“Shame about that whole ‘second half’ thing.”
With the scoreline reading 12 to 6 in St George Illawarra’s favour let night, Dragons fans once again began their season by prematurely ordering flights and booking accommodation for the Grand Final. That was of course, until that whole pesky second-half thing.
“It’s just not fair,” said lifelong St George fan, Lionel George (75). “We are the reigning 40-minute Premiers. Why do games have to go for 80 minutes?”
After living through the great chokes of 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1999, fans were once again treated to some brilliant 40-minute football.
“I’ve learned that if you’re a Saints fan and you leave at halftime, life is good,” said big time St George fan, Anthony Hippoman (41). “I was living in America in 1999 and my brother sent me a VHS tape of the Grand Final vs Melbourne. I had me socks on, and me scarf, and at halftime I rang my brother excited about how we were going to win. “It’s 14-0!” I screamed. My brother just said, “Keep watching.” I should have known better.”
After leading last night, online Dragons fans have once again started a petition to change the competition to two 20-minute halves. With only 20 signatures from around our great nation, it seems the football field isn’t the only place St George runs out of steam.