Passionate Cobar Roosters supporters attending Saturday’s major semi-finals at Tom Knight Memorial Oval have been put on notice to be on their best behaviour or risk being ejected from the ground.
The Roosters won the right to host the Castlereagh major semi final games this Saturday after the Cobar First Graders finished the 2026 season as minor premiers.
Along with the First Grade game, in which Cobar will play the Coonabarabran Unicorns, the Cobar club is also hosting the Dunedoo and Coolah League Tag teams and Coonabarabran’s Under 18s team who will play Cobar in the Youth League major semi final.
The winner of the First Grade game goes straight into the grand final and has the honour of hosting the grand final.
That honour will also hopefully go to Cobar, however that could be in jeopardy if any of the club’s fans step out of line.
The Cobar club hopes all players, volunteers, match officials and spectators will be able to enjoy a positive and respectful finals atmosphere.
Cobar Roosters secretary Myah Sullivan said following an incident at the Roosters’ last home game, the club wants to remind supporters about how their behaviour negatively impacts players, volunteers and match officials.
“Our main aim is to educate our supporters about how their behaviour can impact our players, volunteers and match officials,” Myah said.
“In particular, comments directed at referees can have a negative effect on the game and the people who give up their time to make it possible.
“We simply want to remind everyone that words matter and to encourage respectful behaviour from all supporters.”
While the Cobar Roosters have long had a reputation of being hard to beat at home, the club is also quickly gaining a reputation with other clubs for having some hostile fans.
The club reminds spectators that it condemns all violent and illegal acts, whether they involve players, coaches, officials, parents or spectators.
Supporters are expected to respect referees’ decisions and not complain or argue about calls during or after games.
Myah said unsportsmanlike language, harassment and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. She said the Roosters club is committed to creating a positive and welcoming environment for everyone attending Tom Knight Memorial Oval.
Any individual who fails to adhere to the club’s Code of Conduct will be asked to leave the premises, with their attendance at future events at Tom Knight Memorial Oval also subject to review.
With a big crowd expected for Saturday’s finals, the club is urging Roosters supporters to go along and enjoy the games, get behind their teams and cheer loudly but to also remember that respectful sideline behaviour is an important part of the game.
