Why Roosters fans thrive on rival’s hatred ahead of NRL grand final

The Roosters fan base are arguably the most heavily criticised in the NRL, but the Chook Pen themselves aren’t concerned, adamant they only grow stronger with each Tricoloured sledge.

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They’ve been branded the NRL’s most fickle fans but sit with the Chook Pen – the Sydney Roosters’ official supporter group – and the passion is palpable.

Standing among their faithful decked out in red, white and blue as they chant in unison with drums and whistles, the noise hits you hard.

There is also a genuine purpose to the fans that defies the sledges suggesting that you can count the total number of Roosters supporters on one hand.

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Roosters Chook Pen members outside Easts in Bondi Junction. Picture: Damian Shaw

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This enthusiasm is personified through Chook Pen head honcho Mario Facchini, who has been a Roosters fan since he was five.

Facchini has heard all the taunts aimed the Tricolours’ supporters but he insists the criticism only makes them stronger.

In fact, he has issued a challenge to the Canberra fans ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium.

The Roosters have a bigger average home crowd attendance than the Raiders this season (16,844 to 14,864) and Facchini says the Chook Pen will prove they’re the superior fan base at the decider.

“The message to the Raiders fans is to enjoy it – it is a grand final – but the Roosters are not going to go lightly on the support,” Facchini said.

Canberra will launch their first grand final day 'Viking Clap’. Picture: Scott Barbour

“We are going to support our team as much, if not more than Canberra.

“The Roosters fans will show up in numbers and we will be supporting our team.

“I’ve heard the jibes for so long that you know people are just talking crap.

“It was a myth that was perpetuated off a lie back in the Super League days.

“Look, admittedly we don’t have the biggest membership numbers but what we do have are very loyal, we show up and represent the club.

“It is like a family and we are all here for the same reason. We want the same thing – for the Roosters to win.”

As a proud Italian, Facchini’s favourite player is former forward Craig Salvatori.

“Craig was why I started supporting the Chooks,” he said.

LISTEN! In the season finale, Matty Johns is joined by James Hooper and Paul Kent to go over this Sunday’s grand final, plus how the build-up to the NRL’s biggest weekend can weigh on the favoured team (and how the Roosters are counteracting it!).

“He was one of the few Italians playing in rugby league at the time.

“You see someone who has the same nationality as your family that is pretty cool.”

The Chook Pen has a couple of basic songs but their staple is the “Easts” chat, which was created in 2002 and inspired by Adrian Morley’s time at the club.

Prior to Morley’s six-year stint at the Roosters, the fearsome forward played 149 games for the Leeds Rhinos in the English Super League.

The Rhinos fans chant ‘Leeds’ and Facchini thought the Roosters could adopt a similar idea.

“We heard Leeds supporters and thought it would work perfectly with the Roosters,” he said.

“The stadium at last year’s grand final erupted with the Easts chant and it shook the foundations of ANZ.

Roosters fans are ready to lift on grand final day despite likely being outnumbered. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

“I know it is noticed by the players when they are on the field. Players have commented before that because it is so tribal it spurs them on and gives them a boost.

“That is why we do the chant and it certainly gets the fans’ emotions and confidence up.”

The Chook Pen’s also possess a host of banners, led by Wayne Leung’s giggity, giggity sign, which is a catchphrase used by Family Guy character, Glenn Quagmire.

“Wayne always gets himself on television, so he always has people coming up to him asking about his banner,” Facchini said.

“He could be on the bus to work and people will approach him saying, you are the guy with the giggity, giggity banner.

“He gets noticed and that is what we want.

“Whether that is banners, using comic characters and catch phases or making noise with our chants – we won’t go unnoticed.”

Originally published as Why Roosters fans thrive on rival’s hatred ahead of NRL grand final