I feel ashamed to say it: this is the losing streak NSW had to have.
Not for Paul Gallen, Jarryd Hayne and others who have been straining, bleeding and fighting to hold aloft that interstate shield again for the first time since Danny Buderus in 2005.
I’m talking about us. The people of NSW.
Not long before this Queensland winning streak began, the Blues had a home game where they were chasing a rare series cleansweep.
There were 30,000 empty seats staring back at our boys as they took the field.
Let’s be honest, we grew complacent and didn’t know what we had. Instead of celebrating past Origin triumphs, we kept the cheering to a minimum because with every Queensland defeat, the whispers would start… “State of Origin’s dying”.
Celebrating, we were made to feel, would be like producing a vuvuzela at a funeral. Wearing a Blues jersey around the office on game day? Forget it. Only for Queenslanders was it socially acceptable to flaunt your colours away from the stadium.
Interest was so mild The Daily Telegraph once tried to whip up anti-Queensland sentiment by urging fans to boo Carl Webb. Come game time, the jeers wouldn’t have worried a ballboy.
Our head office was busy hanging up framed photos of Gus Gould and Freddie Fittler when Greg Inglis opted for Mal over Macksville.
But we’re awake to it now. Tell King Wally we finally get it.
Don’t get me wrong – I’d rather crawl over shards of busted XXXX bottles than watch Queensland win. But there is a silver lining to this murky maroon cloud.
Sick of smug jabs from banana-benders who now reside in this magnificent State? Tired of Thurston’s chuckle and Meninga’s grin? We’re ready for payback.
Tonight, from Tweed Heads to Talbingo, they’ll be screaming for their beloved Blues to smash the Maroons. New television ratings records will be set and ANZ Stadium will bulge with 83 thousand people, almost all dressed in blue jerseys and silly blue wigs.
And to think, they’re cheering a team that holds the record for the longest losing run in State of Origin.
Over the past four years – with the Maroons’ winning streak growing to embarrassing proportions – Origin crowds at ANZ Stadium have increased by 14 per cent.
The average attendance is 82,317, and that figure could be topped in Game 2.
And let’s not forget TV ratings.
Figures in Sydney for Origin 1 at Suncorp Stadium, with most predicting another Queensland triumph, were the highest ever recorded at 1.228 million, up by six per cent on 2013.
Interest is so high the NSWRL is set to introduce a Blues Membership package from next season.
Usually with sport in Sydney, if your team’s losing, you find something else to do until they start winning again.
But the Blues have bucked the trend.
“As a State, we got used to winning and didn’t care enough,” reasoned former NSW winger Adam MacDougall.
“But now our fans are sick of being downtrodden. They’re angry.:
Essentially we are imitating the Queensland public from the early 1980s, apart from the mullets and stubbies.
After years of beatings by NSW in the old interstate series they rallied behind the Maroons and passion became hatred as they chased redemption. The Blues couldn’t take a bus trip down Caxton Street without the locals trying to tip it over.
It’s the same feeling now but in reverse. Who didn’t thump their chest Hayne-style when an injured Brett Morris denied Darius Boyd?
No longer are we just fans. We’re damn proud to be Blue.
I just wish it hadn’t taken eight years.
Adam Hawse is a sports journalist and presenter for Network Ten. Follow him on Twitter @AdamHawse
JaviCab
Guest
The difference is that Qld have humility and respect. In Queensland we see a very NSW centric version of the National Rugby League via the media. It seems that NSW think that Sydney is the homeland of rugby league. In Queensland we see that NSW and Qld are equal as the 2 rugby league states. That's why Qld will keep fighting, while NSW keep on acting like they are the centre of the Rugby league universe .
Knightblues
Guest
about 50 years straight when it was just one game a year, before origin began.
Knightblues
Guest
So its ok for qlders to feel superior but not us blue bloods? Its that kind of dimwitted arrogance that got you the new title of two heads.
Knightblues
Guest
read the article dimwit
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
I agree fully with this statement....although I moved to Australia in 2007...I am a fully passionate NSW supporter from the very first time I watched origin in game 1 of 2008 (sadly I didn't know about origin in 2007 as would have definitely watched it)
Casey
Guest
Ok I don't know what is the NSW winning streak befor QLDS 8 in a row? Have NSW bettin that? Please any answers
JaviCab
Guest
This is the typical NSW comment putting down Qld, even putting down Wally Lewis, one of the immortals. This feeling if superiority by NSW is why there will always be passion and desire for victory by Qld.
