So rugby league people from north of the Victorian border are again baying for the Melbourne Storm's blood. So what's new?
The reigning premiers couldn't care less if many in Sydney and Brisbane have jumped on the Manly bandwagon for Sunday's game, even if that for them means doing what was once the unthinkable.
The Storm have dealt with their share of criticism from traditional rugby league people ever since they entered the competition a decade ago, with the likes of Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald leading the charge.
And since coach Craig Bellamy began to revive the club in recent years the chorus of disapproval has again gone to ridiculous levels, particularly with the constant bleating about grapples, crushers, chicken wings, etc…
Yes Melbourne players have been guilty of illegal tackles and holds during matches but to try and blame the Storm for all the tactics that are employed in an attempt to slow the play-the-ball is bordering on hysteria.
Cam Smith has put up his hand to say he did the wrong thing in his tackle on Sam Thaiday a couple of weeks ago, and will pay the ultimate price by missing this week's decider.
But he rightly pointed out, in echoing Bellamy's clumsy rant from several days before, that he is not the first nor will he be the last player to grapple an opponent, yet he has been hit with a massive penalty when others have gone punished.
As Smith said, all he wants is a level playing field and to see others also have the kitchen sink thrown at them when they too step out of line, regardless of the colours on their jersey.
In hindsight, Bellamy and Melbourne CEO Brian Waldron would admit they went further than they'd have preferred with their comments last Friday but they came as a result of nearly a week of ugly headlines attacking the club.
And to say people want to see Manly successful this week because they are sick of the way the Storm carry themselves, well that only plays into Bellamy and his players' hands anyway.
The adversity only galvanises a playing group that has little choice but to be tighter than others in the competition because the players are forced to be away from their extended families/support networks in a state not renowned as a rugby league stronghold.
You can also say what you like about the Storm on the field but at least their record is better than most in the competition when it comes to players doing the right thing off the field, headed by retiring veteran Matt Geyer.
As for neutrals choosing which team to follow on Sunday, anyone with any knowledge of the game would be far better choosing the creative flair of the 2007 champions than the plodders from the northern beaches.
Criticism of Melbourne Storm from Sydney and Brisbane is nothing new and they wouldn't have it any other way as they again look to thumb their noses at their critics this weekend.