Unfair treatment of Bulldogs fans.

[Gobbledok]

Before I begin this, I will make this statement...I am a Bulldogs fan, I know some of our fans are not angels, and I am not writing this out of spite.

To begin...

I went to the Bulldogs/Parramatta game at ANZ Stadium on the 15th of March. As usual, I buy my tickets at the ground...I am usually not that concerned about whether I am high up in the stands, or down on the sidelines. But the behaviour of some of the Parramatta fans, and the inaction of ANZ Stadium staff in regards to this behaviour, is ridiculous.

For starters, in the section I was seated, there was a decent mixture of Parramatta and Bulldogs fans. A couple of Parramatta fans seated nearby were smoking, which is not allowed in the seated area. After they had finished their second cigarette, I went and complained to a staff member...yet nothing was done. After another cigarette, my partner also went and complained...yet nothing was done. Finally, after about 30 minutes from the second complaint, an ANZ Stadium staff member came and spoke to the two smoking, and they put out their cigarettes. At other games, when there have been Bulldogs fans caught smoking, why are they asked to leave their seats immediately, when it is only their first cigarette?

Secondly, in the area near the food shops, I was in line waiting to pay for some food, when I witnessed a man in a Parramatta jersey spit at some kids in a Bulldogs jersey. If you think this is an isolated incident, I have seen Parramatta fans throw stuff at kids in Bulldogs jerseys in the past, even hiting them...complaints have been made, nothing was done. This time was the same...nothing being done, even though the incident happened practically right in front of an ANZ Stadium staff member. There were other things I noticed late in the game in the stands, but there is only limited space to detail it all.

Finally, and I recognise this is something out of the control of Parramatta and ANZ Stadium, my partner and I were walking home after the game (we live within walking distance of ANZ Stadium). Regardless of whether the Bulldogs have won or lost, they tend to be well behaved driving out of the area. We were walking across the road, and a carload of Parramatta fans started yelling obscenities at my partner. Now that wouldnt concern me, but why should she have to put up with that kind of nonsense.

This sort of behaviour, in all the games I have ever been to, only seems to happen from Parramatta fans...yet it is us Bulldogs fans that still get the blame for it. And when we Bulldogs fans make a complaint, it gets ignored, as I am sure this one will too (already sent off emails to ANZ Stadium and Parramatta)...but if Parramatta fans made a complaint, it would be all over the media.

[Cas98]

Something happens to some people when they put on a jersey of a football team, I think it cuts off all the oxygen to the brain! Turns them into moronic maniacs!

Just a guess..

[derat]

"Something happens to some people when they put on a jersey of a football team, I think it cuts off all the oxygen to the brain! Turns them into moronic maniacs!"

Yeh - but they are talking about the fans here, not the players....

I can understand the jersey thing.. its thick material, not a lot of oxygen to get through. Its not like they need much to fuel the powerful thinktanks that are the front rowers, but still.... this is more about the fans that watch the game.

[fate]

Bulldogs and Parramatta fans ?? Given the demographics of both areas. Fan behaviour does not surprise me.
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Is it really surprising that fans behave in such a way, after all the players on the field are such exemplary role models...... NOT
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