Last Wednesday night at approximately 10:15pm, one of the great droughts in Australian sporting history was broken when New South Wales ended eight years of State of Origin misery, defeating Queensland 6-4.
With this series win, their first since 2005, talks are now underway to erect a statue of a victorious Paul Gallen at Homebush.
I can understand the emotion surrounding the idea, given he has busted his gut since debuting in 2006. He has been an inspiration for his state in many series defeats, but a statue? Really?
Let’s go through the facts.
This man has played in nine State of Origin series, losing eight and winning one. He will play in perhaps another one before hanging up the boots. One series win out of nine (so far).
Remember that this man is the captain of a club under investigation by ASADA for allegedly using banned substances. Can you imagine the laughter from across the world if this statue was erected and he was later found, along with the rest of the club, to be found guilty?
He would be, under the eyes of the law, a drug cheat.
Also, it was only just one series win. I very much doubt there is enough material to erect statues of all the players who were apart of the eight straight series wins for the Maroons.
Let’s compare the feats of Gallen to that of the three men who have statues outside Suncorp Stadium: Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Mal Meninga.
They don’t call Wally ‘The King’ for nothing. From 1980-1991, Lewis was the main man behind eight series wins for Queensland, winning eight man-of-the-match awards from 30 appearances. He was, and will be, the greatest player to ever pull on an origin jersey.
Lockyer was one of the best players of the modern era, dominating as a fullback in the early part of his career before switching to five-eighth. He won 10 Origin series, captaining his side in six of those. He is a future immortal of the game.
As for Meninga, his deeds have largely been highlighted by steering this current squad to eight straight series wins, one of the great feats in Australian sporting history and a record that will never be broken. As a player he won eight series.
I am not underestimating the magnitude of the win by the Blues on Wednesday night, and Gallen in particular, but there are plenty of statues that could, and should, be erected before Gallen.
Some examples are John Aloisi scoring that penalty against Uruguay in 2005, Scott Sattler and that tackle on Todd Byrne in the 2003 NRL grand final and in the same year, Jonny Wilkinson and that field goal against the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup.
Campbell Watts
Guest
Couldn't agree more!!
Kris
Guest
Real Mature.
Scrubbit
Guest
Ahh yes forgot about that. Slightly before my time though since I was only 6.
Hayley Maher
Roar Pro
I can't believe someone has even suggested this. I totally agree with you Adam. The guy captains a team to one successful origin campaign and he's suddenly a hero. What about all the years he didn't succeed? The whole senior playing group have been through just as much, he's not a hero. There are other players who would deserve one more than him!
Tricky Ricky
Guest
Should they erect a statue of Gallen I will never watchh another game of rugby league. Enough said.
Tricky Ricky
Guest
Should they erect a statue of Gallen I will never watch another game of rugby league. Enough said.
jimmy
Guest
MY friend you are mentioning all the backliners from maroons who have enjoyed moving at the back when the forwards did all the hard work and you seriously need to look at Gal. He is a workaholic and warhorse for the Blues. He inspire is team mate who are play against the best team the world as ever had and he has taken it to them and finally defeated them and got the shield to NSW so what more can you ask for. He deserves it and put it up and will remind younger generation of what he does and what he was when he get pushed the Queensland forward to the limited with his inspiration runs that makes his team mate standing up to the greatest team in the world. Blues need that now.
Sunshine
Guest
I sure am glad Wally Lewis never spat on anyone
V.O.R.
Guest
ha, ha... too good!
Sean
Guest
Surely if we want a statue to highlight this iconic moment, we need to pick an equally iconic moment from the match. I nominate Wood's "Chest of Westie". Imagine the ripple of his jersey frozen in bronze for all to see with Aaron's immortal words etched in a plaque beneath. "I didn't touch it, mate. It went dead and the rest is history..."
eagleJack
Guest
To be fair the artist was under the impression the statue was for Bevan to celebrate his release.
eagleJack
Guest
Bledisloe 2000 in front of a world record 110,000 crowd in arguably the best game of rugby of all time. That's my personal favourite memory of Homebush. Also Kefu's last second try in John Eales' final test against the AB's. Beating the British and Irish Lions in 2001. Aloisi's goal was also sensational. But for RL it really is slim pickings. Although Manly's victories in 2008 and 2011 weren't too shabby ;)
Wobbly
Guest
How about a montage statue of Julian O'Neill, John Hopeate, Mark Gasnier, Ryan Tandy and the Johns brothers. It'd top anything north of the border, even when they get around to immortalizing Martin 'Squirrel Grip' Bella, Dishhead Dowling and, Gene Miles' forearm.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I had heard the same thing about a statue for Gallen. I didn't pay much attention to it as I thought it was just Hype that we won. Gallen is a good, hard forward but he isn't in Lewis' class.
Scrubbit
Guest
Very few moments indeed from ANZ for RL. The most memorable moment I have would be the first interstate GF game sell out, which doesn't even make it in my top 10 for RL moments let alone sporting moments. Aloisis goal I think was the greatest moment for Australia (sorry Cathy but you were running in a weak group so you come in at No2). With Wlikinsons efforts for England the greatest moment at ANZ.
Parrafan
Guest
Well his boss is home town Tony Archer.
Scrubbit
Guest
It seems that he is such a bad ref that every game he switches his allegiance to te home team.
Adam
Guest
I don't think there has been a significant moment at Homebush from the Blues, apart from the odd win here and there. The only one I can think of is Fletch doing the Grenade in 2000, but that was more comical than iconic. In terms of the museum, I'd have Aloisi and the penalty, Cathy winning in 2000 and the drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson in the World Cup. Take away national pride, and that three pointer is one of the most memorable moments in Rugby history.
V.O.R.
Guest
On reflection a Statue of Gal would be an ironic twist and poetic justice. What an iconic image it would be to see a fallen star have his statue jack hammered from it's foundations...the toppling of the grubby tyrant..the game will finally be liberated from his oppressive whinging and whining....better still, leave it there for passers by to mock and as a fitting reminder for kids how not to behave on a football field. A 'good sport' his epitaph will read not.
scott
Guest
I'd love to see a statue of Gal. They could set it up so that it shouts racial slurs, blames the ref/coach, or complains that Nate Myles pulled its leg last year at the press of a button. Heck, with a firmware update we could probably get it to rip at stitches and dish out plenty of head high tackles too. Bad sports from across the country could make an annual pilgrimage to worship at the bronzed feet of their lord and master.