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In probably the quietest media build-up since Origin was born, what do we get?
Full State of Origin wrap:
>> ORIGIN 1 MATCH REPORT
>> FULL ORIGIN RESULTS
>> Live blog and highlights
Surely, in 2015, we deserve a better and more investigative media than this.
Smith, the current Queensland and Australian captain, warrants a far greater mention going into a State series opener than this tawdry, spiteful scoop.
I thought it was disgusting and demeaning to one of league’s greatest ever players.
It was pretty much designed to hit a few nerves and generate much-needed clicks in a church-quiet Origin entree to date.
More 2015 State of Origin:
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» Why NSW will win Game 1
» Why Queensland will win Game 1
» State of Origin 2015: Game 1 preview
» PRICHARD: Maroons to win Origin 1
But Smith did not deserve to have that published about him, and never will.
He will simply shrug it all off. Water off the champion’s back. He’s the ultimate class act.
From where I sit, New South Wales (or at least, its mainstream media) is sounding petty and desperately nasty as the hours tick by leading to tonight’s Origin opener.
Both the Blue and Maroon camps virtually closed ranks last Friday. The media chooks have been given nothing: nada, zero, nought.
No grog fests to report; no missed curfews; no-one of note saying anything and, perhaps most importantly for the modern breed of journos – zilch doing on social media.
So what can the Daily Tele do when there are no bullets to fire? Easy.
Just launch a scathing, unwarranted attack on one of the best rugby league players we have ever seen, dragging up an unfortunate incident – an accident – from a recent Storm clash with Souths in which no action was taken during or after the game.
After widespread media pressure, Smith was charged with dangerous conduct by the Match Review Committee, but pleaded guilty to ensure he would be clear for the Origin opener in Sydney.
The Tele pretty much said Cameron Smith is way, way worse than Public Enemy No 1.
I feel it’s all wrong and I don’t like it one bit. A slow news week and some stoop to this.
I’ve been a part of the media for more than 30 years, (and I even worked proudly for The Daily Telegraph) but I don’t like the way it is presenting ‘news’ today.
I don’t care for it at all. We wake up to this ill-informed and malicious dross.
This columnist has never claimed that Cam Smith is a rugby league cleanskin. He is no angel and probably would never want to be labelled in that fashion.
The brilliant No. 9 plays the game hard and tough and often does what he can to extend its boundaries.
But he does not intentionally kick opponents in the head because they may, or may not, be threats to his mantle as the world’s premier hooker.
*****
May I also say that I arrived at my computer fully prepared to nut out a preview of tonight’s big one but I think the run of play will be pretty predictable.
The Blues will graft, claw and maybe even bash their way to half time but that will only be stalling the inevitable.
In my opinion, NSW lacks the creativity from their halves to manufacture the number of points needed to trouble Queensland.
The Maroons will weather a ferocious, physical storm for 40 or 50 minutes before they settle into rhythm and play the type of football for which their Ferrari backline is known.
Cronk and Thurston will be lethal and don’t be surprised if debutant Michael Morgan stars from the bench.
I believe he is a very special player in waiting. He can play anywhere and will revel in the jump up in class.
Maroons by 16.
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