As a sports fan I have a confession to make. Like the squeaky clean muesli bar spruiking Olympian gobbling down steroids and bedding a string of wanton women out of public view, I have been keeping a dirty secret for many years.
I’m living a lie. For you see despite what I may have preached in the past, I hate State of Origin.
Now hate is a strong word, and I apologise for its usage. But in this context, I believe it is entirely justifiable. Because let’s face it, despite its perceived awesomeness, there are plenty of other reasons to hate Origin besides Greg Bird and Spidercam.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those weirdos you see walking their dog, going to the gym, spending time with loved ones or sitting in restaurants on frigid Wednesday nights in May/June/July.
Nor am I some ironic glasses and cardigan wearing, organic yoghurt munching hipster who pokes his head into your heated pre-match discussion to ask the most rage inducing Origin question imaginable; “So, who’s playing?”
Nope. I have zero desire to end up in some kind of un-Australian re-education camp being forced to watch endless episodes of Home and Away and listening to Peter Fitzsimons’ stand-up comedy CDs.
I’m a bit like Billy Idol y’know, I love my footy. And I can quite happily put up with some of the general annoyances that spring up like Thurston grubber kicks in the Origin period.
Like the inevitable articles from Aussie Rules, rugby union, football, badminton, beersbee and well, every single other sport’s commentators musing loudly “You know, maybe WE should have a State of Origin.”
You know what? YOU SHOULD! But if, like the guys making the third ‘Ghostbusters’ movie, you have no plans of ever doing it, please stop talking about it.
Yeah I realise that’s slightly hypocritical because rugby league did rip the idea off but c’mon, Aussie Rules boasting that they have the original State of Origin is a bit like France bragging about having the original Statue of Liberty.
I’m also at ease ranting along with overnight experts who’ll proclaim loudly to anyone within earshot in the boardroom/taxi/men’s room about how Queensland are certs because that “Dale Shearer bloke always pulls out a big one on Origin night”. And hey, if Ivan from accounts only wants to wear his state’s jerseys the day after the match when they win to give me a hard time, c’est la vie.
The minor game night annoyances I’ve actually come to accept, like that douchebag in the lowered, hotted up ute who does a burnout on the corner outside my house at 6:17am every morning. I realise I won’t be able to order a pizza any less than three days in advance of the match, won’t make it through the hairy moshpit to the bar for my free beer before one of the teams gets awarded a lame ruck penalty in front of the sticks, and I know I’ll get Ben Hannant and Trent Merrin in the first try-scorer sweep.
No, all of these are trivial quibbles compared to what I hate about Origin.
I hate the fact that for only three nights a year we get a game of rugby league where everyone from the referees, to the players, to the TV execs counting their squillions in their ivory hot tubs, pull out all stops to ensure us bozos in the cheap seats see a cracking game of rugby league.
No fancy ego-induced rule interpretations, no milking penalties and half-arsed hit-ups, no standard definition and lack of lead in.
The reason I hate Origin is that for just three nights a year we get to see how great the game can be when it’s approached with respect, common sense and passion before paydays.
And that, in my opinion, is more exasperating than all the Greg Birds and Spidercams in the Southern hemisphere put together.
Blues by two.
Follow Chris on Twitter: @Vic_Arious
haha
Guest
@ Nathan, The swans is a much loved footy team in Sydney. So i have NO idea what you are talking about. Unless melbourne media is talking crap about the swans and giants not fitting in Sydney. The swans actually are very close with the Sydney Roosters, and tbh the swans probably get the biggest crowds of any sporting team in Sydney, every other weekend. For this post, what is your point ? do you hate origin or not. You seemed to be dribbling on about "france", "ghostbusters" etc and made no real point ! I like the idea of State of Origin, BUT it has and always will be turned into a show peice just for QLD. No matter if NSW wins 10 series bak to bak, some how it still will be all about QLD. it's pathetic and very negative for a state to be sprouting hate for their fellow countrymen. SOO should just go the way of the dodo bird, and let QLD find another way to make a name for them selves and stop using NSW.
Kasey
Guest
I'm only 34, so where does that leave your theory. If we grab our old Sport as religion analogy then every religion is an indoctrination. In so far as they don't force someone into their particular sect of Christianity, sure, it's not technically indoctrination. But if you don't think it's just another version of evangelism (however well-intentioned), you're deluding yourself. The old Jesuit saying (paraphrased) "Give me a boy for the first 7 years of his life, and I will give you a man," couldn't be more true. He'd be a perfect Jesuit man, though of course unaware of any dissenting philosophy to those he adhered to.
JVGO
Guest
Apparently the average age of South Australians is 52, while in the rest of the country it is 26. This may explain Kasey's point of view.
