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View Full Version : Article: Collingwood most hated in Australiann sport



SWANSBEST
25th September 2003, 08:04 AM
Hated will be feted only by their own
September 25, 2003


Ball and all: Brownlow medallist Nathan Buckley leads the loved-or-hated Magpies at training this week. Photo: Joe Armao


Collingwood, the most disliked club in Australian sport, will gain the support of few neutrals on Saturday, writes Richard Hinds.

Two weeks ago Premier Steve Bracks asked the people of Victoria to get behind Collingwood as the only remaining Melbourne team in the finals. As a call to arms, it was like George Dubya asking the people of New York to get behind Osama bin Laden because he had once done a spot of shopping in Manhattan.

Bracks's cry fell predictably flat. The Magpies' reputation as the most hated - and hateful - club in Australian sport continues to flourish. In Melbourne, rival supporters would rather watch an invading army march down Collins Street on grand-final eve than the parade of Magpies who will feted by thousands of fans tomorrow ahead of Saturday's decider against Brisbane.

The club has successfully managed the difficult transition from subject of petty suburban jealousy to genuine national hate figure. The Magpies are loathed by Brisbane and Sydney because they campaigned to have draft and salary cap concessions taken from the northern clubs. They are despised by Port Adelaide, the choking offspring of the South Australian Magpies who suffer a permanent little-brother complex.

And yet, like some evil cartoon monster, Collingwood are just made stronger by the taunts of opposition supporters and clubs. This is the only sporting club in the world that listed "being hated" as a key performance indicator.

That was in late 1998 when president Eddie McGuire took over a fallen giant that had for the first time in its history become the source of pity. Since then, even traditional Pie bashers have admired the way in which the club's holy trinity - McGuire, coach Mick Malthouse and captain Nathan Buckley - have turned the club into a modern powerhouse on and off the field.

But as a consequence of that success the Magpies genie is out the bottle. In Melbourne this week what little newspaper, television and radio space that was not already occupied by "Eddie Everywhere" was dominated by Collingwood "news". Forward Anthony Rocca was not merely suspended by the tribunal, but martyred by it. Not since the Magpies lost four grand finals in five years (1977, 1979-81) has The Club immortalised in the David Williamson play generated as much hype - and enjoyed the same capacity to get up the noses of the non-believers. At last Saturday's preliminary final against Port Adelaide, the Magpie-dominated crowd of 77,405 created an atmosphere that was part football match, part Nuremberg Rally.

Collingwood's insular fanaticism is based on both their ancient and recent history. For the boot factory workers from the impoverished slums of Collingwood, football was an expression of pride and revenge. In latter days the club's spectacular finals failures have entrenched the feeling of victimisation.

The Magpies' nine grand final defeats from 10 appearances in the past 42 years have been peppered with controversy and heartache. The late point by St Kilda's Barry Breen that "robbed" them of the flag in 1966; Carlton's comeback from 44 points down at half-time in 1970; the final-quarter collapse against North Melbourne in 1977 that led to a draw - and, subsequently, defeat in the replay; the controversial goal late in the five-point loss to Carlton in 1979 and even Anthony Rocca's crucial "goal" that was not paid in last year's nine-point defeat to Brisbane are all part of the Pies' tragic lore.

In the face of such misfortune some would consider themselves cursed by the fates. Collingwood supporters instead consider themselves the victims of conspiracies and authority.

On the Magpies' official website, columnist Cyclops (the one-eyed Pie) sums up what it means to barrack for Collingwood: "The down at heel, out of luck, the mentally and physically afflicted all gravitate to the Pies. Anyone who has done it hard and felt some injustice. Anybody who wants to stick it up the authorities."

But perhaps the sentiment that best describes Magpie supporters comes from 12-year-old fan Stephanie, who was asked on the website which opposition clubs she dislikes: "I hate them all because I am a true supporter and don't like other clubs," she replied.

The world's feeling for Collingwood was best expressed by former Carlton president George Harris after the 1979 grand final. "The only thing better than beating Collingwood by 10 goals is beating them by five points," he said. Yet the Magpies' nemesis, Carlton, now sit near the bottom of the ladder impoverished and powerless. Only the hardened warriors of Brisbane stand between Collingwood and the premiership. The last time that happened, in 1990, the streets around the MCG and inner-city Collingwood were jammed as Pies fans celebrated their good fortune and taunted their supposed oppressors.

Bracks is still calling for Victorians to support the Pies. He should be warning them to stock up on supplies and prepare their escape routes.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/09/24/1064083060736.html

penga
25th September 2003, 11:56 AM
get your hand off it hinds...

who in this world actually revels in the fact that they are feral and most hated??? stupidity beyond all belief!!! :rolleyes: