State of Origin is an untamed beast that dominates conversation for eight exhilarating weeks from May to July each and every year.
The mystique surrounding Origin is indescribable. It’s an event that reduces grown men to a blubbering puddle, or raises them to delirious highs no drug could ever compare with.
Conversation begins months ahead with debates on team selection. Men and women of all ages will scrawl together a ferocious unit of 17 men to take on their enemy state. Conjecture rages throughout. Youth policy? Experience? Loyalty? Form? Attacking players?
Club coaches will begin to spruik their players, former Origin greats will either lambast or support players to make the team. Successful former NSW Origin coach Phil Gould will no doubt push his influence on what NSW need to do to leave the field victorious.
Tommy Raudonikis will croak down any microphone that will listen about how the team is not tough enough, not physical enough, and not playing by the rules of the 1970s.
Every fan has iconic memories.
Think Raudonikis’ infamous ‘Cattledog’ call, with the ferociousness and grandeur enhanced every time it is replayed.
Mark Geyer towering over ‘King’ Wally Lewis, with the referee whimpering between the two giants.
Captain Paul Gallen greeting Nate Myles with his fists, leading Phil Lutton and Brad Walter to pen, “The gentrification of Origin football started before the 39th minute of game one, 2013, but this would be the one-two combination that swiftly disinfected the greatest game of all.”
This week Roar Expert Ryan O’Connell suggested it is time for a culture change in the NSW ranks, that the Blues should name a team without hardened veterans such as Greg Bird and Beau Scott. Ultra-competitive grub Josh Reynolds should not play. Inspirational captain Paul Gallen, who led us out of the dark ages, should not be picked.
O’Connell wants to change the culture of the team. A grub-free state. A team he can be proud of.
Apparently these players have failed to command the respect of Queensland fans, and while accepting it’s not a goal, O’Connell said it would be a nice bonus to beat Queensland “fair and square”.
The 2014 series had the least amount of enterprising and positive football in recent memory. Dour matches, played tough. An eight-year drought broken by a single dummy.
He has forgotten that Origin is born to be bad, it is built on the ugly, the fearsome. Origin is the untamed monster whose mouth waters at savaging their defenceless prey. It is not about acrobatic tries to make highlight reels for years to come, it is about which state wants it more, is more desperate.
That is the magic.
O’Connell says “Let’s face it, come State of Origin time, the irrational, illogical, one-eyed bias and vitriol that emanates out of both states is as comical as it is stupid.”
It is also makes these eight weeks the most magical time of the year.
Bring it on.
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