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State of Origin is almost upon us and every rugby league fan understands the passion and aggression it brings up between the players and supporters.
Since 1980, there has been some unforgettable moments, a multitude of controversy and spectacular brawls, all of which has caused Origin to be one of the most popular sporting events in the country.
The players and the fans love to hate each other during this time of the year, and the hype and mentality surrounding New South Wales versus Queensland has led to some unforgettable brawls.
The ‘one punch and you’re off’ rule that was implemented after Origin 1 last year may cause a stop to these fights, which in hindsight is a probably good thing. However, there is nothing a State of Origin fan loves more than seeing two teams go at it in the middle of the game.
With Game 1 just around the corner, and the NSW team causing high amounts of debate and controversy in some people’s eyes, I think we should take a different angle for a couple of minutes.
Let’s reflect on the best good old-fashioned brawls that State of Origin fans have witnessed over the years.
This is my top five in order:
5. Game 3, 2009 – Steve Price versus Brett White
This match was a dead rubber, but clearly nobody told that to the players. As viewers thought Jarryd Hayne crossed in the corner, Steve Price and Brett White went at it.
White played the ball and then threw a punch at Price, who was standing at marker. From then, it was toe-to-toe. The two traded blow after blow until Trent Waterhouse ran in and tackled Price around the head.
Price was stretchered off and Waterhouse was sent off for being the third man in, and Queensland got the penalty. Under the orders of Darren Lockyer, Queensland kicked for touch, Cameron Smith immediately put a bomb up for Kurt Gidley, and the Queenslanders bombarded him, and it was on again.
This led to Ben Creagh and Sam Thaiday being sent to the sin bin, but this was definitely a brawl to remember.
4. Game 2, 1991 – Mark Geyer versus Wally Lewis
I was debating with myself whether to name this Mark Geyer versus Wally Lewis, or Mark Geyer versus Queensland. As the half time siren went, Geyer went in with deliberate elbow on Steve Walters, which the Queenslanders did not take a liking to. Six or seven of them came running in. The NSW players followed, and it was on.
After the fight, the ref called over Wally Lewis, Ben Elias and Mark Geyer, and what followed is the most famous Origin imagine in history. Lewis and Geyer toe-to-toe, screaming in each other’s faces.
3. Game 2, 1984 – All-in
In the opening minutes of this match came one of the craziest brawls in Origin history. Gene Miles has the ball looking to kick and the NSW defence are up quickly and aggressively on him. A NSW defender cops a stray boot while making the tackle, and before you know it, it was everybody in.
Half of the players are having one-on-one wrestling matches with each other scattered over the ground, with punches being traded left, right and centre. Chris Close loses his jersey in the process and you can hear the fireworks going off in the background. But the real fireworks were going off on the field, with one of the most explosive brawls in Origin history.
2. Game 3, 1997 – Cattledog
Only Tommy Raudonikis could be responsible for the famous cattledog call. As he would bluntly describe, “it’s when we’d put a stink on when we’re in trouble”. The NSW team would go to the scrum and yell ‘cattledog’, and a fight would erupt.
Sure enough, in Game 3 of the 1997 series, Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll called cattledog in the scrum, and it was on. Possibly the most famous part of the fight is Jamie Goddard landing about six punches straight into Andrew Johns’ face. The ref broke them up, and Johns sidestepped the ref to try and get some payback, which led to Goddard punching Johns some more, who was eventually on the ground with blood pouring out of his mouth. Cattledog – definitely one of the most famous calls in rugby league.
1. Game 2, 1995 – All-in
What took place in the third minute of this game was in my opinion the greatest Origin fight in history. The scrum was packed, and after a little debate between the two hookers, literally everyone was fighting everyone.
Channel Nine commentator Ray Warren said, “they’ve come from everywhere like it was almost a rehearsal”. Brawls broke out everywhere along the sideline and the cameraman was struggling to keep up.
No words can do this brawl justice, you have to watch it for yourself. What put this above the rest is the number of individual fights that were all happening at the same time. It’s safe to say that if this sort of fight happens in 2014, there would be more players in the sin bin than on the field.
So Roarers, what is your favourite Origin brawl?
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