The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Daley pledges to show that most Queensland of traits - loyalty

Is Laurie Daley the man to take on the Titans? (Photo: @NRLPhotos)
Expert
23rd April, 2015
16

NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley has predicted loyalty will play a huge role at the Blues selection table for this year’s series.

That’s a big switch for NSW – loyalty has traditionally been Queensland’s forte.

Since the Origin series kicked off in 1982 (in 1980 and ’81 they were one-off games) there have been 102 games, with Queensland winning 54, NSW 46, and two drawn.

Throughout that period Queensland have only used 179 players to NSW’s 255.

The loyalty card was even more noticeable during Queensland’s record-breaking eight successive series wins from 2006 to 2013. Queensland only used 48 players, but NSW passed that mark during the third series in 2008. By the time Queensland had set their record, NSW had selected 88 players.

In the Queensland sides there was a constant core of brilliant footballers – Johnathan Thurston played 27, Cameron Smith 26, Nate Myles 24, Greg Inglis 23, Sam Thaiday 21, Billy Slater 21, Darius Boyd 20, Petero Civoniceva 19, Darren Lockyer 18, Matthew Scott 18, and Cooper Cronk 16.

NSW couldn’t possibly compete on those terms – Jarryd Hayne played 20, Paul Gallen 19, Greg Bird 14, Kurt Gidley 12, and Ben Creagh 11.

Little wonder Queensland won 17-7 in Origin games during their record.

Advertisement

But the ultimate Queensland loyalty was shown to Mal Meniga, who coached all eight of those record series. In the same period NSW picked four coaches – Graeme Murray (2006-2007), Craig Bellamy (2008-2010), Ricky Stuart (2011-2012), and Daley.

This year Daley will have to compete against the usual massive firepower Queensland will send onto the park, arguably more with the Maroons still hurting after the 2-1 loss last year. But Daley will lose a home game to the MCG when it was NSW’s turn to host two Origins.

If the rugby league heirachy genuinely believe staging an Origin game at the MCG will promote the 13-man code in the 18-man heartland, they are delusional

Melburnians don’t give a rats about rugby league. If you can’t talk AFL in Melbourne for 13 months a year, you’d have nobody to talk to. All that ridiculous MCG decision has achieved is forcing the Queensland and NSW faithful to pay for extra air fares and accommodation.

If there are 80,000 at the MCG on June 17 for Origin 2, there will be 70-75,000 from NSW and Queensland all having to dig deep to pay for a fanciful whim that denies NSW a due home game.

Had Queensland been denied a home game for the MCG, the explosions would have been heard nationwide, and with every good reason.

There are some iconic Australian sporting events that should never be tampered with: the MCG for the AFL grand final, the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, the Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park, and the Australian Formula One championship at Albert Park.

Advertisement

Plus ANZ Stadium in Sydney for the NRL grand final, and the SCG for the New Year’s Day Test.

And no Origin games at the MCG, only Suncorp and ANZ Stadium for those who care.

close