It’s Good Friday. I usually spend this day at ANZ Stadium watching the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs do battle but today I sit at home writing this with no live game to watch. Coronavirus, eh?
The traditional Good Friday clash has always been one worth circling on the draw but it’s been five years since a particular game that had everything from thrilling footy to controversy.
The lead-up to the 2015 match was tantalising. It was the first time the Dogs and Bunnies had met since the 2014 grand final; the rivalry had never been stronger.
In 2015, I was the captain of the Bulldogs’ cheerleading squad. I would usually use my pom poms to dance — or to cover my screams of ‘get ‘em on side ref’ — but in this match I used them to shield myself from bottles.
Yes, bottles.
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The game’s final minutes were filled with controversy. Emotions were running high — I get it, no fan likes losing — but the behaviour of a handful of Bulldogs fans was disgraceful.
Furious at the referee’s decision that lead to Bryson Goodwin’s matchwinning penalty goal, fans launched bottles at the refs as they left the field.
At the end of each game, our cheerleading squad formed a guard of honour, with our arms up shaking our pom poms to cheer the players in.
As I stood there with my arms up, donning a fake smile masking my broken blue and white heart I remember dodging bottles coming towards us.
None of the cheerleaders were hit – we were ushered into the tunnel by security very quickly – but it was shocking.
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How did it get so ugly?
The game was thrilling right to the very end. Scores were tied up in the 75th minute until the ever reliable Trent Hodkinson slotted a field goal. We had done it. The Bunnies couldn’t come back now... surely.
Adam Reynolds attempted a field goal in return. He missed. Phew.
But the game was stopped. James Graham had tried to charge down the kick and took out Reynolds’ leg.
Call me biased, but it was accidental.
Referee Gerard Sutton put Graham on report and awarded South Sydney a penalty. Here is where it went sour.
The rule stated: ‘If a player fouls an opponent who is attempting a drop goal, a penalty kick shall be awarded in front of the goal posts’.
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Not realising this, the Bulldogs — and their fans — were furious. I must admit I was too. But Sutton got it right.
Graham was beside himself. He was in Sutton’s face yelling and pointing (with his knuckle).
But David Klemmer swore at Sutton and he got sent for 10.
It was chaos.
Goodwin slotted the penalty goal and the Rabbitohs escaped with an 18-17 win.
Sutton barely escaped without being hit with a bottle.