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What your NRL team says about you

Regardless of who you support in the NRL, it says something about you. See what your choice truly reveals.

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Wondering what NRL team to support?

Perhaps you are doing some self reflection?

We have you covered.

Here is our (light hearted) run down of what your NRL team says about you.

Penrith Panthers

Loyal Panthers fans at an open training session at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Loyal Panthers fans at an open training session at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Star Panther Nathan Cleary. Picture: Richard Dobson
Star Panther Nathan Cleary. Picture: Richard Dobson

A team once renowned for their diehard fans, but started watching the NRL between 2021 and 2024 it has been the team you support more for their unwavering success.

Most of you live in Western Sydney, but there are a few now in the east. The “true fans” loved their team so much and wouldn’t miss a home game no matter what, except if their home ground ends up in Parramatta. Now that’s a trip too far.

Melbourne Storm

Eliesa Katoa of the Storm celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the round three NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Eliesa Katoa of the Storm celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the round three NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

You either live in Melbourne or can’t handle loss very well. It is funny seeing Storm jerseys in Sydney or Queensland, and most make you wonder, how have you ended up here?

The team is very good, but what sparks one to support a club from a town that is renowned for not housing rugby league supporters. To our Melbourne readers, it must be nice. The rest, please jump off the bandwagon.

Brisbane Broncos

Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh – Broncos players connecting with the fans in Toowoomba at the Fan Day. Picture: David Martinelli
Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh – Broncos players connecting with the fans in Toowoomba at the Fan Day. Picture: David Martinelli

It should have been you. You are most likely dwelling on the days of Gordon Tallis, Alfie Langer among other greats from your club. But, more times than not Broncos fans have been left sad and bitter. In the past 10 years your wonderful club has arguably had two grand finals won, just to have it snatched away in the dying moments. Things will get better … we think, but please just stop bringing them up.

Sydney Roosters

Roosters fans show their support during the round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium on March 06, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Roosters fans show their support during the round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium on March 06, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
NRL fans at the Dolphins V Roosters match. Picture: NRL Photos
NRL fans at the Dolphins V Roosters match. Picture: NRL Photos

You only go to home games at Allianz Stadium and thoroughly enjoy Totti’s as your pre-game feed over the traditional hotdog or sausage roll. Despite being one of the most developed clubs in the game, fans still haven’t figured out that jerseys are “appropriate attire” to wear to the footy. Instead, trading the tri-colours for a pair or RM Williams and a Ralph Lauren jumper.

Wests Tigers

Jarome Luai with fans Bella Kelly, 7 and Louis Kelly, 4. Wests Tigers members only training session at Zurich Centre, Concord. Picture: Rohan Kelly
Jarome Luai with fans Bella Kelly, 7 and Louis Kelly, 4. Wests Tigers members only training session at Zurich Centre, Concord. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The most loyal fans in the competition, how you guys are still around is baffling. You have been hurt and burnt so many times but always show up to support your team. You even sold out Campbelltown Sports Stadium when you were competing for the wooden spoon last year. If your friend, partner, loved one, is a Tigers supporter, you better keep them around.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Fans celebrate on the hill during the round two NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Sports Ground, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Fans celebrate on the hill during the round two NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans at Belmore Sports Ground, on March 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

People usually hear you before they see you. The drums, cheering, heckling, you really have it all. Not many other clubs like you, but as a Bulldog that’s a badge of honour. Went missing for a few rough years but there is no doubt rugby league is at its best when the Bulldog fans are loud and proud.

Cronulla Sharks

Braydon Trindall of the Sharks takes selfies with fans during the round 18 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Braydon Trindall of the Sharks takes selfies with fans during the round 18 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Fans cheer during the round 27 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders at PointsBet Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Fans cheer during the round 27 NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders at PointsBet Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

You don’t cross the bridge … Tom Ugly’s or Captain Cook of course. Life is good in the Shire, rugby league at Shark Park, down for a beer or four at Northies. Some of your fans are very passionate, others use a Sharks game as a social catch up. Despite this you don’t see many other club’s fans in your area. You’re either a Cronulla Shark or you don’t watch rugby league.

The Dolphins

Fans ahead of the match between Dolphins and Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. (L-R) Charissa Teixeira, Ashton Teixeira-Grant and Acacia Teixeira. Picture: Richard Gosling
Fans ahead of the match between Dolphins and Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. (L-R) Charissa Teixeira, Ashton Teixeira-Grant and Acacia Teixeira. Picture: Richard Gosling

You are either sick of the Broncos, over your former team, or an old head who can’t stand not being called Redcliffe. The babies of the NRL, the ‘Phins fans haven’t made a massive stamp on the game yet, but it won’t take long.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Manly Sea Eagles fans celebrate. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers
Manly Sea Eagles fans celebrate. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers
Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles runs the ball during the round 20 NRL match. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles runs the ball during the round 20 NRL match. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

You really, really, really like Tom Trbojevic. Everything this man does has you glued, including when he’s gone. If the man they call Turbo is injured and not playing, you’re quick to follow and stop caring. At the beginning of every year you really believe this year is going to be different, and you are going to crack the top four, but it does not take long to change your mind.

