Last weekend’s All Stars showpiece gifted us some great footy with a high scoring game played at blistering pace facilitated by two talented teams, including a few interesting rule changes.
The brainchild of Preston Campbell was acting as a curtain raiser for a third successive season and based on the reaction of the crowd, the players and those of us that were parked on bar stools, it appears it is now very much a part of the footy landscape.
To the surprise of many who figured the Indigenous side had a lot more to play for, the victory for the NRL All Stars has meant they have now taken a 2-1 lead in the head to head ledger, in what many now believe could the early stages of an intense rivalry.
But it is this very rivalry that bothers me.
We live in a society that is built around cultural divides and this game is only enhancing that. Ethnicity is the steering wheel to our daily lives often driving what we eat, where we live, our religion, who we associate with and even what sports we follow.
Sure, there are no steadfast rules and the attempt at multiculturalism in Australia has allowed a large amount of flexibility in these areas, but our sense of who we are is often derived from our family which in turn is derived from a cultural background, however exotic it may be.
As it stands, this match-up is a very friendly one, but all it will take is a few lop sided results or a period of dominance for it to start unintentionally providing fodder for anyone who wants to argue sporting prowess along racial lines.
One would hope that the majority of non-Indigenous fans are sensitive enough to the plight of the Aboriginal community to be actively cheering against them and generally view the game from neutral perspective.
But whilst there is sure to be no shortage of guilt ridden lefties cheering on the Indigenous team, it is no way stretching reality to suggest there are there are also those who are actively supporting the NRL All Stars through their voting, with their hard earned and vocally every time Hindmarsh goes in hard at a fast moving Thaiday.
Just how this is helping to heal these intercultural problems brought about by decades of abuse through predominantly white governments, I don’t know. This game is built around the ‘us against them’ mentality and whilst it is all handshakes and smiles for now, I can only see the all-star pot eventually boiling over.
One need only look at the rivalry in State of Origin that has developed over time and now flourishes into what almost all rugby league supporters feel is the peak of the game. Whilst there is no violence between the two states, the undercurrent of dislike is palpable at that time of year. Cheeky jokes and ribbing of co-workers or interstate family members is only a flakey exterior to something slightly more sinister that lies beneath.
The players can barely go one match without resorting to the biff and the rivalry is such that this testosterone fuelled angst is slowly distilled into society’s state divisions.
If a rivalry of similar proportions develops in the All-Star game, then Rugby League will surely be swimming in the murky waters of the Billabong.
Maybe I’ve got this all wrong, and all everybody wants to just see is a great game of league and celebrate some fantastic Indigenous role models in Australian sport. Much like the NBA All Star game, the result is negligible and folks just the chance to witness many stars of the game playing on the same team. If this is forever to remain the case then let the good time roll.
But I have some severe doubts that as the intensity builds, the status quo will remain.
For those of you that cannot foresee any problems with this match up, think about this. If someone suggested an ‘Anglos’ vs ‘the rest’ style of game it would quickly be suggested that they probably know how to fashion a bed sheet into a pointy hood in under 30 second flat.
The pride of the Indigenous players getting out in the communities and pulling on their jerseys for the game are clear for all to see and I am in no way advocating the removal of this important element to the Indigenous community. But surely some more appropriate competition can be found that doesn’t divide Aussie against Aussie using racial stratifications.
Can they not play against New Zealand, an British ex-pat side or even a Maori side similar to the NZ Maori Union Team that has been in existence for many years?
Interracial tensions are already in the media’s gaze following the so-called ‘attack’ on the security of the Prime Minister which turned out to be little more than the kind of banging on glass that you see when people are unsure if a restaurant is open.
This Invasion Day fiasco was orchestrated by someone close to the PM and with the whole incident being played out in front of a large section of national media, Julia and her dropped slipper became the most talked about foot ware since Cinderella made a hasty exit from the ball.
This whole event was a prime example of how the race card can be played in such a way that it creates something that isn’t really there.
I know that was clearly not the intention of Preston Campbell when he pushed for this game but unfortunately it has the potential to drive a damaging wedge between the Aboriginal community and society at large.
mushi
Guest
You are confusing negative and positive discrimination. What was fought for was the abolishing negative discrimination which attempted to demean and exclude. This an event that positively discriminates. It aims to promote the role of these players and their community in general in a sport that we all care about. In one we looked to subjugate an “inferior” ethnic group in the other we look to celebrate and encourage a group that is unfortunately over represented in every negative socio-economic indicator.
Tom Bridge
Roar Pro
To me, anything that displays the talents of indigenous Australians can only be of benefit to bridging the racial divide. Second, the game would undoubtedly provide many indigenous kids with inspiration, giving them the feeling that they can achieve anything in life. I would love to see the game continue and for it to be hosted near major indigenous communities.
League_Coach101
Guest
I understand your point Purple - and appreciate your careful use of language to avoid seeming racist :) I think possibly player behaviour could be an issue but then couldn't participation in this game (essentially the pinnacle of Indigenous Rugby League) being held as a carrot for players to toe the line? Can you imagine an Indigenous Rugby League commission whose responsibility it is to ensure that Indigenous players recieve the guidance and training they need to become proper role models? I coach a lot of Indigenous kids and one of the things I make very clear is that i won't tolerate any kind of crap like that on the field. The kids know that. They know they won't play if they muck around. So if it can work in a high school setting surely it can work on a larger stage?
turbodewd
Guest
As long as the game is well attended and rates on TV then keep it. If crowds ever start to dip badly then make the event happen only ever 2 years.
