Should NRL fans accept poor results as ‘part of the game?’

Recent comments published elsewhere which suggested that the Bulldogs and their fans have no right to expect to play finals footy each year have ignited a heated debate across social media as to whether or not fans should accept a lean patch every now and then as it is 'part of the game'.

A small part of what was said was absolutely correct, in that the Bulldogs don't have a god given right to play finals footy every year, and yes, they will miss out eventually.

Des Hasler has led his team to the finals for seemingly forever, and the longer his career went, the more likely that streak was going to be broken. The salary cap, injuries and plain bad luck have seen sides drop off after a period of sustained success.

But to suggest that Bulldogs fans simply sit back, wave their flags, and celebrate 'part of the game' rather than being angry at the horrible decisions that have seen their club turned from premiership heavyweights into fodder is absolutely ridiculous.

I am no Dogs fans, and I enjoy sinking the boot into the club that has caused my side such pain over the past decade just as much as anyone, but I am firmly in the corner of the furious Dogs fans right now.

They have every right to question how a side that such a force in recent times has been reduced to also-rans so quickly.

As do fans of eternal underachievers the Warriors, long suffering Knights fans, and every single fan of every single club.

The NRL is a professional business. The clubs are multi-million dollar empires created to win premierships and reward members, fans and the community that they represent.

Every single NRL club has one goal; to lift that beautiful, yet incredibly heavy, trophy in front of 80,000+ at ANZ Stadium in early October.

Any club that is operating with any other goal in mind should be folded yesterday.

Don't get me wrong, only one side can win the premiership each year, and failing to lift the trophy is not the only measure of success.

The North Queensland Cowboys were a success last season despite not retaining the title they won for the first time in 2015.

The Melbourne Storm had a hugely successful season despite falling short at the final hurdle.

That said, only the Cronulla Sharks achieved the ultimate goal. The goal every other NRL club set to achieve. The goal that every NRL club has spent years, and huge amounts of money, to achieve.

The Bulldogs earned their place in the finals last season, yet were ousted by a red hot Penrith Panthers side on a tear. This season, only winning the rest of their remaining games, combined with results elsewhere falling their way, will see them in a position to replicate last season.

To be effectively out of finals contention in round 21, with the roster on show at Belmore, is a downright failure.

They haven't had a Titans-like injury crisis that has seen them have to blood 15-year-olds from the stands. There has been no referee conspiracy or run of bad luck that has seen them robbed.

There's just been some horrible footy and head scratching decisions made.

Just who is to blame is another debate for another day, but one thing that is certain is that the fans deserve better, and have every right to express as such.

Make no mistake, Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods are genuine rep players arriving for next season, but does anyone really believe they will instantly turn the Dogs into premiership favourites over night?

Once again, this isn't about placing blame, but again I ask, why should Dogs fans simply sit there, some having paid literally hundreds, even thousands of dollars, to support their side, and be happy that their side will have an early holiday in 2017?

Sure they have arguably the best three players of the modern era, but without using google, does anyone remember the last time the Storm missed the finals due purely to results?

... me neither.

It doesn't look like the Storm missing the finals is part of their game.

Why should the Dogs, and fans of other sides who haven't lifted the title recently, accept it?

I tell you no if there's even one person in the Bulldogs set up from CEO to day-day volunteer that has that 'ah well, it is part of the game' mentality, then that is a club is in severe strife.