Do you need to ‘support’ a team in the Grand Final?

Every year, at this point of the season, fans of the two sides left to compete for the Grand Final, rush to social media to ensure that neutral fans support their side.

Of course most are not serious and are just enjoying their Grand Final week, but official accounts and even media have reached out in New South Wales to rally support for the tri-colours.

As a Sharks fan, my interest in this Sunday evening's decider dropped about a million+ percent when the side was bounced by the Storm last Friday Night.

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of NRL fans feel exactly the same right now.

BUT ... isn't it much more fun heading into a massive game if you have a vested interest, at least in some small shape or form?

Hand on heart I would have been much happier to see the Bunnies playing this Sunday against the Storm. I have a close friend who supports the Bunnies and half my work support the club.

It would have been enjoyable to see them enjoy Grand Final weekend, an even humourous next Tuesday returning to work if they were beaten by the ramping purple haze.

The general feeling across social media is that this is the most unpopular Grand Final since whenever Manly last featured.

I completely agree.

There is no 'good guy' side here.

2017 saw the underdog Cowboys battle against injuries to two superstars and having to come from eighth place to battle the Storm on Grand Final day.

As a neutral it was very easy to get caught up on the Cowboys fan bandwagon and support them against a side who had brushed aside all before them for many years now.

In 2016, I'm sure, it was very easy for some to back to the Sharks to end a half-century long title drought.

There were plenty of bitter fans, a good friend of mine included, who wanted to see fans continue to suffer, but the majority of fans with hearts wanted the Sharks to live the fairy tale.

2018, not so much.

The Roosters recruited two mega stars on multi-million dollar deals in the form of James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk.

Add those two to the already brimming roster of stars and the Roosters started the season as favourites.

Not an easy sell for Sunday.

Standing across from the tri-colours are the Storm, the team appearing in a third straight Grand Final. The team known to neutrals for grapple tackling and Cameron Smith supposedly bossing around officials.

Yuk!

Will Chambers or Blake Ferguson?

Cam Smith or Jake Friend?

Not exactly a choice between super model sisters, is it?

The papers in Sydney are asking that Sydney-based fans get behind the team from Bondi.

How far does this stretch?

Sure, support the Sydney side against an invading, purple army from down south.

What if it were the Roosters vs the Broncos? Support the New South Wales side?

I honestly don't have any genuine interest in who wins on Sunday. I suppose I have a few friends who support the Roosters who would enjoy a good weekend, and then some. That has to mean something?

Truthfully I don't want to see the Storm lift a second straight title, through pure bitterness.

Likewise I have no interest in seeing Blake Ferguson wearing a winner's medal after leaving the Sharks in horror circumstances all those years ago.

That's not to say I'm not looking forward to the game.

Despite being known for their defence, both sides can score points, and from anywhere. Ferguson will bust tackles and be a general pain. Chambers will niggle.

From the start I said I wanted Billy Slater and Cronk there. It adds to the story and the occasion.

I suppose it would be good to see the Storm create history despite losing an international number seven. Like him, or more likely hate him, Slater is a legend and deserves to go out a winner.

Smith would SURELY establish himself as the greatest player of this generation, and possibly ever, by lifting the trophy on Sunday night.

On the other hand it would be amazing to see Cronk lead two vastly different sides to titles across two seasons.

There are plenty of side stories in this one, which should made for an amazing game.

I just don't care who wins.