It was the moment Origin fans, both blue and maroon, had been waiting for and it drew by far the loudest cheer (jeer?) of the night. When Jonathon Thurston successfully stripped NSW fullback Kurt Gidley of possession in the 67th minute to put Sam Thaiday across the try line, a great deal was realised.
For the Maroons, it sealed victory in what had been talked up as a titanic clash and it rubber stamped Thurston’s origin immortality.
For many NSW fans, it was just what they had been waiting for – the token Kurt Gidley Origin stuff-up.
Seldom has such venom been aimed at a single rugby league player, let alone a state’s captain, as the barbs that have been direct at Gidley this past week. From Cooma to Coolangatta, a flurry of angry blogs and Facebook pages arrived taking aim Gidley’s naming in the team for Origin 1, with many still unable to forget (or forgive) his blooper-laden efforts in the 09 series.
It is difficult to imagine the resentment shown towards Gidley having existed for any previous NSW captain, which is quite a feat considering they were captained for a period by the thoroughly unlikeable Benny Elias.
The ill-feeling post game 1 has since begun to make its way in the mainstream media, with all but Gidley’s closest allies calling for his position to go to Jarryd Hayne – extraordinary in itself considering Hayne is no Justin Bieber in the popularity stakes.
In short, Gidley is currently the most unpopular Hunter footballing export since the Mariners of ’97. And one must remember the Mariners top crowd during their feeble existence was 7,719.
Much of the animosity shown towards Gidley by NSW fans stems from the perceived notion that he has been gifted not only a position, but the captaincy, for a job which he does not have the attributes. He is hailed as a ‘natural leader’ and therefore captain-but fans are liable to ask, “What in fact has he led his NRL team the Newcastle Knights to?”
Over the last two seasons the Knights’ victories have been sporadic, and their displays consistently inconsistent. Is this the great leader the media constantly refers to?
In his recent biography ‘The Two of Me’ Gidley’s good friend Andrew Johns relates a story of how Gidley had Johns and friends thrown out of a Byron Bay backpacker hostel because his loud snoring drew complaints from other guests.
One can’t but help and wonder if this is in fact the only reason Gidley has been handed the NSW captaincy, so as to save a team mate from a sleepless night.
This connection with Johns is further troubling given Johns’ position in both the media and on the NSW coaching staff. Johns is constantly glowing in his praise of Gidley, going to great lengths to point out his toughness and versatility.
Whilst even the creator of the “Get rid of Gidley’ Facebook page would agree with Johns’ sentiments to some degree, there still sits an uncomfortable conflict of interest with the NSW assistant coach’s continual public praising of an admitted close friend.
It was this inability to separate personal friendship and balanced public opinion that saw once fan favourite (and another Newcastle great) Paul Harragon hounded off the Channel 9 commentary team, with fans growing increasingly fed up with his red and blue vision of the footballing world.
Gidley also failed to win over sceptical NSW fans with his comments in the media last week relating to the fiery third game of the 2009 origin series (the one not remembered for Gidley’s bungles).
When questioned about Cameron Smith’s now infamous ‘up and under for an all in’ Gidley alluded to the skill and personal risk he took by catching the kick.
Whilst no one doubts QLD had at the time taken partial leave of their senses, it is still difficult to imagine great footballing fullback’s from the past – Jack, Dorahy, Chruchill – making note of the fact that they had caught a bomb.
Having failed to cover defend against QLD’s rampant outside backs or position himself adequately in the earlier two games of the series, surely this was the least that was expected of Gidley?
In Hayne, NSW has a Ferarri waiting in the wings, whilst Gidley’s Holden utility is constantly getting dragged off at the lights.
And here in lies the issue. What is expected from players in Origin series far, far outweighs what is expected of mere mortal NRL players.
Gidley has proven himself to be a versatile club player who consistently performs to a high level in the NRL. Many comparisons can be drawn between himself and the Dragons’ Ben Hornby; both are players who are pivotal to their club side’s success and have mastered a number of positions through shear tenacity.
But, just as Hornby became first a representitive utility and then club cornerstone, so too should Gidley make way. Because if he can do anything less than cover-defend a Greg Inglis breakaway and holdup Dave Taylor over the line, then he should not be the man at the back for NSW.
And if NSW selectors aren’t game enough to tell him this, then just like at Byron Bay Backpackers, there are plenty of others out there who are willing to.
Kiara
Guest
Mr. Grey I dont really care about origin now! I have football fever! Origins lost my interest. GO AUSTRALIA!!!
Mr. Grey
Guest
The captain may have tackled around the legs but the rest of the team certainly were not and it is the captain and the coach that should have been making sure the were. Kiara if you were on the the team I'm sure things would have been different. (;-)
Kiara
Guest
Mr Grey. yeh yeh, blame the captain! He was the ONLY one tackling around the legs.
