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There was so much about Origin 1 that was great it’s hard to know where to start!
It probably began with Laurie Daley’s January camp for the the Blues, or perhaps when he decided who wouldn’t be invited to it.
The discipline associated with this 2014 campaign changed right then. The coach set standards of conduct that he expected, which challenged all those who wanted to be a part of the ‘New Blues’.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
When Mitchell Pearce broke ranks the coach got his first opportunity to show that he would stick solid to the new discipline standards.
Unlike the many episodes of drunken, loutish and unprofessional conduct we were forced to consider necessary for the young men to bond, this time we heard the captain, and then others, promise real self-discipline like a sports professional should.
The proof of the mythology associated with boozy bonding was a winning performance. Hopefully this will mean this culture in the Blues side is gone forever, and wouldn’t it be great if it filtered down to club footy? Could it even be a catalyst for change in our society?
And while on that theme, how good was it to watch a match full of such passion and physical commitment without a mad brawl! Again, another myth bubble was burst and congratulations to those officials who stood up to be counted last season. They saw it through in the face of the old brigade’s whinging about taking the toughness out of the game.
How tough was this Origin 1!
MORE ORIGIN:
>> Highlights, live blog and reaction
>> Full time report
>> State of Origin Game 1 player ratings
>> O’CONNELL: Five talking points from Origin 1
>> Cheap Seats Podcast: Origin 1 special
The tough stuff started with Laurie Daley’s higher standard setting, followed by his non-selection of previous halves, going in with rookies, and then formulating a bold plan to attack the champions.
Any challenge of achieving something that so many others had failed to do was going to require breaking the mould, changing the culture, creating new codes of what is expected and taking it to the champs.
[roar_cat_gal]
In the very first set, in their own end of the field, NSW showed Queensland what they were in for. A little Bulldog-like play with Gallen, another forward and Reynolds out the back who caught and passed to runners on the edge did the trick.
Not Harlem Globe Trotter fancy stuff, not even Moree Boomerang silky handling skills, but enough to unsettle the Maroons.
There was no break made on the play, nor were there on the many other times NSW used these little combos, but they did make some soft metres out there on the edges of the field on most occasions. They managed to find a quick play the ball and a follow up go forward play and create some space to get the kick they needed to continue to build pressure on their opponents.
A dash of daring from the coach to develop these little combination plays certainly made the young Bulldogs halves feel like they were playing that brand of footy they were comfortable with. Smart coaching!
Finally, some luck went the way of the Blues. Queensland loss of Cooper Cronk made their job a little easier, even though it was the NRL’s most consistent player in Cherry-Evans who replaced him. DCE didn’t ice this chance like he has in almost everything else he has faced in the past couple of seasons.
Nor did Cameron Smith, who has been icing everything in footy for a decade. It’s not wise to overly criticise real champions but it’s now apparent in his performances for club and state that he is not what he once was.
I think that might also apply to another champion in Billy Slater, who just could quite turn the tide for his team as he has done so many times before.
But let’s give proper credit that to the committed 80 minute performance of 17 NSW players.
They responded to the new standards of preparation set for the biggest challenge in footy – defeating the eight-time champions of Origin.
Part one only was achieved last night. The standards required for the next event in the series will most definitely be higher again. I am sure you are as eager as I am to see which band of men can get to that highest point in Origin 2.
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