What it Means to Be a Sharks Fan

[DANGA HATCH]

As this Heritage Round approaches and we prepare to meet the 'chocolates', I thought long and hard about what it has meant to me to be a Shark Fan since 1977.

The Panthers story is similar to ours and even though they have a wealth of talent to draw upon and they have won 2 premierships, they like us have done it tough over the years.

I've read many peoples' opinions on this site this year and some of you really give it to the boys. If any of you have followed this team for any time you will realise that we have a side that has always struggled to make the finals. We did have a golden period between 1997 and 2002 when we only missed the finals once and came close many times. Perhaps that explains why so many of the people who add to these forums give it to the current side. You haven't been in the trenches for long enough.

In the 35 years I have been keenly supporting the boys, they have only made the finals 13 times (37%) and in the clubs 43 year history we have only made it 14 times (32%) Supporting this club has always been about patience and perseverance. There will be another golden period so long as we stay true and be passionate about supporting what we have. For me, NO SHARKS means NO RUGBY LEAGUE. I couldn't bring myself to support anyone else.

We are hanging by a thread, and yes some tough questions must be raised about what is currently happening. However, we have to get behind them and support them by getting to the games or becoming members or preferably both. We have to nurture the Juniors and somehow unearth a new ET. Most of our side is made up of imports. One of my favourite ever players was Dave Hatch (my title DANGA HATCH) He was a tough, hard no frills player who led from the front and put in every week. This is the sort of character we must find again.

Anyway what I wanted to finish with is this:
Win Lose or Draw this weekend, get behind these guys. Give them and encouragement and most of all, be patient. That's what it means to be a Shark Fan.

 

[hitman124]

Ive actually lost a great deal of interest in rugby league lately, simply because all coverage, talk and success are with st george, parrmatta, bwogs and manly.

Its really depressing actually, like you said mate,no sharks, no rugby league.

 

[Sharky Pete]

As this Heritage Round approaches and we prepare to meet the 'chocolates', I thought long and hard about what it has meant to me to be a Shark Fan since 1977.

The Panthers story is similar to ours and even though they have a wealth of talent to draw upon and they have won 2 premierships, they like us have done it tough over the years.

I've read many peoples' opinions on this site this year and some of you really give it to the boys. If any of you have followed this team for any time you will realise that we have a side that has always struggled to make the finals. We did have a golden period between 1997 and 2002 when we only missed the finals once and came close many times. Perhaps that explains why so many of the people who add to these forums give it to the current side. You haven't been in the trenches for long enough.

In the 35 years I have been keenly supporting the boys, they have only made the finals 13 times (37%) and in the clubs 43 year history we have only made it 14 times (32%) Supporting this club has always been about patience and perseverance. There will be another golden period so long as we stay true and be passionate about supporting what we have. For me, NO SHARKS means NO RUGBY LEAGUE. I couldn't bring myself to support anyone else.

We are hanging by a thread, and yes some tough questions must be raised about what is currently happening. However, we have to get behind them and support them by getting to the games or becoming members or preferably both. We have to nurture the Juniors and somehow unearth a new ET. Most of our side is made up of imports. One of my favourite ever players was Dave Hatch (my title DANGA HATCH) He was a tough, hard no frills player who led from the front and put in every week. This is the sort of character we must find again.

Anyway what I wanted to finish with is this:
Win Lose or Draw this weekend, get behind these guys. Give them and encouragement and most of all, be patient. That's what it means to be a Shark Fan.

Well said, DH.

I agree with every single point you have raised.

I have supported this club since 1987 as 4 year old and I still say it was the greatest decision I have ever made in watching rugby league.

As a kid I witnessed the dark days of the early 90's including 1993 where we almost folded.

If anything the current situation isn't dissimilar to the events of 1993.

All the speculation from rent-a-quote journalists like Rothfield and Massoud and the rubbish posted on other forums by rival fans dancing on our grave and talking of our demise has hurt me badly.

I love this club and have loved the Sharks for a long time and it would hurt so much to not have this club in the competition.

For me, No Sharks means No Rugby League.

Without us, the NRL can go to hell!!!!!!!

 

[stormshark]

Agree but for me the Golden Years in terms of Fav Sharks team and a real tilt at the Cup were around '77-79

 

[DANGA HATCH]

Agree but for me the Golden Years in terms of Fav Sharks team and a real tilt at the Cup were around '77-79

Yeah that was a great team. I went to the '78 GF that they drew 11 -all. It was my third year following the Sharks. It was a heartbreaking thing to experience as a 9 year old the 16 -0 loss the next Tuesday .

 

[stormshark]

Yeah that was a great team. I went to the '78 GF that they drew 11 -all. It was my third year following the Sharks. It was a heartbreaking thing to experience as a 9 year old the 16 -0 loss the next Tuesday .

Same-i was there too.Rogers miss a blow and 2 many suspensions for repeat game.

 

[Coolumsharkie]

Ive actually lost a great deal of interest in rugby league lately, simply because all coverage, talk and success are with st george, parrmatta, bwogs and manly.

Its really depressing actually, like you said mate,no sharks, no rugby league.

Correctamundo Hitman!!

Hit the nail on the head.

 

[Great White Shark]

Not quite

Danga, I do agree with you regarding the support we have shown over the years. I am only in my late thirties, have been supporting the sharks for about 30 years (I loved watching Hatch in the late 80's, it was a great time. History now).

TRUTH is though that this has been the worst performing team under a single coach since Ken Kearney coached us in 1968 (we got the spoon twice only in 67-68). Considering one of those (Stuart) years we only lost 5 games a were equal minor premiers!!! You're right, semi final football has been a struggle for us but we have not, at least not in most people's living memory, played this poorly.

The problem is that at our club there is no accountability to the fans/members. If a CEO, politician etc had this track record that Ricky does they would leave. But not at the shire. Like a prime minister, the performance of his party may or may not be his fault, but it is his responsiblity (irrespective of fault).

For the love of god, I would like to know that someone is paying the price of our club's medeocrity. I have been a member for a long time. And I deserve to know that heads are rolling....accountability!

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Sticky was building in 2007, had great success in 2008, in 2009 the **** hit the fan and no one could expect or plan for what happened and plenty of other coaches would have thrown in the towel instead of doing everything in their power to save our club. 2010 has been disappointing but let's be fair with our judgement of Stuart over this entire time at the Sharks and give respect where it's due.

 

[Ramzyv1]

Sticky was building in 2007, had great success in 2008, in 2009 the **** hit the fan and no one could expect or plan for what happened and plenty of other coaches would have thrown in the towel instead of doing everything in their power to save our club. 2010 has been disappointing but let's be fair with our judgement of Stuart over this entire time at the Sharks and give respect where it's due.

Completely agree with this but will add that even in 2007 we were very close to the finals and likely would have made it but had lengthy injuries to Dykes, Kimmorley and Bird, 3 of our best 4 players when you add Gallen. If you take those quality players out from any side for lengthy periods then they are no hope of the 8 so he did really well with that side.

I know it sounds like we are just defending him and worshipping the ground he walks on but seriously when you stop and think about what this team has gone through the last 18 months I am so glad we have him here because he is respected by our team, is an awesome defensive coach who can get us back to where we need to be defensively and can lure big name players when our brand couldnt otherwise. He also now has a good rep for blooding young players (which actually isnt part of his style but has come thru necessity so thats lucky) so the youth want to come here too.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Yeah I agree mate. I am far from his biggest fan and some times I feel the same way as the nay sayers, but if you stand back and think about it some people are pretty harsh on him.