An objective view of the RBB’s antics at the Grand Final

Before I get into the article, yes, I am a Sydney FC fan, but no, the ‘rivalry’ between clubs has had no bearing on this piece. Make what you want out of that, but at the end of the day, I am an Australian football supporter before my Sky Blue allegiance, and I am, to my best ability, looking at the final as a neutral.

On the 21st of April, 2013, the A-League reached the pinnacle of its season for the eighth time. The game culminated arguably the greatest ever domestic season of football in Australia, from the colour and atmosphere off the field, to world class marquees and flowing football on it. It was meant to be not only a day of celebration for either of the two participating teams, Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, but for all fans across the nation who has watched their beloved round ball game soar to unprecedented levels.

Of course, Central Coast Mariners came out 2-0 victors, finally winning their first grand final at the fourth attempt. The plate heads north of Sydney at last, to the delight off all “Coasties.” By no means was this a disappointment for the Western Sydney Wanderers, who fell just short of the perfect fairy tale. The club can hold its head high, knowing they have had a season to remember, and who were written off by nearly all accounts at the start of the year.

But in the aftermath of the Grand Final, reports have flooded out with the Red and Black Bloc at the centre of some issues. I was at the Grand Final yesterday, and I sat opposite the RBB, cheering on the Mariners out of pity more than for any duty to the Central Coast team. In my opinion, they were on song for the majority of the time. What seemed like nonstop chanting, their call and response with the sidelines was almost a replica of what we’ve seen at Parramatta Stadium. It must also be said, that the Yellow Army were in full voice also. Usually the butt of jokes in terms of active support, I was quite impressed by their performance, sitting to the right of the group.

But still these reports have tarnished the final. The majority of them highlight the focal points of the RBB’s actions. The first would have to be f-word that many shudder at the sound of. Of course, it’s the use of flares. Make up your own decision about them, but in my opinion, flares add colour and atmosphere to the greatest sport of all, and when used in a safe environment, they can be quite the spectacle. I have never had an issue with fans lighting a few flares in designated active support bays. So when I saw a few lit by the RBB, I was not bothered. I can’t however talk for some Central Coast supporters around me, as a chorus of boos rung out at the sight of coloured smoke emitting from the home end.

Of course, you will get the few who dislike the idea of flares. At the end of the day, they are being misused, and such heat released from these tubes containing explosive chemicals can spell big danger and harm. I’m not here to discuss the age old question about the taboo on flares, but after the RBB had opened numerous more flares, their effect died on me and I started questioning the use. In moderation, I think they are great, but when they are continually used, I can understand the argument of “anti-flarists.”

However, there is no, and I repeat, NO excuse to throw flares in direction of anyone. Throwing them in your own end is not only pure stupidity, but highly unsafe. Only a few months ago we heard about a girl at the music festival, Soundwave, suffering severe burns after being hit by an airborne flare. Even worse, a young Corinthian fan, aged only 14, was killed after being struck by a flare in February of this year.

The first flare I saw thrown was out of the stands and at the grounds in between the field and the supporter bay.  Although no malice (I hope) was intended, that is just an idiotic act. But the obvious one was the flare thrown at Daniel McBreen as he stood over his penalty kick. Shannon Cole, looking almost embarrassed, picked up the flare and threw it off the field. When you endanger the well being of the players, you need to seriously look at yourself and why you are supporting football.  There is never a reason to launch a flare, and I sincerely hope those responsible get the highest of penalties applicable.

Although many will not agree with me, I am happy to stand up for the RBB and suggest that the ones who threw them were not part of the main group, and big games will always attract the wrong type of people, who egged on by idiotic mates and the pressure and tension of a grand final, resorts to dim-witted actions to look cool and ‘part of it.’ Both flares, from what I saw, were thrown from outside the main bay of fans, towards the left of them. However it is concerning that although I think it was done by a flog, there has been multiple flares thrown from the RBB and on to the field, most recently in the Sydney Derby at Sydney FC goalkeeper Ivan Necevski, as he lined up to take a goal kick. In fact there have been flares thrown at every Sydney Derby this year. It is time for the RBB to moderate the use of flares, and use them sparingly. Maybe then we will have less of a dark shadow casted, ironically, on the bright atmosphere they can create.

The next talking point was the state Bay 23 was left at the conclusion of the Grand Final. For those not in the know, Bay 23 is home to Sydney FC’s Active Support Group, The Cove. Questions were raised as to why the rivals of the tenant of the ground were allowed to stand in the same area, but logistically, the large number of fans needed the larger end. However what ensued after the full time whistle was disappointing to see. Rows of chair were ripped up and thrown. Images spread all over social media, and then into the hands of football’s number one enemy, the media. And this time, I cannot defend, let alone come to plausible terms to why this happened. What is worse was that the fans had the nerve to boast about their actions, attempting to give it to Sydney FC fans, but embarrassing the club they apparently love.

And I am sorry, this time I’m not buying into the fact that they collapsed under the weight of your Poznan or whatever excuse you mustered up. The Cove have stood and jumped on chairs for seasons on end without anything similar to what happened to the bay at the final. It is quite obvious also from the pictures that emerged that the damage was done by force and on purpose. Similarly to the throwing of flares, there is no excuse.

The final issue is the actions of the RBB during the anthem and the presentation of medals. I will stand up for the RBB and say, as a Bay 23/The Cove goer, the PA system is very poor there, and under immense chanting, it is barely audible. I can easily see why the RBB continued with their chant at the start of the anthem, and after acknowledging what was going on, they duly stopped and joined in with the rest of the stadium. Any person with comments saying the group is disrespectful to the nation and the anthem only need to look at the Australia Day game against Melbourne Heart where the group sung the anthem proudly.

With the Poznan during the presentation of medals to Central Coast, I can see how there are two sides to that story. Majority will say that the fans were being bitter about the result, and as a sign of disrespect, turned their backs on the fans. That is a very simple and narrow minded view, but it is understandable. The other side of the argument suggests that the RBB did the Poznan to show the players that although you did get second place, we will always support you. For those with any knowledge of active support overseas, the Poznan is meant to be symbolic of the passion of fans as they show they will always support and chant for their team no matter what is happening on the field, expressed as they look away from the ground. The intent meant no malice, but the timing was extremely poor, and the majority will view the circumstances negatively.

Overall, I personally find that the RBB are getting heavily hit with unfair reports about the main focal points. However, there are always steps to be taken to eliminate the possibility of negative press. The majority of complaints by the general football public are valid, and some acts, such as the throwing of flares, have no justification. Ever. It will be interesting what road the RBB take next season, as if they continue with repetitive, over the top antics, I fear the FFA and respective state Polices will crack down harder than ever on a group that have really taken active support to a new level in Australia.

Congratulations to Central Coast Mariners once more, and commiserations to the Western Sydney Wanderers. On the field, it was an amazing spectacle.

Follow Jordan on Twitter: @jordan_lorusso

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