Talk of killing Titans and Suns? I’ve had a gutful

Collingwood, it’s time to go. Hawthorn, you will merge. And the Roosters, you’re heading to Perth.

COLLINGWOOD, it’s time to go. Hawthorn, you will merge.

And the Roosters, you’re heading to Perth.

You’d get shouted down very quickly if you sincerely suggested the above, yet apparently treating the Titans and Suns as a footy punching bag is OK.

Another week, another bunch of suggestions from elsewhere as to why the clubs – our clubs – must fold or relocate.

ARROW REVEALS ONE FACTOR TO DECIDE HIS FUTURE

Those beating the “it’s too transient” drum, or those more sensibly pointing to results, probably need to make that doomsday pitch to the legion of five-year-olds on the Coast who, while understandably downtrodden, are future generation supporters of those franchises.

I for one have had a gutful.

Firstly, my five-year-old won’t let go of his Titans footy.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon of the Newcastle Knights celebrates a try with team mates during the round 24 NRL match at McDonald Jones Stadium. Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images

And he could not have been prouder than when he wore his Titans jumper to a game this season.

SAD JOKE HAS GONE ON TOO LONG

Did he care that the team lost that day? Well, yes.

But any fan worth their salt knows that the best time to stick with your side is when they are down.

The easy thing to do is jump onboard when they are winning.

Those five-year-olds on the Gold Coast merely need a reason to hang in there. A glimmer of hope to know that in a few years they could be tasting grand final glory.

So would the NRL like to axe the Titans, as has been suggested? Not if they want to crush the grass shoots emerging from the kids on the Coast.

Then there are the Suns.

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A Herald Sun poll this week saw people in Melbourne vote like this when asked what should happen to the Suns: Don’t care - 26 per cent, Fold them - 52 per cent; Keep them - 22 per cent.

Try asking those fans who have been showing up to eight years of beatings what they think about that.

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So those in Melbourne who may not have even been to Metricon Stadium are essentially telling those rusted-on fans that they have wasted their time. Talk about disrespect.

Until we see the proper fruits of clubs barely 10 years old, spare me all this doomsday chat.