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61-year-old Newcastle native Bruce Bridgewater watched the US vs Canada hockey fights last weekend with sheer jealousy and anger that his sport no longer has such heartfelt punch-ons.
The Novocastrian handyman says he grew up during the height of NRL biff and that the game went soft decades ago.
The recent ice hockey grudge match between a euphorically patriotic United States and an unusually aggressive Canada brought back Bruce’s resentment towards what they’ve done to his beloved game.
The international hockey game became tense within moments as Canadian fans booed the US anthem after Trump announced harsh tariffs and teased annexing the second-largest nation on Earth.
It wasn’t long before the hockey match was transformed into a UFC bout, with both Canadian and American players exchanging ferocious blows.
While the violent interruptions to the game were viewed in horror by many, there were some, like Bruce, who watched on with both awe and envy.
Relatives of Bruce claim they saw the man sentimentally resting his palm on the TV screen, longing for the days of violent punch-ons in his sport, Rugby League.
“It took me back to the 80’s watching those men give it their all,” Bruce explained while trying to hold back tears.
“What they’ve done to our game is absolutely unforgivable” shaking his head in frustration.
For Bruce, it’s not just about the violence, but the spirit of the game that has been lost — a sense of camaraderie mixed with fierce competition.
“I just want to see the passion back, the players throwing punches for pride, or over genuine dislike for each other, or for no reason at all” he said, his voice full of nostalgia.
His frustration is shared by other former fans, who say the softening of the sport has caused them to lose interest entirely.
“If the NRL ever decides to bring back the biff, they’ll have my full support” Bruce concluded.
“If they keep doubling down on the suspensions for closed fists. I might have to start exploring these winter sports”
