When I was a kid, many moons ago, NSW was by far the dominant sporting state in Australia. But in more recent times, NSW has fallen from grace big time to be the butt of many jokes from Queensland, and the Vics.
And haven’t those two states enjoyed digging in the knocker’s knife at every opportunity, making NSW the ham in the sporting sandwich.
Not any more – NSW is on the brink of a major rebirth.
Leading the way are the NSW Waratahs, ending a mammoth 19-year drought by capturing their first Super title, and in the process beating the Crusaders, the most successful franchise in Super history with seven titles, and three losing finals.
The salute goes to coach Michael Cheika, who in two seasons turned a rotten NSW culture into a finely tuned and professional outfit where everyone on the roster was playing for the others.
It was fitting fly-half Bernard Foley, this year’s leading Super points-scorer, landed a monster penalty closing in on the hooter to win by a point in a magnificent game of rugby.
Just as exhilarating, NSW ended an eight-year Origin drought, beating mighty Mal Meninga’s Maroons 2-1.
The salute again goes to the coach Laurie Daley in his second year. He too changed a substandard NSW culture into a highly-tuned, professional outfit, superbly led on the field by Paul Gallen, with support right across the park.
The bonus? With only four teams left in the NRL premiership finals being Souths, Penrith, Bulldogs, and the defending champion Roosters, a NSW team must win the 2014 NRL premiership.
The high-flying Sydney Swans are in the AFL decider next Saturday at the MCG, where every Victorian will be supporting Hawthorn to beat those ‘bastards’ from Sydney.
Tough luck Vics, the Swans will make it three of the four football codes in the same year for the first time in history.
The only code missing from the NSW grip are the Western Sydney Wanderers, who were A-League premiers in 2012-13, but runners up in 2013-14.
Coach Tony Popovic has done a phenomenal job with the newest team on the soccer block, especially from a cold start.
NSW fans can count on Popovic regaining their A-League status for a clean sweep of the football codes.
For sporting dominance caviar, NSW are the reigning Sheffield Shield champions, having to lock it away on ‘foreign’ soil at Manuka in Canberra, with their coveted SCG unavailable, hosting the Major League Baseball clashes between the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
To make it even more meaningful, NSW took out the Shield without the services of Test men Michael Clarke, David Warner, and Mitchell Starc.
But coach Trevor Bayliss, and tyro skipper Steve Smith, were the strengths behind the draw that gave NSW the Shield over Western Australia, as NSW finished on top of the ladder in regulation.
NSW is back again as the top sporting state.
NSW fans will be glad they didn’t hold their breath waiting, it’s taken a long time.
Kris
Guest
Yeah but Cowboys got dudded to make way for the 4 sydney teams in the NRL finals. The Cowboys are a better team then Souths and Bulldogs.
Joe O'Keefe
Guest
Well done Waratahs & Blues!! Sydney Swans go well but in a State of Origin Buddy would be playing for WA!!
Tom Daly
Guest
It will be ultra hard to convince NSW is the dominant sporting state. It is a place where Joh Bjelke Petersen is still considered a God with most still thinking the world is flat and drops off into nothingness at the Tweed River.
Jameswm
Guest
Ha ha, fair call. Still - a bit hard when the Tahs are apread across 4 teams, facing a virtual Super level Rising team.
Steele
Guest
Most Vic's I know are going for the Swans, just like they did two years ago. So stop imaginng things Lord. Clearly you have no knowledge on other states cultures. Sth Melbourne heritage and their strong culture has won them many fans. Extra salary cap space has not. And while we are at it most Vic's couldn't give a stuff about any rugby and to be honest I think Nick Kyrgios(Canberra) and Daniel Ricciardo(Western Australia), have been our real shining lights this year.
Bondy
Guest
The Drive By's " Wanderers " could also be Champ's of Asia too. NSW The Premier State of Sports ...
Hawkar
Guest
You will actually find that down here in Melbourne most "vics", as you put it, the Melbournian public and Media admire Sydney's culture and ability to sustain through the long season and keep winning games playing fast and competitive football. For despite injury setbacks and players that are underrated, the Swans keep getting up on their opponents each week, to achieve that ultimate prize of glory.
Jake
Guest
I count the Tahs win as a win for Australia. An Aussie team beating a kiwi team. AFL fans in Vic are past the I hate every team outside this state, I doubt you'll find a supporter of a Melbourne club cheering Hawthorn, there is more hatred aimed at Hawthorn than Sydney. And SOO, let's face it, it's between two states every single year. There's a 50-50 chance your going to win it. In saying that, I think the shield should be stripped from NSW considering their captain for all three games was on an official ASADA backdated ban, meaning NSW fielded a team with an ineligible player therefore their team and victory is compromised. But in saying all that, if I was a NSWelshman, it's been an incredibly successful year.
Josh
Guest
I must congratulate you on mentioning Western Sydney Wanderers and not Sydney FC, considering they're the same colour as the Waratahs that's a hilarious oversignt, but we'll take it !
Johnno
Guest
Love the nam TahDan, you love the Tahs and NSW. You love how NSW centric Australian rugby is, I feel it running through me.
TahDan
Roar Guru
The Tahs didn't have the luxury of playing a severely jet lagged Crusaders team like the Reds back in 2011, so it was always going to be a bit tricky, but that was one almighty performance from both teams all the same. Could have gone either way, but it was beautiful that Richie cost the 'Saders the game... just poetry in motion.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
It's good that NSW finally won SOO to make 2015 interesting but let's not kid ourselves that NSW were the better side. And they were led by a drug cheat ... And the Tahs managed to fall across the line on the back of a dodgy penalty against McCaw. We all know they were choking badly. Swans are a powerhouse. Just sayin'
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Clickbait, and very poorly constructed clickbait at that. Still, I'll bite, it makes a change from David Lord's usual Brit & Euro-bashing articles anyway. "The high-flying Sydney Swans are in the AFL decider next Saturday at the MCG, where every Victorian will be supporting Hawthorn to beat those ‘bastards’ from Sydney." Except perhaps those Victorians from South Melbourne, and or indeed any Victorians that have a dislike for Hawthorn. I can't imagine suburbs like Essendon or Collingwood being daubed in brown & gold in a show of solidarity come the weekend. And how are all those NSW teams going in the NRC at the moment?
Johnno
Guest
David Lord loves NSW, more NSW/Sydney centric bias.
Boris
Guest
Awesome article David! Go NSW!
MJB
Guest
The sun rises in the east, and Monday morning brings another David Lord "Mine's bigger than yours" article...
Rob G
Guest
Prepare for backlash