Hell Or High Water

It was only a few months back that a human kayak goal celebration at Suncorp Stadium was something to laugh about. Now, it seems eerily prophetic.

I should have expected it really. Such displays of arrogance rarely go unpunished in the realm of professional sport. Usually such ledger-squaring can be chalked up to poetic justice but there is nothing just about what has befallen our fair city in the past fortnight.

Amid the scenes of devastation - the tears of those that tragically lost loved ones to the torrent, the destroyed homes and livelihoods of decent hard working people, the idyllic suburban streets that became muddied canals - the least important is the sight of a multi-million dollar football stadium with a little bit of flood damage.

But this is still a football blog and so I feel I must somewhat stick to the script. To be clear though, my commentary is not to be construed in any way as taking the focus away from the real victims of this disaster.

If you want to contribute to the ongoing clean-up and rebuilding of Brisbane then please click here to find out ways you can assist those in need. Just like on game day all support, be it big or small, will make a difference and is truly appreciated.

Now I somewhat reluctantly move on to ask the question that many Roar fans are posing this week - why, oh why, are we playing our next two home games at the ground of our bitterest rivals, starting with the match against Wellington on Australia Day?

Of the many reasons proffered not one of them stands up to the kind of harsh scrutiny I feel it is my responsibility to undertake on behalf of my fellow Roar fanatics.

The first reason, as it has been reported, is that the abilities of the Queensland Police Service would be stretched by the hosting of a football fixture in Brisbane while so much else needs their attention elsewhere.

Sounds fair enough at first but don't be fooled, this is a purely emotive argument that tugs at the heartstrings and plays a small violin especially for the gullible.

You see, it appears it is not too much of a stretch for the boys in blue to find the numbers to police the cricket across the two days prior to Australia Day and again a few days after as a series of high-profile cricket matches are played at the Gabba.

So why is it that football folk have been asked to forsake their home ground advantage when others can continue on as though nothing's amiss?

The question must surely be asked that if numbers are so thin then why are any major sporting events being held in southern Queensland at all this month?

I would like to think we are all in this hellish situation together but it seems that once again it is simply a case of some sports being more equal than others - although after nearly quarter of a decade following football in this country it is something I have come to expect.

The second reason is somewhat similar to the first - that the free public transport service that would shuttle fans from suburban centres to any alternative stadium would also be strained.

This problem, if it is even a problem at all, could be solved by either restricting the service so that it only operates from the city centre or perhaps hiring private bus lines to pick up the slack.

Or, then again, it could be removed from the equation by simply not offering free public transport to the game at all.

I am certain Brisbane fans would understand if they had to organise their own transport to and from games until the end of the regular season. Heck, the club could support a car-pooling initiative through the official website or social networking hubs and even slap the "fan-made" marketing stamp of approval on it, turning a negative in to a positive if need be.

But of course, that is not as easy as simply giving up. And all too often the A-League seems to take the easy way out - New Zealand Knights and North Queensland Fury would likely attest to that.

Finally, some have claimed that Skilled Park is the nearest venue that meets the broadcast standards for an A-League fixture. This appears to be simply untrue.

Back in December, when the ego-rock stylings of Bon Jovi and U2 pockmarked the pristine playing surface at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Roar had fully intended to host their fixture against Perth Glory at Ballymore.

If the facilities at the home of rugby union were good enough for broadcasters and the FFA barely two months ago then surely they are good enough now. The pitch itself is certainly still up to standard to host competitive fixtures.

This weekend the Roar Women will play their final regular season match against Newcastle at the Herston venue and last Thursday, at the peak of the flood crisis I witnessed the Reds rugby squad training on the surface with my own eyes.

Furthermore, it is not the only ground in the Brisbane Metropolitan area that could host an A-League match. Other suggested alternatives have been the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (nee QEII Stadium) and even the Gabba which hosted Olympic Games football before the modern incarnation of Suncorp Stadium was completed.

But of course my ranting and raving will not change the decision that has been made and for the next two home games (if not more) the Roar's home away from home will be Skilled Park - the home ground of our most detested rivals.

And just maybe that is where the poetic justice really does come in to play. That in times of trouble everyone needs to come together and do what they can to lend a hand. Even if that means putting aside a healthy on-field rivalry.

But I can assure you of one thing, no matter where the matches are played for the rest of the season, the Roar faithful will turn up. Real fans will always support their team - come hell or high water.

PS: Despite my colourful commentary I am not angry at the club, the police service, any government departments or even much-maligned insurance companies that spend millions for the naming rights of a stadium. I'm really only angry at the weather that unfairly punished a beautiful city full of fantastic people. As football fans I hope you can appreciate how therapeutic the venting of anger can be and forgive me my excesses. It's been a pretty trying fortnight, y'know.