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For over twenty-odd years, the Goannas have been fortunate enough to have many dyed-in-the-wool fans supporting the players whether the games are played in Saitama, Chiba, or anywhere across the Tokyo plains. From Lorien Parker bringing out the Allens snakes during quarter-time breaks to Annmaree Scanlan cutting fresh oranges for the players and hurling colourful language at opposition and umpires alike.
Still, there have been rumours the club is debating whether it needs to move with the times and start figuring out ways to add a bit of innovation and "oomph" to match-day support and entertainment. One of the suggestions that has seen the greatest debate recently is the use of game-day cheerleaders much akin to American sports.
It is understood the Goannas US export Doug Bonham has been the main driver for this. When approached, Bonham chose not to give too much away. Initially saying he "frankly didn't care" either way. He later opened up to explain further.
"As an American, the more I see 'cheer squads' behind the goals in the AFL the more I wonder why television coverage even has live microphones near them to pick up their mediocre "chants". American cheerleaders are cute and never heard from, which is a massive upgrade to say the least. It should be something we at least look into".
Although having the presence of cheerleaders with red and white pom-poms is without doubt a dramatic departure from the norm and what some may call 'un-Australian', it has been done before. The Nagoya Redbacks have only ever beaten the Goannas once. That was in 2013 when they recruited a cheerleading team to perform on the day with baseball-style music blairing through the speakers after every home-team goal.
The current Goanna captain Daniel Last can still recall that fateful day: "It was a very dark day for me playing out of the back pocket. I had 5 goals kicked on me, and every time another went through the Redback Ra Ra Girls came on to give a cheer. The worst part of the whole ordeal was that I ended up winning the three votes for best on, simply due to the number times my involvement in the play resulted in another show for the Goannas. It was possibly the worst day ever - or the best. I'm still not sure".
Whether this would have the same effect on the much more disciplined Japanese players would be another matter. Definitely in Bonham's corner though, Peter Apps was candid about his views when asked whether cheerleading is the way of the future this week.
"I love it. I thought about it so many times. I had some fun ideas if we had a couple of girls we could possibly mix it up with a few boys for a laugh before a game".
In fact, so eager for the idea was Apps he had began drawing plans for what it may look like by photo-shopping players into photos of professional cheer-leaders - as seen by the accompanying photos to this article.
Club President Sam Ghirardello was non-commital about it all however.
"I would say that we already have an awesome cheer squad - unfortunately they don't actually do any cheering or pay any attention to the game, but they're a cheer squad nonetheless!"
When asked whether Bonham had approached him about this officially, Ghirardello laughed off the suggestion.
"I think the Big Dog would love some cheerleaders on the sidelines - Portland style! Might inspire a few Warwick Capper moments in the big fella".
The concern I have though is that I do fear the cheerleaders would distract the spectators from the sublime skills on the field".
It would seem without the President's thumbs up (not taking into account he actually broke his thumb in the Round 1 encounter), Bonham's idea increasingly looks like one to be scuppered. Notwithstanding, it wouldn't be the first time senior leaders did an about-face if Bonham and Apps can gain enough support and momentum for the idea. What they need first would be willing cheerleaders.
When #Goannasmedia tried asking one of the player WAG's whether she would be open to being a cheerleader armed with pom-poms for the team, her texted reply was simply "lol".
Surprisingly, even fellow North American James Bash Dennier was not so eager for the idea to happen.
"Cheerleaders usually do their stuff during breaks and timeouts. Like soccer, footy is a continuous sport so you have have a set time for them to dance. Still, having some pretty girls would keep guys from getting their pants pulled down so you never know. The Big Dog can be quite persuasive".
So although there may seem some support for the pro-cheerleading group, the mountain to climb seems quite substantial for the time being. It may yet be a while before we see the word 'Goannas' spelt out in body and limbs.
---
Have your say: What do you think about the team having an official game-day cheer leading squad? Post your thoughts in the Comments section below - we'd love to hear them.
Still, there have been rumours the club is debating whether it needs to move with the times and start figuring out ways to add a bit of innovation and "oomph" to match-day support and entertainment. One of the suggestions that has seen the greatest debate recently is the use of game-day cheerleaders much akin to American sports.
It is understood the Goannas US export Doug Bonham has been the main driver for this. When approached, Bonham chose not to give too much away. Initially saying he "frankly didn't care" either way. He later opened up to explain further.
"As an American, the more I see 'cheer squads' behind the goals in the AFL the more I wonder why television coverage even has live microphones near them to pick up their mediocre "chants". American cheerleaders are cute and never heard from, which is a massive upgrade to say the least. It should be something we at least look into".
Although having the presence of cheerleaders with red and white pom-poms is without doubt a dramatic departure from the norm and what some may call 'un-Australian', it has been done before. The Nagoya Redbacks have only ever beaten the Goannas once. That was in 2013 when they recruited a cheerleading team to perform on the day with baseball-style music blairing through the speakers after every home-team goal.
The current Goanna captain Daniel Last can still recall that fateful day: "It was a very dark day for me playing out of the back pocket. I had 5 goals kicked on me, and every time another went through the Redback Ra Ra Girls came on to give a cheer. The worst part of the whole ordeal was that I ended up winning the three votes for best on, simply due to the number times my involvement in the play resulted in another show for the Goannas. It was possibly the worst day ever - or the best. I'm still not sure".
Whether this would have the same effect on the much more disciplined Japanese players would be another matter. Definitely in Bonham's corner though, Peter Apps was candid about his views when asked whether cheerleading is the way of the future this week.
"I love it. I thought about it so many times. I had some fun ideas if we had a couple of girls we could possibly mix it up with a few boys for a laugh before a game".
In fact, so eager for the idea was Apps he had began drawing plans for what it may look like by photo-shopping players into photos of professional cheer-leaders - as seen by the accompanying photos to this article.
Club President Sam Ghirardello was non-commital about it all however.
"I would say that we already have an awesome cheer squad - unfortunately they don't actually do any cheering or pay any attention to the game, but they're a cheer squad nonetheless!"
When asked whether Bonham had approached him about this officially, Ghirardello laughed off the suggestion.
"I think the Big Dog would love some cheerleaders on the sidelines - Portland style! Might inspire a few Warwick Capper moments in the big fella".
The concern I have though is that I do fear the cheerleaders would distract the spectators from the sublime skills on the field".
It would seem without the President's thumbs up (not taking into account he actually broke his thumb in the Round 1 encounter), Bonham's idea increasingly looks like one to be scuppered. Notwithstanding, it wouldn't be the first time senior leaders did an about-face if Bonham and Apps can gain enough support and momentum for the idea. What they need first would be willing cheerleaders.
When #Goannasmedia tried asking one of the player WAG's whether she would be open to being a cheerleader armed with pom-poms for the team, her texted reply was simply "lol".
Surprisingly, even fellow North American James Bash Dennier was not so eager for the idea to happen.
"Cheerleaders usually do their stuff during breaks and timeouts. Like soccer, footy is a continuous sport so you have have a set time for them to dance. Still, having some pretty girls would keep guys from getting their pants pulled down so you never know. The Big Dog can be quite persuasive".
So although there may seem some support for the pro-cheerleading group, the mountain to climb seems quite substantial for the time being. It may yet be a while before we see the word 'Goannas' spelt out in body and limbs.
---
Have your say: What do you think about the team having an official game-day cheer leading squad? Post your thoughts in the Comments section below - we'd love to hear them.
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