ANY parent knows that the most quickly effective form of discipline is to take away the thing a child most cares about.

What do the puerile, juvenile morons who like lighting flares at football matches really care about? They care about belonging, and feeling tough, and the chance to be part of something just a little bit dangerous.

They care about the world looking at them, and love the smell of power just as much as the aroma of burning cordite.

Closing the active end of Pirtek Stadium is the ultimate punishment for flare-lighting Wanderers fans. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

So when Western Sydney’s response to the actions of a few of their supporters is worked through by Football Federation Australia on Wednesday, and proportional consequences are debated by the game’s authorities, it’s worth asking the question of what would hurt those responsible most directly.

A points deduction? A fine? Games behind closed doors? All have collateral damage to innocent parties connected to the club. The question is what would work. What would hurt those responsible, and foment those around them into acting against the perpetrators.

A points deduction hurts the players and coach Tony Popovic. Even a suspended sentence means they know they will carry the consequences of further transgressions. But would it really affect the behaviour of those so determined to dance to their own misguided tune?

A fine would certainly concentrate the mind of owner Paul Lederer, but he is as resolutely opposed to the antics of a handful as anyone. He is the one driving the campaign for a new, world-class stadium with (presumably) cutting edge security.

Forcing the club to play behind closed doors would be a draconian response, albeit one that other clubs don’t think is necessarily unfair. It would also punish the thousands of other fans who attend peacefully every home game.

It’s also true to note that home games are largely incident free. But the fact is that the flares, the detonators and all the issues arise from the active supporter areas, whether that’s home or away.

Not every member in that section at Pirtek Stadium is part of the RBB, but they still love being part — including families and kids — of a frenetic, inspiring atmosphere.

In amongst them though are the idiots determined to make it all about them.

A ban on supporters travelling to away games is hugely impractical. Stopping Wanderers fans buying tickets for the derby at Allianz would be next to impossible.

So maybe it’s time to consider closing the active end at Pirtek Stadium for a specified period — one game, two games — to take away the one experience those involved most treasure.

Yes, it would be hugely unfair on the hundreds who would also miss out. But the pressure that would be brought to bear on that handful of hooligans as a consequence might just have the effect we are all seeking.