Gold Coast Titans

AJ Brimson with fans. Photo – NRL Images
AJ Brimson with fans. Photo – NRL Images

Just like the NRL team, sometimes you show up, sometimes you don’t. One of the best grounds in the comp sadly is rarely filled. Almost as if people prefer partying over going to games. Like every club, you have your legion of diehards, but for the large majority of the time, you stick to yourself.

Newcastle Knights

Kalyn Ponga of the Knights gives his headgear to fans after his team's victory during the round 12 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Newcastle Knights at Moreton Daily Stadium. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Kalyn Ponga of the Knights gives his headgear to fans after his team's victory during the round 12 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Newcastle Knights at Moreton Daily Stadium. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Consider yourself the upper echelon of fans, and think you know it all about rugby league, but haven’t seen success in so long your memory is clouded. However, things are on the up for Newcastle, you just spent a large chunk of your salary cap on an unproven half and now risk losing your best player Kalyn Ponga … Premiership incoming.

Canberra Raiders

Raiders fans celebrating the win during the Round 1 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Raiders fans celebrating the win during the Round 1 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Raiders fans celebrating the win during the Round 1 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Raiders fans celebrating the win during the Round 1 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and Warriors at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Picture: Jonathan Ng

You love a Viking clap and talking about how much colder it is in Canberra despite no longer living there. You had little-to-no faith for your team’s prospects this year heading into the season, and are now stumped as to how you have come into possession of grand final tickets after just a few rounds of the competition. When it comes to men you have a certain type: massive, mulleted, and preferably plays in the front row.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs

South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow takes selfies with fans at the end of the National Rugby League (NRL) match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons, held at Barlow Park, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke
South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow takes selfies with fans at the end of the National Rugby League (NRL) match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons, held at Barlow Park, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Quick to remind people you are one of the oldest clubs around, but yet you never hear any of you talking about getting kicked out of the competition. A few rough years for the Bunnies, but you will never forget 2014. Again, you also won’t let anyone else forget.

St. George Illawarra Dragons

Fans cheer during the round two NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium, on March 15, 2025, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Fans cheer during the round two NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs at WIN Stadium, on March 15, 2025, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

You have burnt more jerseys than attended games at Kogarah. After losing so much you would think the red V fans are used to it, but whenever the team is not performing you chuck the biggest hissy fits just to come back six weeks later. But hey, at-least no one is taking your 11-straight premierships.

North Queensland Cowboys

North Queensland Cowboys' Tom Dearden poses with fans at the coaching clinic in Atherton-Tinaroo. Picture: Supplied
North Queensland Cowboys' Tom Dearden poses with fans at the coaching clinic in Atherton-Tinaroo. Picture: Supplied
Cowboys fans show their support during the NRL Qualifying Final match between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Cowboys fans show their support during the NRL Qualifying Final match between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

A Cowboys fan such as yourself can’t help but yell “up ya go Troncy” at every single opportunity, which is admirable considering the fact that Shane has not featured for North Queensland since 2009.

You usually try to fit in as many screenings of the 2015 grand final as humanly possible during a regular week, and a post-win celebration will typically involve a multi-hour listening session of ‘Life at the Outpost’ on repeat. You think Matty Bowen is the greatest rugby league player of all time, and “Carn’ the Cows” is your most frequently-used phrase.

Parramatta Eels

Pictured is Parramatta Eels player Mitchell Moses posing for a photo with a fan who had been watching on at the Parramatta Eels training ground in Kellyville during an open training session ahead of this weekends 2022 NRL Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers. Picture: Richard Dobson
Pictured is Parramatta Eels player Mitchell Moses posing for a photo with a fan who had been watching on at the Parramatta Eels training ground in Kellyville during an open training session ahead of this weekends 2022 NRL Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers. Picture: Richard Dobson

It’s been a long time, and you can see it on your face if you’re an Eels fan. They boast when times are good, but when they are not, no team supporters like to play victim more than Paramatta. One week, after a win of course, you can’t get rid of them, the next, ignoring messages and refusing to talk to you.

New Zealand Warriors

New Zealand Warriors V Penrith Panthers – Warriors Fans. NRL Photos
New Zealand Warriors V Penrith Panthers – Warriors Fans. NRL Photos

Who doesn’t love the Wahs? They are usually happy fans who, no matter what, will embrace with some banter and enjoy a beer or two with the opposition after a game. They don’t know success very well, but maybe that’s what keeps them so grounded. Up the Wahs!

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/what-your-nrl-team-says-about-you/news-story/37e3d68af8ca4ad646dc37cb964673b0