Nathan
Guest
As an avid AFL supporter and club member it disappoints me to see the negative attitude displayed towards our native game in NSW. The Melbourne Storm co-exist with 10 AFL clubs down here, and even partner with some such as my beloved Western Bulldogs. Why can't the Swannies and the Giants exist in your territory like the Storm exist in ours? We don't care about taking over, we're just expanding our competition to gain a diverse range of support and offer the great game to more people. There is no need to be so defensive. Thank god the use of the term 'GayFL' is minimized on this site. As for State of Origin, Aussie Rules may have invented the concept but Rugby League has perfected it. The propaganda, the hype and the concept are unlike any other. We could introduce a similar concept with our bitter rivals in a Victoria vs SA match 3 times yearly, but WA and Tassie are also Aussie Rules footy factories and have to be catered for. Go Queensland. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Kris Swales
Expert
Awwww, shucks ceebow - when I think about you, I touch myself as well.
ceebow
Guest
You are one dead set ugly dude and ur comments and blogs almost match your mug. Im tempted to report you on your avatar pic alone. faces like that should stay in QLD.
ceebow
Guest
Better than the boring slow sideline comments made by the early onset dementia sufferer Wally Lewis. He has to be the worst commentator i have ever heard in my life, he makes hadley look like a rock star. atleast Gould can hide his biased opinions while Lewis's biased opinions are as exposed as the top of his scalp.
Tony Archers Maroon Underwear
Guest
Chris you were going great until the last paragraph! Manly V Easts on the weekend was a better game of footy than any of the overrated over hyped SOO meaningless snoozathons that have been played over the last few years. Asides from Glen Munsies pre game address to the nation SOO is as boring and obvious as the big purple calculator hidden behind the printer in the News Ltd Broncos head office. It will hopefully only take a couple more years of the Qld News Ltd salary rorters winning for the concept to finally be put down like the lame duck that it is. Peter Fitzsimmons stand up comedy re-education program thats gold! Even so if I had a choice between PF stand up and SOO, Id be there front and center for the big man, in my cardy with a bowl of muesli to cry into.
xaviercrane
Roar Rookie
The goal for RL administrators should be to make every game as close to SOO as possible. Obviously its not realistic for every club game to match SOO in regards to interest, crowds, intensity etc.....but its what the blueprint should be. Quite simply, there is no sporting contest in Australia like it, and you have to look to some of the big rivalries in European football to get something similar. End point: anyone who (genuinely) doesn't like origin is a bum.
Uncle Phil
Guest
Yes it is a National failing to be representing the 12.2 Mil in NSW/QLD/ACT vs 9.6 Mil in VIC/WA/SA. Confucius say, some tiiiimmme. 1 not equal to 1 my good friend.
Lazy Ted Failyou
Guest
Heard Rabs years ago when RL used to be shown live into Victoria on Sundays bad mouthing Aussie rules calling it a 'rubbish sport.' When I see him at Etihad on Wednesday night I'll bag the blind old fool, not as if he can identify me!
yewonk
Guest
brilliant.
John Seabrook
Guest
Let's not forget, that the SOO concept, like most good ideas, was first used by the then VFL & it's SA & WA counterparts. I may be mistaken about that though. Anyway, it does work best with NSW vs QLD. Two chief combatants every year is the only formula that guarantees SOO success. It's both rugby league's major highlight, and perhaps, ultimately, it's national failing.
Kris Swales
Expert
"...for just three nights a year we get to see how great the game can be when it’s approached with respect, common sense..." And then they book Delta Goodrem to perform beforehand and ruin Christmas.
Lorry
Guest
rugby union state competitions came before either league or aussies rules....
db swannie
Guest
Me too . Roy & HG were just another great addition to the theatre that is SOO. Although you missed alot of their jokes while you were concentrating on the game.
sheek
Guest
Chris, A very clever article with a nice twist at the end. However, might I share two quotes with you. Firstly, the shorter one from the famous Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (one of the good guys): "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane". I should point out the original words were spoken in latin?! Then there's Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, who went on a bit: "Truth always rests with the minority, and the minority is always stronger than the majority, because the minority is generally formed by those who have an opinion, while the strength of the majority is illusory, formed by the gangs who have no opinion, and who therefore, in the next instant (when it i evident the minority is stronger) assume its opinion, while truth again reverts to a new minority". All of which is my way of saying I look forward to State Of Origin every year, while understanding that the whole concept is built on the very shaky premise of David (Qld) continuing to slay Goliath (NSW)..... most of the time.....
mushi
Guest
Same. who the hell were the three morons that showed up!!!
NF
Guest
Well Kasey I have similar experience going to South Australia for a quick visit and I feel exactly the same way you do in regards to AFL instead being a leaguie in North QLD.
warren
Guest
Aussie - as a non follower of the game you simply do not understand that it is more than a game of football. It is a battle between the two states that goes beyond the game itself. The SOO is simply without doubt the ultimate man against man contest in which no other code in any other country can hope to match. You can have all the fancy skills you want RL does not to pretend to be about this and never will. So do not tell us about how good your game or criticise ours because we really do not care.