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
Sure, as it stands all is (David) Peachy. But when the state of origin started people thought it was a complete waste of time & a nothing match, just an exhibition style that the players didn't care about. Look at the heat that developed in that type of footy. Now i'm not saying nobody care's about the allstar clash. It has way more merit than the beginnings of origin did. But if this rivalry morphs into something more heated, then it could spell trouble off the pitch. Now these boys are footballers. They are playing a highly aggressive sport and, to put it lightly, have a reputation for questionable acts of the pitch. I am not taring them all with the same brush here, but it is just going to take one punch thrown on the pitch or one foul comment & this whole thing could blow up.
League_Coach101
Guest
As I mentioned in the comments section of another article - the All Stars game is a great concept which i can personally attest to, having attended all three games with a group of (mostly) indigenous kids from NSW. The atmosphere at the group is fantastic - not hostile at all, the attitude of everyone on and off the field is great and the feeling of pride that comes off the Indigenous community - regardless of the result is amazing to experience. I think the concept is no more likely to fuel hatred and racism than Australia vs New Zealand test matches. If it exposes an undercurrent of racism in Australian society then maybe that's a good thing too. If this game was moved to the week before the Grand Final then it would lose 90% of the impact - or it would detract from the Grant Final. Either result would be terrible for the game. Let's face facts. Skilled Park close to sold out every year. 1.3 million watching Rugby League in summer. Huge impact in Indigenous communities. Great concept, great timing, let's leave it ALONE.
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
Channel 9 are partly the ones pouring fuel on this rivalry. They fail to mention the broader aspects of what this game is about and instead focus on the 'bit hits'. They think because they have the 'Preston Campbell Player of the Match' award then they have done their duty.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Regardless of which players dropped out,it did not affect the standard of play,and achieved record ratings for the event in its short 3 year history.Apparently 1.3m people considered it worth watching.
B.A Sports
You know what would be nice, If Channel 9 and other media outlets didn't keep reminding us of the series score. That would give it more of a festival feel and less about the competition. But the other side of this, is that maybe for many indigenous people they want a chance to proove themselves against the rest fo the world. When they lost the match, they were the underdog anyway, but when they win the message to young indigenous people is "look, they got the best kiwis, Poms and anglo Aussies they could find and we still beat them"!
Jaceman
Guest
Good article. The AFL all stars vrs Indigenous contest is every 2 years but again you are expecting the top players to play a big game in Febraury after having 2 months break...Again how many top players dropped out...
JohnB
Guest
Heaps of countries aren't ethnically homogenous. Country vs country is clearly different from one ethnic group vs the rest. Yes there are plenty of examples when sport gets political and racial in international contests and it's bloody awful, however international sport can also provide a good example in multicultural countries - look at France's 1998 World Cup team.
Brett McKay
Expert
no harm done AG, I've only just seen this now. Definitely meant the jersies..
AGO74
Guest
On re-reading bretts comment I agree with you. Fail on my part!
db swannie
Guest
Steve ,What is confusing.? It is basically a charity match & a chance for he players to do good in the community The "Normal" of all races playing together happens all season . To all those who look at it from a racist angle,before you judge,how about asking any of the indigenous players ,or Presto ,how they feel..
Gob Bluth
Guest
You must loathe every international contest.
Jimbo Jones
Guest
I think Brett was talking about Black vs White coloured jerseys, hence why he mentioned the Blue strip.
revamped All Stars
Guest
Look just because you do something based on your heritage doesn't mean you're automatically racist. It's just about being proud of where you come from. To be honest we already have representative teams for that in the NRL - State of Origin & Internationals. However I see the value of holding a regular Indigenous match because of the work that gets accomplished in the community. If the opposition were the ISLANDER ALL STARS then we could target two communities in need of assistance. Also if the game were to be moved to the Friday night before the grand final players could from the bottom 8 could have 4 weeks to get out there and get involved and new players would come in as their teams are eliminated. Instead of one week of work you'd get 4. Plus I don't think it would be overshadowed by the grand final, I think it would actually increase discussion about both. The game would stand alone on the Friday and the interest would be double that of the pre-season. It would also help boost both the Australian team & pacific teams for end of season internationals.
Steve
Guest
I've said this before I know but it is one of the most confusing concepts I have come across. For so many years the world fought against the selection of sides based on race. We should be celebrating the fact that it is now 'normal' for people of all backgrounds to play together and represent as one. Yet how do we celebrate this, by creating a contest whereby one side is selected purely on a persons race. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
AGO74
Guest
Disagree with black v white Brett. I don't think you would " technically" call benji Marshall, Michael Jennings, Manu vatuvei, frank Pritchard, Tony Williams etc who were all selected for all stars as " white".
Rellum
Roar Guru
I have had the same concerns and I have pondered this for a while. For me, if the game is played as a celebration of Indigenous players contribution to the game and culture and not as a serious contest then I have no issues with it. That is why it has to stay in its current position in the schedule. As Purple says, If it starts to turn into a state of Origin style rivalry then we should be asking questions.