseudonym Coxy.

"This is the worst Broncos team in our 15-year history. The only players who would make it into teams in previous seasons, statistically, are Shane Webcke and Darren Lockyer."

I said it. And I stand by it. I could go into a deep explanation as to how it was taken out of context, or that I followed it up after a good night's sleep by saying I overreacted to my disappointment, but then why would I waste your and my time by justifying what was put into print on the front page of the biggest selling paper in Queensland?

I wrote it.  Word for word.  I'm not going to deny that. Heck, it's good publicity. Paul Keating and Pauline Hanson made themselves famous in the political arena by saying stupid things and being quoted out of context.

Michael Fedrick, a journalism student who has been a tireless and devoted member of our site all year and who has now taken up a work experience position writing match reports for the Toowoomba Clydesdales web site, won't deny the comments of his that were also posted.

Mick Sharp, who sent through his wake up call to fans to us, which was duly published verbatim, is right.  Fans need to stick by their team. Support it.

And that's where the article by respected Rugby League writer Barry Dick cut us much deeper than a loss to the plucky Wests Tigers ever will.  He questioned our faith in our team.

At the risk of sounding, heaven forbid, unpassionate, I'll let Merriam-Webster take on my argument:

frustration (noun): ... 1b. a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs

faith: ... 1a: allegiance to duty or a person

The first meaning of faith is the only one that can rightfully be applied to Rugby League or any other sporting or other following we have, other than religion. It cheapens peoples' faith in their deity of choice to compare it to your faith in your football team and I wouldn't dare step on their beliefs.

So why does Mr Dick choose to do so with us?  How does he know how strong my allegiance is to my duty as a Broncos fan, my allegiance to the athletes that pull on the maroon and gold each week?  The closest person I've ever met to greatness in Wayne Bennett?

However, after six losses in seven matches, and four successive losses including three to teams we should, with all due respect, be beating comfortably, injuries or otherwise, begins to generate "a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction".  Our "unfulfilled need" as fans for, not necessarily victory, but for the best possible effort leaves us feeling frustrated.

And that's where the comments come from.  Am I about to throw my Broncos jersey in the rubbish?  Cut up my season ticket?  Swear allegiance to the Brisbane Lions? No!

I have, do and will always cheer whoever is wearing the maroon and gold to victory - or glorious defeat.  Even Shane Webcke admitted that the team didn't turn up with the attitude to give the game a shot against the Tigers. "And what is even more relevant was that our supporters, who turned up in atrocious weather, were forced to witness what happens when players don't pack their attitudes with their footy boots."

It's that kind of earnest sincerity that ensures that whatever "best of" team of Broncos I choose, Shane will be one of the first picked.  He acknowledges the fans who turn up to support them, and admits that they let us down. 

Yet we, the very same people who endure freezing, wet, drizzly weather, inept onfield officiating, and the odd domineering security guard with just a slight case of heightened sense of self worth, aren't entitled to express our frustration or risk being branded deserters?

Absurd.

I have a nickname on the Australian-focussed Rugby League Usenet group - Mr Hankie.  I'm known for my outbursts of frustration, indeed, whinging. It's an outlet, a way to express disappointment - to build an emotional bridge and get over it.

You can call me a sook, a crybaby or a whinger.  That's fine.  But don't you dare call me a fairweather fan.

Because no matter when or how our season comes to an end in 2003 - whether it be holding the NRL trophy aloft on October 5, on a night sometime in September or, heaven forbid, before the finals start - which, by the way, won't happen - I'll be there, either physically or by virtue of the TV, adorned by my Broncos gear, waving the flags my wife spent painstaking hours creating, with a tear in my eye, whether it be of joy or sadness.

And I'll be doing whatever I can to get through a painful offseason, itching to do it all again in 2004.

That's part of my life.  That's being a fan.