One of the saddest days in Rugby League history - another 2 football clubs lose their individual identity.

In AFL they have Richmond Tigers & Collingwood Magpies. AFL supporters have shown tremendous courage, fortitude & determination to support foundation clubs. Relocating those clubs to Melbourne instead of creating a artificial construct of Super League called the cheats Melbourne Storms. Both clubs would’ve remained their heritage in Sydney as Sydney (South Melbourne) Swans & Fitzroy (Brisbane) Lions. In addition when Brisbane Bears took over Fitzroy Lions they embraced the clubs history, logo & identity for the most part and recognition that they were Fitzroy. Why?? because Brisbane took on Fitzroy to assist in there popularity in Melbourne and they knew the value of taking on Fitzroy. What Rugby League did to those foundation clubs & to North Sydney, then South Sydney & to have the Sydney Roosters pretend they stand for history during that period insulted me as a Bears supporter. For me George Piggins deserves to have a bronze statue of him on the steps of South Sydney Council, Redfern Oval & Administration. His tireless effort for reintroduction of the mighty bunnies should be applauded, celebrated & remembered forever.

Great footage. I was only seven when the merger took place so I can't really remember it happenning so thanks for this video.

A new logo with both a magpie and a tiger on the same circle on the chest would look better.

The grand final of 1999 was also a sad day because that marked the day that North Sydney Bears wouldn't exist

No Sound for Anyone Else?

I find it strange that we constantly hear about Balmain starting off as the financially strong club in this joint venture. This video clearly proves that neither club was in a financially powerful situation and both clubs felt it was a case of merge or die. Both clubs (not just Wests) voted heavily for the merger, as they couldn't see long term viability for their clubs. Only recently have we seen a situation where one party (Wests) is having to financially contribute more than 50% of funds.

It's amazing how over time things change. At the start of the merger Balmain were the ones with the power and more money (They didn't have to merge but the NRL lied to them saying they wouldn't be able to compete with other teams). Now we are in the present and it's Wests with all the power and more money than Balmain.

@clubberlang589

3 жыл бұрын

Because Balmain chose to slowly fall into non existence

@concretedavidson

9 ай бұрын

@@clubberlang589 Because Wests Ashfield became one of the richest clubs in the state

I wasn't happy with the merger. I was a Magpies fan and went to Canberra Raiders

The NRL is rubbish today.

I remember as a kid when this was all happening, and was so glad when we went with the maggies! originally we had intended to merge with Parramatta which would of been hell! We were to be the Parramatta Tigers playing out of their stadium in their colours! Tigers and maggies = 50:50

@clubberlang589

3 жыл бұрын

How dare those clubs that sprung out because of the foundation clubs. So you know what they can get lost.

@clevelandwilliams5922

2 жыл бұрын

Balmain Tigers & North Sydney Bears would’ve been the best merger. We share the same borders & both are foundation clubs. We would share the same crest equal Bear & Tiger logo

@llandod77 I was born I western Sydney I hold western Tigers highly me second team but I follow the storm A I watch the come back in the 99 Grand final against the saints they won been a storm fan since has to go with the last name lol but in terms of the NRL fans you support your club threw and threw the western maggies members did the right thing get the club to survive every time we see the Western Suburbs run out we will remember the last 92 years of the maggies

stuff bowelmange

storm cheats on and off the field