For most of the 21st century, the once great NSW as a sporting state has wallowed in its own mediocrity.
In 14 years, NSW has won just four Sheffield Shields – in 2002-03, 2004-05, 2007-08 – and are the current holders.
In the AFL, the Swans were premiers in 2005 and 2012.
In State of Origin, NSW won the rugby league series in 2003, 2004, 2005, and this month, after a record eight-year drought.
And in rugby, the Waratahs have never won the super tournament that kicked off in 1996, but have been in three losing finals in 2002 under Bobby Dwyer, and in 2005 and 2008 under Ewen McKenzie.
Mighty small pickings over 14 years.
But by September, NSW has every chance to be Sheffield Shield, AFL, Origin and Super Rugby champions at the same time, a feat no state has ever achieved.
Mighty big pickings for a state that is hated by both Queensland and Victoria making NSW the ham in the sandwich.
The Sheffield Shield is a done deal, so too the Origin, while the Swans have just chalked up their 12th successive win, equalling the club record set in 1935 when they were South Melbourne.
Next up is an undermanned Hawthorn for the club record, with the Swans odds-on to regain the flag.
Shaping up just as superbly are the Waratahs, having just set a new franchise record of 11 wins in a season, seven successive wins, the most tries with 59, the most points with 481 and with the biggest points difference of 209.
Take a bow coaches Trevor Bayless, Johnny Longmire, Laurie Daley and Michael Cheika. Each one of them has transformed the culture of their sport from easy beats into champions.
Bayless was mysteriously overlooked three years ago as NDE cricket coach, but he beat 50 other applicants in 2013 which has proved to be a first class decision.
Longmire was always going to be a success as Paul Roos’ protege, and that has been proved correct as well.
Daley was a shot in the dark last season, even though the Maroons won their record eight series. But this year, with that experience under his belt, Daley produced the goods.
The same Daley formula applies to Cheika. A vast improvement in his first stint last year, with this year a revelation.
It’s all about getting back to a winning culture.
In the past NSW, competing in four of the biggest sports, lost its way to alarming levels, with the possible exception of the Swans.
It took a touch of genius from all four coaches for NSW to be in the strong position it enjoys right now.
It’s a huge improvement on past performances, All you’ve got to do is see the smiling faces as each one of the four sports revel in positive, and entertaining, victories.
Long may that be the case.
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