Hoops' Tuesday Takedown: Dean Ritchie's new jacket overshadows Brent Read's Leichardt rant

Watching NRL 360 last night and couple of things caught my eye.

The first was Dennis the Bullfrog’s jacket. Borrowed it straight out of Billy Birmingham’s wardrobe - the beige, the cream, the white, the off white, the ivory.

It was Don Johnson-like out of Miami Vice. Outstanding.

On a more serious note though I noticed Brent Read aka Mr Peabody is still harping on with his ridiculous campaign of putting shit on Leichhardt Oval.

Peabody, give it a rest. Enough. In rugby league fans vote with their feet.

And a record crowd at Leichhardt Oval last Saturday tells the story. It costs fans $50 a pop to stand on the hill at the 8th wonder of the world and guess what - they all happily outlay the folding because they love the experience.

As much as Peabody prefers the plush confines of a corporate box where he can fog his glasses up with hot party pies, the rank and file football fans are all-in on the hill.

And this BS argument about kids and families not being welcome on the hill is complete waffle.

Kids love the experience. I’ve seen thousands of them there.

At its core rugby league is about tribalism, history and tradition and venues like Leichhardt Oval, Belmore, Brookvale, the old Marathon Stadium at Newcastle and Shark Park have got it in spades.

Granted, Shark Park needs some work. But we should never abandon it or give up on it.

The history of walking down Mary St and Glover St with the BBQ’s on full bore and the snags and onions sizzling.

Walking down Laurie’s Lane - the laneway named after one of the greatest fans the game of rugby league has ever seen - Laurie Nichols - you can’t put a price on that.

So drop off please Peabody. Your mate Richo’s not running the Tigers anymore so you don’t have to run his agendas.

The fans have spoken. Suburban football is going nowhere.

Hero Image - Source: Fox League YouTube