Hate is a pretty strong word.

We’d all like to think there’s no place for the darkest of all emotions in sport, however only the naive or deluded would believe it dpesn’t exist. It was there at its inglorious worst for all to see in the Aussie Stadium terraces at Friday night’s game between the Bulldogs and Roosters.

It’s there every time the fiercest rivals of the soccer world — like the two Manchester clubs — confront each other.

It’s also present at State of Origin time or when New Zealand meets South Africa in rugby. You can bet it’s also there when a player in any code comes up against a club that may have ditched him.

It’s also how North Sydney rugby league supporters feel about Manly.

The rivalry between the two northside clubs has been keen ever since the Sea Eagles took flight in 1947. After being strange bedfellows in the ill-fated Northern Eagles joint venture, the feeling is stronger than ever these days and understandably so after the Bears were left high and dry by their uncharitable neighbours.

No one in an official position at Norths would ever dare use the word “hate” when talking about Manly; that’s something left to the fans, however the antipathy is clearly in abundance. As Bears boss Greg Florimo — who played in numerous derbies — remarked: “It’s always sweet when we beat them.”

This Sunday, they have that opportunity ‘J when the two protagonists meet in Round 4 of E the NSW Premier League at Brookvale Oval.

Fuel is added to this fire by the fact that almost haif of Norths’ squad has some connection with the maroon and whites.

Scott and Brad McLean have played for either Manly or the Northern Eagles, while Nathan Smith, Christian Hill, Tim Casey, Matthew Mirabito, Tarei McKenzie and cap tain Ben Black are all products of the

peninsula. “I can’t wait for this one,” said j Black, a Beacon Hifi junior who is in his second year with Norths after quitting the Wests Tigers midway through 2002.

“It’s been in the back of my mind for a while now.

“The boys have been talking about it a fair 5 bit at training this week, so there’s going to be a lot of feeling in it, a lot of action.

“We’ll definitely be pretty fired up on Sunday.”

When the skipper emphasises “this is one game we want to win” it carries the dual purpose of knocking off their bitter rivals but more importantly in the bigger scheme of things, it is the victory they seek to officially open their account following two straight defeats and a bye.

Having averaged more than 20 points a game in the early part of the season, they clearly don’t lack confidence with the ball in hand, but conceding a point every two minutes so far wifi only lead them to another wooden spoon.

“We’ve got to play for the full 80 minutes instead of switching off for periods where we let teams run a lot of points in,” Black said.

If a confrontation with Manly can’t enhance their focus and produce a drought-breaking special, then nothing can.

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