VB
Guest
Victoria Bitter! Just for once I am barracking for Victoria. I feel so sorry for them. They haven't won a SOO series yet.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Great article Adam. Everybody knows NSW has way more passion and heart than QLD ever could.
Unbiased
Guest
Gotta love all this NSW excitement at winning 1 game in a row, well done boys, take a bow. Last time I checked it was a best of 3 series. Maybe Queensland has realised that without a NSW series win sometime soon (not necessarily this series) will indeed be the end of SOO. NSW cannot replicate the passion of QLD supporters, no matter how much they try to manufacture it along with their blue wigs. Go Queenslander, 10+ point margin tonight
TheTruth
Guest
Great article! As someone brought up near the border, my passion never waned as there was also a strong contingent of QLD fans around my area. But now it is at fever pitch, bring on the canetoads. CA'RN the BLUES
hammer
Guest
Jaybob, ditto. And if Qld public gave up in 90's when times were tough and SOO was supposedly dead, that's not QLD pride, that's the victim card they play every chance they get. They have pride when they win, else it isn't seen. GO BLUES, tonight, then a series sweep, and then 9 series tostraight to re-establish dominance :) - but never complacent again !
Santos
Guest
Yes - State of Origin was born out of an attempt to create a level playing field and a closer competition between NSW and Qld. The QRL competition has always been equivalent to the NSWRL reserve grade competition, so to create a more even contest Queensland needed to select players from the NSWRL (now NRL) premier competition. What makes Queensland's dominance in the 1980's quite remarkable is that they still selected alot of players who were technically playing "reserve grade" every week, eg Wally Lewis and Gene Miles. Although, there have been plenty of other instances where reserve grade players and even CRL players have been selected to represent Aus, NZ, NSW, Qld, eg, Mick Cronin, Olsen Filipaina, Brett Dallas, Willie Talau, Darren Smith. Wally Lewis was the difference in the 1980's - without Lewis, NSW would have dominated the 80's. But, I wonder whether Lewis could have gone 10 years injury-free (a pre-requisite for dominance) if he played in the NSWRL Premier Competition and had to line-up against his NSW rivals every weekend. His form at the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast wouldn't warrant selection in any rep team - from 1988 to 1991 he was selected on reputation rather than Club performance.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I take it then that Queensland needed to lose all those series between 1961 and 1982. Makes sense.
JayBob
Guest
I hate to admit this but when I was younger NSW used to win all the time and I sort of went for QLD a little, just so it would be a close game or an even series. Now days we could win by 1000 points and it would not get boring for me. Losing has definitely brought the passion out in myself, and all of NSW judging by the increase in crowds and TV ratings since the QLD domination begun. It's funny Amanda said it had the opposite effect in QLD, that is really strange.
Chop
Roar Guru
I know plenty of Parra fans who'd disagree with you....me included.... Good game on Sunday though....
Mac
Guest
I think the first four or five series defeats in a row were adequate. Eight is just getting embarrassing and it has to end now...
Amanda
Guest
I have always been a passionate Blues supporter and it used to drive me insane how much more pride the QLD supporters had (I have lived there for a long time now). But now the tables have turned and I have other Blues supporters walking up to me on the streets of Brisbane giving me a high five for wearing my jersey on origin day. You wouldn't have seen that here 9 years ago. I can't wait to hand the QLDers a few series losses in a row and hear the all too familiar whinging and complaining :D its like music to my ears.. We got complacent and didn't seem to care about the 3 series wins and being red hot favs for a 4th. All I remember from QLD supporters was origin is dead, we don't care about it anyway its unfair blah blah blah. I love the fact that it has had the total opposite affect on us! Lets hope the boys can handle the pressure tonight and have a convincing win that leaves QLD with no excuses (I'm sure they will find some! :P)
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Good for nsw? Did you just get released from cumberland
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Bit like the Wooden Spoons that Parra had to have (though I think they should grab some more)