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I haven't been down to watch Palmyra much lately, I was overseas from late March until May, and since then only managed to catch a game three or four weeks ago.
That was until yesterday when I went to see the game against UWA. I couldn't help but notice the hardening in attitude amongst the club hierarchy. A lot of dark mutterings about how the competition formula has destroyed club bar takings and split the club, and other things I didn't know about (or care about for that matter).
I suppose that's what you get when a club loses a number of games in a row, and has no hope of qualifying for the finals ...
But I suspect there is something more to it than that. There was a lot of whinging about the standard of referring over the last two games, and some pointed remarks at the manner in which RugbyWA interfered with the club's chances in recent finals series and their failure to cooperate with the club in securing the services of a key positional player when they had every opportunity to do so.
Far more serious than the griping however, was the proposal put to me by senior members of the club that it was exploring the possibility of returning to League next season.
Among the reasons given, spurious or otherwise, were that:
Rugby League was run more fairly and less capriciously, with a defined and immutable rule structure
There were greater possibilities for financial returns in the League competition, which was expanding, whereas Union was contracting
The new leasing arrangements with Melville Council make it clear that the facility at Tompkins park has to be conducted more inclusively, and that includes the introduction of League
Greater scope for sponsorship within the expanded League structure which is growing in numbers and exposure, particularly in view of the introduction of a WA team in the National competition in a few years whereas Rugby has lost popularity in WA for numerous reasons. There is also some talk that the club's facilities could be offered as a high profile training venue for the new outfit
The manner in which Rockingham was treated, and the way Wanneroo is being treated and earmarked and pushed towards destruction (a mentality of "who's next, anyway it's better to leave while the club is one of the biggest and strongest than be pushed when it's down")
A Tin Foil Hat mentality at the club, reasonably held or otherwise, as a result of recent decisions and attitudes demonstrated by RugbyWA towards it
Another sign has been the recent cosying up with the League Junior competition here and in the East which I heard about on Saturday, and something about Palmyra hosting the NSW under 16's League state team last week.
Personally, I hope it's just talk arising out of disappointment and anger. Whilst I backed away from club rugby considerably after the egregious goings on over recent years, an abandonment of the code by the club would see me withdraw completely, and I can't see myself supporting any other club.
Call me tribal if you will.