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Until last year, rugby league and the hype of State of Origin existed on the periphery of my sporting radar.
Why? I was raised in Adelaide, which means growing up just about as disconnected from the affixes of rugby as is possible in an Australian capital city. You need look no further than the pointless Saturday morning slot (1:30 to 5:30am) that Nine’s Friday night NRL doubleheader populates to understand the ease at which it can be ignored.
But with a move east to the heart of Blues territory, it quickly became impossible to maintain a fleeting interest, particularly in State of Origin. I lived in Sydney now, a city that turns Blue for weeks every year without fail.
Unexpectedly, I was genuinely captured by the hype. In Adelaide, Origin provides some mid-week watching several times a year, but little else. In Sydney, the energy is real and the contest transcends one’s usual love, half-assed backing, or complete lack of interest in rugby league.
As the hype built, it didn’t take long to be captured by the romance, or for the jealousy to set in, as it seems to do for so many AFL fans each year, spurring a desire to see State of Origin return to the AFL.
It’s brilliant for rugby league. It used to be brilliant for Aussie rules. It could be brilliant again… Right?
Since word of player support for an AFL State of Origin revival emerged from the AFL Players Association, there’s been excitement for the concept’s revival, ideas for complex systems involving every state that span season upon season, as well as wholehearted rejection for the idea.
For the advocates, one simple (yet vital) element appears to always rear its difficult head: inclusion.
Rekindling an old system would see Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia up against ‘The Allies’ (the rest). The former three are clear essentials, the latter unfortunately incites little pride and would be a self-inflicted wound should they attempt to revive it.
That leaves three. So the options are: 1) choosing to include every state and territory individually (with the ACT absorbed by NSW); or 2) excluding all but the traditional Aussie rules states.
For a competition so invested in growth in non-traditional markets, the notion of ever taking the exclusion path is mad. Unfortunately the only other option is a system thats nearest comparison would be the Cricket World Cup member nations more often than not facing up against associate sides. Not a recipe for guaranteed entertainment.
While contemplating the need to include, it becomes clear that the true end goal is essentially a balanced national competition. Yes, just like that thing that is already pretty well established.
It is actually blindingly obvious that a move to revive a State of Origin system would be a backward step in promoting any game to a nation as a whole.
Fans want to be included and support a competitive team, not be alienated by birth.
The State of Origin rivalry, as it exists in rugby league, is one of the greatest spectacles that fans of a contest will ever get to witness, but it’s not something the AFL, or its fans, should desire to recreate.
As long as State of Origin thrives, NSW and Queensland will stand as symbols of supremacy, and the excluded will be difficult to truly capture.
As an outsider now living on the inside, my only gripe against the games is that I’ll never feel truly part of them. It’s the pinnacle of a sport, and I’ll never have a team. It’s a championship game I have no hope of ever attending with genuine emotion in tow.
At its heart, State of Origin is a fantastic celebration of a sport – it pits the best players in front of the most passionate fans. But at the same time, it’s like throwing your best party and only inviting half your mates – three times every year!
Scheduling, injuries, and securing star power are all touted as hurdles to an AFL State of Origin revival.
The real hurdle would be restoring old barriers that stifle inclusion.
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