Mr. Grey
Guest
The coach and the captain are both to blame for this massive loss. One of the reasons the Blues lost by such a margin was because the Blues couldn't stop the Maroons and the Maroon's could stop the blues. That's the difference between tackling around the legs and not around the head makes. The Maroons were consistently tackling around the legs and the old saying of a man can't run without his legs proved to be all too true. The only thing is it seems both the coach and the captain of the Blues had forgotten that. This is a simple but serious mistake.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
What, lets look at this (all you NSW supporters keep saying "we only lost by 4 points") Gidley gave us - handed the ball to Thurston - the ball and an automatic 6 points, in club level you would get dropped for that. Kimmorley is only there because you guys have no one else ATM, I don't think he should be there, you have so many young guys that aren't as good as Thurston or Lockyer but are better than Noddy and Lyon. So I agree Kiara, but Gidley is shocking, and STOP CHOOSING PLAYERS AND PUTTING THEM OUT OF POSITION, when the hell do you put a chef in the waiting role and put the waiter in the kitchen, you don't so don't do it when there are over 3 million people watching.
Mat
Guest
You all criticise Gidley far too much. You look at his mistakes in origin. But you never look at the positives, just trying to get an interesting story. Gidley in all 3 games last year, was a work horse. He did so much just like in game 2 last year, Gidley went from doing alot at fullback into hooker, in the defencive line forcing errors and being a mennace around the ruck for the rest of the night. And making plenty of try-saving tackles. But it was never noticed or appreciated by anyone. Fair enough he's made mistakes, but it didn't cost NSW the game(s)! But it doesn't all of a sudden mean he's a bad player either and should be stripped from his captaincy. That's the main reason NSW have lost the last few years due to them making changes and getting rid of players if they don't have a sensational game, I mean it's an absolute joke. I've heard that Kimmorley is getting cut from the side ? Like what for ? I thought he was NSW best that night, he did the job that was needed to be done. And now they look to cut him. It's a disgrace.
Kiara
Guest
Corey u have no idea wat ur talking about! Its not as tho Qld played absolutely GREAT! I cant believe u reckon Gidley is the worst! Ive said this SOOOOO many times....WAT THE F ABOUT KIMMORLEY!!!!! Im sorry but GIdley was one of the BEST on the nite!!! Hayne will do crap at fullback and NSW will regret it!
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
I think the truth is that NSW lost because of the whole team, and I mean the WHOLE team - right through to the selectors (e.g. choosing players out of position). But Gidley is the worst choice in the NSW team, and you guys put him captain. People say "oh, there were only 4 points in at the end." But the truth is that is because QLD had already won it (which there are some people angry about that up here as well, QLDers never give up!). That game wasn't Origin, wasn't even close. It wasn't that fast, it wasn't that brutal. When it becomes brutal that is when you need Hindmarsh, Bird and (dare I say it) Gallen. Look at the bright side, we lose Folau and get Tuqiri.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
True, but I think Hindmarsh should always have been in the Origin team and should be made captain. I'm a QLDer and I would hate for NSW to choose Hindmarsh, simply because I think he would inspire the team beyond all belief and I honestly believe NSW would have a chance. But until then I will keep putting money on QLD, and I am not a betting man.
josh
Guest
When I see Gidley run out for NSW, I can't help but recall that Tina Turna track from Mad Max 3. You know the one?
Kiara
Guest
Yea we are writing in English! U must be the one with the problem...
sledgeross
Guest
I dont even know what half the people here are saying, can we please use ENGLISH. Whatever point you are trying to make is lost and just makes you look ignorant and incredulous.....
Aubrey
Guest
Gidley's captaincy to be taken off? Hell no. 1) its the whole teams fault. from the coach to the guy who irons the shirts. 2) Jamie Lyon's playmaking skills were shot that nite, leaving all attacking capacity to QLD, which means FB gidley has to run around for defence the entire nite. - the only time NSW were in contention is when Gidley switched from FB to 5/8. 3) NSW Forwards were undone, they seem that they didnt trained at all. 4) Lyon's defence, QLD kept on attacking his side of the defence, Lyon moves for a tackle, ineffective, leaving Tahu to fill the void, making Hayne switch to centre spot, leaving the wing Boyd wide open. To win the next game is to get lyon off the playmakers, put Gidley to 5/8
scott
Guest
id LOVE TO SEE U WANNA be players actuLLY play instead of bgging gids out gids was best plaer on park and every1 raves on about hayne wat did he do in origen missed plenty of tackles no attacking and then in the st george game did nuthin at his i have to play fullback options leave the team as it is bring barret into the team will be good to go
Kiara
Guest
Gidley shouldnt be dropped, but he should be on the bench. He was close to our best player in game 1, and did look dangerous when he moved closer to the action. He can play a few positions, but none of them good enough to be considered the best in NSW. -------------------------------- Hey Einstein! When was Kimmorley considered to be NSWz best! The bluddy toad thinks hez the best in the world! And even all the proz like him! He brings ABSOLUTELY nuthing to the game! I dont know why ppl suck up 2 him!
sledgeross
Guest
dats rite. sum ppl r so stpd
Kiara
Guest
Michael LOL! at the ending!! GREAT Comment! Sum ppl dont know wat they're talking bout!
sledgeross
Guest
Thats right Penfold, have a look at the blokes we dont have in the scrum. Ryan, hindmarsh, gallen etc
BennO
Guest
good call.
Penfold
Guest
I'd bring in Andrew Ryan. He't not going to let you down and can lead a team around. It's the sort of decision that QLD would go with. Tried, tested and not the flavor of the month.