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The Queensland Maroons have dominated State of Origin for what seems an eternity. Most of the reason for that is having some of the greatest rugby league players we will ever see.
Talent does eventually win out. Queensland have had the unfair advantage of having the best players over the past decade.
That is just how it is and how history will remember this era.
The New South Wales Blues, however, have not done themselves any favours throughout this period.
Whether it be the continuous sacking of players or coaches, the Blues haven’t stood a chance.
But is it purely the selectors fault?
Are the players to blame for not taking their chances when given to them?
The answer as always lies in the fabric of what makes a Queenslander a Queenslander. We as New South Welshmen have never copped the tip when it comes to supporting our Origin side.
When Papua New Guinean-born Adrian Lam was appointed captain of their beloved state, did they not still bleed maroon?
Did they kick up a stink and call for heads to roll when Daniel Wagon was selected as five-eighth in the dark days of the early 2000s?
It’s blasphemy north of the border to ever question the Maroons. At the end of the day they get behind their team and breathe every moment of every game.
They never question the decisions of the hierarchy. Whoever wears that jersey has the respect and support of the entire state.
Do you really believe the Maroons don’t feel their fans when they run onto the field?
The Blues haven’t let the fans down over the past seven years. Sure, there have been poor performances and the media and supporters have every right to feel disappointed about what has happened recently.
But we as a state have still let down our players.
The uproar since Laurie Daley announced that Mitchell Pearce would be the Blues halfback again in 2013 has been laughable to Mal Meninga and his legion of followers.
You can hear them laughing from here.
Daley wrote a column for The Daily Telegraph before the season even started stating Pearce was his preference in the number seven jersey.
“As for Mitchell, I think he is ready to take the next step in his career and become a real leader,” Daley wrote.
“Which is also part of the job description if you want to be the playmaker of an Origin team. You don’t want to always try to be the star, but you do have to want to take control of any situation.”
Where is the problem in giving Pearce the confidence he needs to finally get the Blues over the line?
“Last year, for whatever reason, Mitchell just didn’t seem to be the same player I had seen over previous seasons and I think his form reflected that” Daley added.
Remember that against all odds Pearce helped get New South Wales to within one point of conquering the Maroons in 2012. Why aren’t we supporting whomever Daley picks?
Despite Adam Reynolds and his excellent form for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Pearce is our best option. He has already played nine Origin games and he is still only 24. This isn’t a reason to drop him, it’s a reason to play him.
But you have to wonder in those nine matches how much love Pearce has felt from his own state.
Whomever they pick for game one at ANZ Stadium doesn’t really matter.
It is the support the players get that makes all the difference.
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