It is symbolic that today on the precipice of the Blues’ first series victory that the back page of the Daily Telegraph has a picture of NSW’s greatest origin legend… Wally Lewis? After more than 90 matches in the series the most defining image for New South Wales pride is the bronze statue of the first State of Origin Immortal.
The Blues faithful keep talking down the difference in passion for the Origin series, yet every display of their pride comes in the form of either duplicating a Queensland tradition or dismissing it.
The thing is, try as hard as they might, they just can’t grasp the concept as they gear up for this decider.
If you think Origin is only about the result, then you already have missed the point that separates us.
The guy who has lived his life on top just can’t understand both the plight and motivation of the little guy that has been struggling for the rewards and recognition.
There is a chip on the shoulder that can only be manufactured through generations of perceived slights and mistreatment.
As a Queenslander living in the old steak and kidney I can understand the origins of their apathy. Sydney offers everything a city could hope to from beaches on the door step, a thriving pub, bar and restraint scene that caters for all and sundry capped off with one of the world’s greatest city centre pieces, the crystalline Sydney harbour.
Perhaps the most understated feature is that you’ll find surprisingly few born and bred Sydney-siders living close to the CBD, thereby muting its one real failing of Australia’s largest city.
It was beautiful to watch the mentality of the New South Wales rugby league public over the past half decade. When the chips were down the knives came out.
You didn’t understand that the struggle is part of it. Queensland have long been on the on the light side of the talent see-saw but reacted to every loss with a varying mixture of immediate despair and anger that was soon replaced by resolution and optimism for the future.
We always believe our guys will get better just because they keep wearing a shade of purple.
New South Wales reacted with indignation and disdain. At first it was the “good to see it competitive again” and then came intolerance from a State used to being the centre of attention. New South Wales didn’t like a disruption in the natural order of things.
Now with this team tonight, you may win or you may lose. The only certainty about the outcome for tonight is that Queenslanders will care more about it.
And you can’t just change that mindset.
Sure you can take a take a picture of it with a blue light filter and try to imitate it, but at the end of the day it’s just that: a pale blue imitation.
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