Its true that most of them were well over 40. My grouse wasnt with the majority of Giants fans as there were only about a dozen who were giving us stick. It was the way the stewards, some of whom could clearly hear the racist language, ignored the behaviour of those fans and simply ordered us out of the stand.

My point is that you can sit at the side at the Gapharm but, it appears, only if the home fans around you are prepared to tolerate you. They have effective right of veto.

I've been to quite a few Giants matches over the years, more often as a neutral rather than a Bulls supporter. Since they started opening up the end behind the posts there does seem to have been a growing intolerance of away supporters who prefer to sit at the side.

I sat at the side last year (due to getting some cheap tickets) and they were all fine with me standing and applauding when we scored, as well as shouting throughout the game. I was in a reasonably quiet area though (was fairly near the corner that would connect the side stand to the away end).

I think as you say, it just depends on who you get sat near, but that's the same at every ground.

Unfortunately I'd say the tolerating of home fans chanting in that way is also something I've seen at more grounds than I'd like. I've certainly heard it at Hull (which was the loudest, and right next to disinterested stewards) and at Wakefield (from people who also were ignored). Shame really as that's the sort of thing that helps to stop the game spreading.

Looking at the BBC weather on line it looks more like fog has become the main worry now.

It seems a bit strange that Giants' fans would object to away supporters going into the side stands at the Galpharm, they, after all, are the only set of visiting fans who largely use the pop terrace at the Grattan.

have to agree with DG in that i've never seen anyone asked to move by the stewards unless they are makin total pillocks out of themselves and winding ppl up, im not saying this never happens but i've never known it to happen, yes any away supporters sat on the kilner bank will get some banter thrown about but thats all it is unless your a leeds chav wanting to kick off in front of your mates

could have been the intolerables you came across were town fans? who have a pretty bad hatred of anything bradford

anyway im sure if you sat in the kilner bank 5 times you'd get no bother for the other 4 times

Orford's article in the T&A today sounds good. We won't play fancy rugby first, just complete sets and be disciplined. Sounds good to me, not trying to run before we can walk.

i've sat with giants fans before on the kilner bank and the banter was good natured (Robbie Paul was getting abuse for being rubbish and then he scored the next try
both sets of fans optimistic (hudds have good reason to be after last year) I think it's going to be a no frills battle in the pack given the weather. our backs are much better this year but our pack lacks a bit of impact. I think Kearney/Reardon/Halley will be called upon with their pace and broken field running if we're going to do well out of this. obviously i'm rooting for the bulls but we will have to shore up in defence to stop brown and robinson calling the shots.

As will they with Kearney & Orford

Indeed, Hull KR are the only other fans who seem to use the popular terrace in any numbers (but thats probably just because there simply is not enough room for them all at the Rooley lane end )

Before the away end was used at Hud I've never had any problem with the giants fans or stewards. But then it used to be easier to find a quiet area in the stands than it is now Huds fans are normally a welcoming enough bunch from my experience.

Looking forward to the game now, can't wait, should be a good contest even with the conditions I reckon. Game on.

I'm more interested to see how we are in defence than attack tonight, I'm hoping for a really strong defensive performance.

I tooke being disciplined to mean not missing many tackles aswell, not just about giving away penalties. But yes, a good defensive display in our first match will be very encouraging.

I think perhaps BJ and Deacon were players had in mind when Macca spoke of the new personnel being better defenders. Ox is strong defensively as well as offensively and I expect Kearney to be a significant improvement on BJ. Cooke stepped round him at Hull KR but other than that he has looked a sound defender and it is another weakness we have addressed from last year.

I agree with that, Kearney is a good defender -well you have to be to be a Full back in the NRL- And Ox is even better, and puts some hits in for his size. I think Hall will be an improvement (defensively) on Morrison, even though Morrison was nearly as solid as you could get, and you could never knock the effort. On top of that L'Estrange gets about alot more than Newton, and is alot fitter, meaning his defence is alot better if we have to repeat sets etc.

All I can say is COYB!!!

Good luck tonight! Hope you start the season with a win