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State of Origin needs to be included in expansion talk AAP Image/Dave Hun
Both New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart and his Queensland counterpart Mal Meninga have talked a lot during this series about what is fair and right. The judiciary and the referees have copped the brunt of the criticism, but one point has been missing from the bickering between the two.
Is it fair that one team gets to host two matches?
Surely, having two home fixtures out of three matches is a bigger advantage than any decision the match review committee, judiciary or a referee can muster.
Before you write this argument off as pointless consider this: The NRL is about to move into its greatest period of change since the Super League war.
Team locations, media rights, player salaries and fixturing are all up for discussion.
If the NRL is considering introducing a stand alone weekend for representative games like State of Origin to make it fairer on the players and the paying public, then why not dish one game out to a neutral city every year?
That way no team has a clear advantage.
The game first experimented with State of Origin when it took an exhibition match to California in 1987.
Melbourne seemed a more logical destination for the showpiece event in 1990 and every third year since 2006 Origin has visited the AFL’s capital.
Next year, Melbourne will also host a game, but why not think bigger than just the eastern seaboard.
The Blues head to Brisbane on Sunday afternoon for the biggest match of the series.
From the moment their feet hit the ground they’ll know they’re in enemy territory.
So what, you may ask?
Well, that would be all fine and good – except for the fact they’ve already had to make the trip north once.
Wouldn’t it be better for the series as a whole if the Blues weren’t already massive underdogs just because the game is at Suncorp Stadium?
Now, this isn’t just an argument from a NSW perspective. It also applies to the Maroons.
In 2013, they’ll have to play two games in Sydney.
An origin rotation policy could be introduced to ensure the teams are on a level playing field all the way through.
We’re not talking about a far-fetched unearthing of the Los Angeles experiment, but instead a chance to give Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne the opportunity to see the highest level of the game live and in person.
A move into those markets would also give the NRL valuable minutes on local television markets and centimeters in print where they would be otherwise ignored.
There would also be the potential to influence new fans and not just former NSW and QLD residents.
That could have a flow-on effect to any potential expansion club when it comes to enticing them back to the footy again.
The Adelaide Oval would look fantastic decked out in blue and maroon while West Australian premier Colin Barnett has just announced that a new 60 to 70-thousand seater stadium in the style of Etihad Stadium will be built on the Burswood Peninsula.
It’s scheduled to be completed in 2018 – just in time to host a State of Origin match.
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