- Joined
- Feb 16, 2008
- Messages
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Howdy Kennel-Sirs and Kennel-ettes,
Long time no rant eh?
The TL;DR version of me is, I'm much busier with life these days but I do lurk a lot without posting (I like to 'soak in' threads, but I find that harder these days so I just observe). Anyhoo, that's not why I'm here. We can catch up later and there's more pressing matters at hand.
So without further ado .... Gather round the campfire. Uncle CK has a story
You see ... this year in particular, I've noticed an increasing rise in frustrations from some fans, varying from constructive criticism to spectacular emotional meltdown. For some, patience is wearing thin and for others it may have eroded completely under the urge of 'waiting for a Bulldogs premiership'.
Personally, 'that noise' annoys me and I avoid it. Whether we're winning 12 games straight (2012) or in race for the spoon (2008), in the bottom of my heart I know I will always love this club. Sure, I might hate what's going on right now, but who am I kidding ? I'll be back next week, next year, just like everyone else. With that in mind, the idea of week-to-week frustration doesn't marry up with the 'loyal, 30+ year supporter' in me. I wont lie though ... there certainly was a time when that used to be me (2005-2007), so I understand how one gets here. Simply put - Expectations are not being met and frustration emerges. That happened to me during that era.
What I learned during our darkest days, is that players come and players go, but it's the fans and the history that endures. Time has taught me that some of the greatest moments as a fan have occurred during times of great uncertainty and frustration.
- The frustations of our season in 95 (finished 6th) are forgotten because we triumphed against adveristy.
- The loss of the GF in 98 is tempered by our historic "charge from 9th" and consectitve extra time heroics.
- The heartache of losing our 2002 points is forgotten by those who galvanised and supported the club regardless. Anyone who went to out last round win that year will tell you "yeah those days sucked but man that day was the best !"
- The satisfaction that came with 2004, after 2002 & 2003 !!!
- Our collective let down after 2008's spoon, SBW's defection and general state of affairs .... was met with a rebirth in 2009. Led by a new batch of recruits and a CEO who'd pull our tarnished names from the mud and prove you could in-fact polish a turd, we bulldozed our way back into contention as a powerhouse of rugby league. I went to 12 games that year, culminating in being part of 35,000 strong Bulldogs Army and about 100 Kennelers at our downfall against Parramatta. F*cking awesome times !!!
That day changed me forever ... In my eyes, we were united. All 35,000 of us, marched into the battle draped in blue and white, and with the full furry of voice and hope, we stood tall, stuck out of our chests and said "Here we are. We're right behind you !"
I remember the faces. SO many faces.
Some faces I'd seen all year long and, on the big day, there they were again packed with extra hope -It helped me feel at home.
Some faces we're new and I could tell they were drawn by the irresistible pull of "Bulldogs Army on Tour" - It helped warm my heart the future was in good hands.
Some faces I'd seen once or twice - It filled me with happiness thinking "good, I'm glad they made it too".
So if you've come this far you're wondering :Yeah CK but how does that apply to me ?
Well I'll tell ya ....
Right now, in Rd 24 2016, our little Bulldogs boat is in a race to the line with other boats. If we're honest about our boat, it aint the fastest, it aint the sturdiest, and even though it's pretty sturdy to get the job done, it appears to be leaking. And now's not really the right time for leaking I know, but we got not other choice than (a) work with it, or (b) sink. If we take on anymore water, we may not beat the other boats.
We can't buy another boat now. We have to work with this boat. The last thing this boat needs right now, is thousands of people complaining about how much the boat sucks. If you hate the boat so much you wanna get off and swim to shore, that's fine. I'll see you next year with a new boat and we can try again then.
But right now, tonight ... with last years premiers led by the "great-one-we-let-get-away" JT, ask yourself ... Am I gonna help get this boat to the island in September or not ?
I'm urging you : THROW YOURSELF INTO THE CHALLENGE !!!
Defy the odds.
Defy the chorus of naysayers.
Defy the taunts of opposition.
Defy them all with a big f*cking middle finger and shit-tonne of blind faith !!!
If shit hits fan, and we eventuallly bomb out in September ... you can take away pride, loyalty, fearlessness and honour, as your legitimate fan badges. Nobody can ever tell you that you havent done the hard yards !
Win or lose tonight, we ARE playing finals footy - That's a fact.
What are you gonna do fellow -Kenneler ?
Who's standing at the front of this boat ?
Who's turn is it to hurry up and bail water from the drowning naysayers, so we can cheer solid for 90mins ???
If that's you, and you're taking it upon yourself to be that fan in the boat, I'm with you.
Screw the life-vests, we stay here until it either makes it the whole way or goes down, and we'll do it together.
Dogs by 8points tonight !!!
