There has been a huge amount written about State of Origin over recent days. Topics such as the Blues’ current malaise, just how many Queenslanders are future Immortals, what Laurie should do, why Bozo is there and so on.
Now I love State of Origin. I look forward to it every year.
But there’s been something missing from state matches in recent years. I have been wracking my brains trying to identify what this factor is, but to no avail.
I simply haven’t been able to put my finger on it.
Then I came across footage from Game 2 of the 1971 state series between New South Wales and Queensland, a match that was played at Lang Park on 29 May 1971 – a Saturday! – in front of 19,308 parochial Queenslanders.
On that afternoon, New South Wales easily accounted for Queensland, 30-2. But it’s not the result I yearn for, despite the past decade of pain and disappointment.
Then I came across actual footage from this match, and I quickly understood what was missing.
It’s the biff. And Wayne Bennett. But mainly the biff.
This state match had it all. There is more in this brief three minutes and 32 seconds than in the entire 2016 series thus far.
Consider the following.
There were a total of four players sent off by referee Keith Holman. Queenslanders Russell Hughes, Ray Laird and Rod Tolhurst and New South Welshman Bob O’Reilly (who was born in Rocklea, Queensland but was a Parramatta junior).
The Immortal and current Blues selector, Bob Fulton, was coat-hangered without the ball.
There is a brief glimpse of a young, lanky Wayne Bennett playing on the wing for Queensland (he incidentally scored Queensland’s only points with a penalty goal).
There was a three-man scrum, which I think we should bring back. It just works.
There was a ground invader who got a little too close and cosy with a Blues player.
The Queensland constabulary had to enter the field of play.
A couple of young Queensland lasses enjoyed the biff a little too much.
Queensland fans did the unthinkable and started throwing cans (and bottles!) onto the field. One of Queensland’s finest took an awesome catch in the outfield
So let’s lift out game for the final instalment of State of Origin 2016.
Let’s bring bang the biff. And Wayne Bennett.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Anthony Seibold claims Haumole Olakau'atu's dangerous throw of Shaun Lane was a good tackle with an unfortunate ending and is hopeful the Manly star…
There is only one way for Cronulla to shake off their reputation for being flat-track bullies. They are off to an impressive start in…
This can't have been a lot of fun for Brad and Gutho!
"You're five metres from your line - you can't be looking at the referee!"
Maika Sivo scored a hat-trick in his return to first-grade footy but a brain fade in the second half saw the Eels winger sent…
Gus Gould went from analysing Daly Cherry-Evans' fantastic pass to roasting Johnathan Thurston in a heartbeat, leaving his Nine colleagues in hysterics.
