State Of Origin is one of the best sporting events for a neutral to watch.
I spent half my life in Queensland but I’m back home in Victoria these days. Dad’s from New South Wales but grew up with union. Growing up, Australian Rules dominated my winter. Now there is MLB, Super Rugby and VFL to consume my thoughts too.
I’m a casual NRL fan, but this time of year leaves me filled with envy.
More 2015 State of Origin:
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» Where State of Origin Game 1 will be won and lost
» State of Origin 2015: Game 1 preview
» PRICHARD: Maroons to win Origin 1
A return of AFL State Of Origin is a pipe dream, as neither the administrators or television networks seem interested. Their lack of interest is something I just don’t understand.
I miss the Big V. Tony Lockett and Gary Ablett in the same forward line was a pleasure to watch. Beating the Sandgropers and Croweaters gave a joy that I only fully appreciated as I grew up and was lucky enough to participate in interstate sport. When it comes to Origin it’s a case of not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone.
Origin has never been more popular in Victoria than it is now, and seeing it at the MCG is going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to see the social media talk elevate through the week and the first collision on Wednesday night.
Surely this popularity would translate back to AFL? Give me a choice between the public holiday on grand final eve and AFL Origin and it’s a non-contest.
To the people who live and die by Origin my message is simple – embrace it and never let it slip away from your grasp.
To the AFL the message is equally simple – give us back what we so desperately crave.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Spot on, and the SOO does not prove anything when the Kangaroos get beaten and the Kangaroos are going to end up a second rate side. The SOO disrupts the NRL competition and virtually holds it to ransom with its 3 games and its timespan. A better idea would be to hold the SOO after the NRL competition is finished.
Cass
Guest
'Dad' - it's ok we get it - you don't like State of Origin. But considering you seem to view it with such contempt, I am amazed at how much time you spend reading about it and quoting on it.
Alvin Purple
Guest
Baldie - I am not sure how the SOO holds back the expansion of the game into other states or countries. In fact I think you will find that it promotes it!! My brother in law is a dyed in the wool RU man from NZ and he tells me as a kid they could not wait for the SOO every year. Kids do aspire to SOO as it has been the most competitive contest in the code in the last 20 years. We have however now seen the NZ and to lesser extent English sides become more competitive and in time wearing the Australian jumper will be more important as it should be. If you have actually taken any time to research some of the progress of RL into other states or countries I think you will find more RL being played than ever before. WA has had large increases in junior numbers, a Victorian school side is taking the place of Holy Cross Ryde in the main school boy competition and the NRL is sponsoring school programs in PNG as well as adopting a Pacific strategy for Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. NZ is now the number 1 RL nation. It may get good ratings due to its time slot but in the end it is still the largest watch TV program (not just sports) that this country has every year. No doubt despite all your negativity you will be watching the game this Wednesday as you are a sucker for the marketing like the rest of us. If not then enjoy Downton Abbey or what ever else is on at the time.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Spot on Xavier I agree with you. Unfortunately that ship has shipped in the AFL the clubs are way too powerful. Having said that it does annoy me the impact it has on my NRL club every year. Not fair on the clubs when we pay the majority of the players wages.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Better players in front of him.
Raugeee
Guest
hey just watching Raiders play and just saw Papali score. How come he's not in the QLD side? In fact he ought to have played for Australia along with Fifita.
Xavier Player
Roar Pro
Nothing to do with ratings. It's to do with the fact it's an enjoyable event and the AFL could benefit from reintroducing it.
Kirk
Guest
even the fumbleball world cup
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
Bigger? No doubt. Better? Hardly
up in the north
Roar Rookie
This article should have been titled the jealousy of Origin.
Birdy
Guest
You 've got kids?
dad
Guest
LOL. Nobody is jealous. Even the Women's Football World Cup will be a bigger event. Or the Ping Pong World Cup. Hundreds of sporting events world wide are bigger...
Lance Skelton
Guest
Nice idea....In fact I suggested the same thing a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the clubs control the AFL these days and they don't want their players getting hurt.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
As a league fan and a casual AFL watcher, I would totally watch an AFL state of Origin match. I think the best way to introduce these things is to hold a single annual match a couple of months before the start of the season, and let the build up get bigger and bigger every year, similar to the NRL All Stars vs Indigenous All Stars game.
Birdy
Guest
Afl is gamon . Love it. One word instead of a whole book . Ritchie Benaud would be so proud.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Gamon! A first on the Roar I reckon. Too deadly.
Luke Worthington
Roar Rookie
I wish we could have AFL State of Origin, but they do not have enough pride, and there is not enough history for the first rate players to want to play seriously. It really sucks..
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
AFL State of Origin: 2nd rate reserve players fumbling the ball for 3 hours. Dull.
Jay C
Roar Guru
AFL is gamon
baldie
Guest
Don't be jealous. Origin is holding league back. It stops the game from expanding in Vic, WA, ACT, SA, NZ and the Pacific Islands. Juniors have nothing to play for. Why would you decide to play league as a kid when the greatest honor you can achieve is playing for NSW! Unless your from NSW or QLD it offers nothing to the rest of the league world. Don't be fooled by the massive ratings, it gets a free kick on a wed night, backed by the biggest marketing campaign of any game in Australia. The fact they use money to lure non NSW and QLD residents to play for both sides is a telling sign that this game is artificial and is nothing but a marketeers wet dream feeding on a sports craved population.