(*pelvic thrusts and leaves forum*)
Long time no rant eh?
The TL;DR version of me is, I'm much busier with life these days but I do lurk a lot without posting (I like to 'soak in' threads, but I find that harder these days so I just observe). Anyhoo, that's not why I'm here. We can catch up later and there's more pressing matters at hand.
So without further ado .... Gather round the campfire. Uncle CK has a story
You see ... this year in particular, I've noticed an increasing rise in frustrations from some fans, varying from constructive criticism to spectacular emotional meltdown. For some, patience is wearing thin and for others it may have eroded completely under the urge of 'waiting for a Bulldogs premiership'.
Personally, 'that noise' annoys me and I avoid it. Whether we're winning 12 games straight (2012) or in race for the spoon (2008), in the bottom of my heart I know I will always love this club. Sure, I might hate what's going on right now, but who am I kidding ? I'll be back next week, next year, just like everyone else. With that in mind, the idea of week-to-week frustration doesn't marry up with the 'loyal, 30+ year supporter' in me. I wont lie though ... there certainly was a time when that used to be me (2005-2007), so I understand how one gets here. Simply put - Expectations are not being met and frustration emerges. That happened to me during that era.
What I learned during our darkest days, is that players come and players go, but it's the fans and the history that endures. Time has taught me that some of the greatest moments as a fan have occurred during times of great uncertainty and frustration.
- The frustations of our season in 95 (finished 6th) are forgotten because we triumphed against adveristy.
- The loss of the GF in 98 is tempered by our historic "charge from 9th" and consectitve extra time heroics.
- The heartache of losing our 2002 points is forgotten by those who galvanised and supported the club regardless. Anyone who went to out last round win that year will tell you "yeah those days sucked but man that day was the best !"
- The satisfaction that came with 2004, after 2002 & 2003 !!!
- Our collective let down after 2008's spoon, SBW's defection and general state of affairs .... was met with a rebirth in 2009. Led by a new batch of recruits and a CEO who'd pull our tarnished names from the mud and prove you could in-fact polish a turd, we bulldozed our way back into contention as a powerhouse of rugby league. I went to 12 games that year, culminating in being part of 35,000 strong Bulldogs Army and about 100 Kennelers at our downfall against Parramatta. F*cking awesome times !!!
That day changed me forever ... In my eyes, we were united. All 35,000 of us, marched into the battle draped in blue and white, and with the full furry of voice and hope, we stood tall, stuck out of our chests and said "Here we are. We're right behind you !"
I remember the faces. SO many faces.
Some faces I'd seen all year long and, on the big day, there they were again packed with extra hope -It helped me feel at home.
Some faces we're new and I could tell they were drawn by the irresistible pull of "Bulldogs Army on Tour" - It helped warm my heart the future was in good hands.
Some faces I'd seen once or twice - It filled me with happiness thinking "good, I'm glad they made it too".
So if you've come this far you're wondering :Yeah CK but how does that apply to me ?
Well I'll tell ya ....
Right now, in Rd 24 2016, our little Bulldogs boat is in a race to the line with other boats. If we're honest about our boat, it aint the fastest, it aint the sturdiest, and even though it's pretty sturdy to get the job done, it appears to be leaking. And now's not really the right time for leaking I know, but we got not other choice than (a) work with it, or (b) sink. If we take on anymore water, we may not beat the other boats.
We can't buy another boat now. We have to work with this boat. The last thing this boat needs right now, is thousands of people complaining about how much the boat sucks. If you hate the boat so much you wanna get off and swim to shore, that's fine. I'll see you next year with a new boat and we can try again then.
But right now, tonight ... with last years premiers led by the "great-one-we-let-get-away" JT, ask yourself ... Am I gonna help get this boat to the island in September or not ?
I'm urging you : THROW YOURSELF INTO THE CHALLENGE !!!
Defy the odds.
Defy the chorus of naysayers.
Defy the taunts of opposition.
Defy them all with a big f*cking middle finger and shit-tonne of blind faith !!!
If shit hits fan, and we eventuallly bomb out in September ... you can take away pride, loyalty, fearlessness and honour, as your legitimate fan badges. Nobody can ever tell you that you havent done the hard yards !
Win or lose tonight, we ARE playing finals footy - That's a fact.
What are you gonna do fellow -Kenneler ?
Who's standing at the front of this boat ?
Who's turn is it to hurry up and bail water from the drowning naysayers, so we can cheer solid for 90mins ???
If that's you, and you're taking it upon yourself to be that fan in the boat, I'm with you.
Screw the life-vests, we stay here until it either makes it the whole way or goes down, and we'll do it together.
Dogs by 8points tonight !!!
(*pelvic thrusts and leaves forum*)