Before I begin, I must state for the record that I am a rugby league novice.
Three months ago, if you had asked me what the 40-20 rule was, I would have thought it had something to do with a pie-eating contest and you had remembered the brand name incorrectly.
But last night’s game between NSW and Queensland was my first ever experience of State of Origin; and it blew me away.
I have been to AFL grand finals, A-League grand finals, but this was on a whole other level.
More from State of Origin 1:
» Five talking points
» The big issues examined
» The Liebke Ratings
» Laurie Daley drops a post-Origin bombshell
To walk into one of the great cathedrals of Australian sport, drenched in a deep blue light, with music to rival any Hollywood blockbuster blasting from the rafters as over 80,000 New South Welshman roared when their heroes appeared on screen was a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Unfortunately I couldn’t tell you if the game was good or not. Only that from a purely mutual standpoint I enjoyed not only the play on the field, but the atmosphere off it.
By the second half I had been lured in by the Blues fans around me and joined them in cursing out the referee after Josh Morris’ disallowed try.
I was on my feet as NSW fought to win the game, cheering and screaming along with some of my fellow adopted statesmen.
And this brings me to the crux of my point. For the life of me, I cannot remember being that excited at an AFL game.
Now this may be because I am a Fremantle Dockers supporter and our AFL season rivals the Newcastle Knights in terms of misery, but Origin is definitely doing something right.
Like a magpie to a shiny object I was almost immediately transfixed by the rock and roll atmosphere, a fact that is in stark contrast to the spectacle at some recent AFL grand finals (Meatloaf, need I say more?).
And this is where the AFL is falling behind, relying on the codes undoubtedly entrenched loyalty in Victoria and other footy strongholds.
Admittedly, it’s hard to put on a light show in the middle of the day for the grand final, but you have to give the fans something. I’m not expecting a Super Bowl half time show but give me something!
And there needs to be a discussion because the NRL seems to know what it’s doing. Game 1 saw the highest ever viewing numbers from down south.
Maybe it’s a sign the AFL needs to reconsider the idea of representative footy? But that’s an argument for another day.
I get that it’s easy to market State versus State for League, but I came to that game expecting to have a few drinks with an old mate and laugh at a sport I didn’t get. I left cursing out the ref and screaming ‘we we’re robbed’ with Blues fans.
The NRL did something right, and it won a new fan. Now I just have to decide which club team to go for
Gregory
Guest
Cathar take a trip over to England, union out numbers Rugby League 10 fold in every aspect. People in Europe enjou a sport with tactics, using your brain and skill not one of repetitive same thing for 80 mins. Its why Union has kicked off around the world and is why Rugby League is trying to bring a Toronto team in full of Poms, Aussies and Kiwis to play for a city that doesn't know this team exists.
Gregory
Guest
A big Rugby League World cup Craigo? Mate thats nothing to get excited about. 3.5 countries care and know it's been taken place the rest of the teams are full of players that cant make the big 3 teams. Please do not spruik your World Cup its an embarrassment to every sport that has a proper one. One more thing why do the NRL have to start including Touch football and Oztag numbers in Rugby League participation rates? Was it to look like participation numbers are growing in Rugby League? I have friends that love Touch Football but cant stand Rugby League yet are getting included as a Rugby League participant..
clipper
Guest
I think you may have forgotten 6 nations, RWC, etc
celtic bandaid
Guest
Up to you Matthew however be aware and be careful, some Dogs fans have been known for being very persuasive
In brief
Guest
F
Cathar Treize
Guest
Funny, AFLers accuse league people in another article that they should be more open minded when its a league fan going to AFL games. That pretence is certainly squashed when its the other way around.
Cathar Treize
Guest
So the local league comp still outrates the local union comp on TV in England, so where does that put union then clipper? Dead?
clipper
Guest
Yes, it is a funny viewpoint, but on the other side of the coin people still refer to AR as the Victorian game, even though it is just as dominant in WA, SA and TAS. I guess about half the AFL teams are there, but you don't refer to EPL as the London game. As you and another poster said, league is more an Australian game name, almost gone in it's native land.
matth
Guest
I agree in NSW. I think in QLD, especially among the older supporters, we'll take Origin every year, thanks very much.
STATE OF ORIGIN Is the highest level in the game
Guest
Exactly! If the AFL can run International Rules games post-season, and the clubs don't mind them playing, then State of Origin can be run in it's place!
STATE OF ORIGIN Is the highest level in the game
Guest
The AFL should definitely bring back State of Origin!! Of course people want to watch a level much higher than the AFL, and having the best players play on each other all in the same game! And polls for a long time have supported that. Polls for a considerable time, from players and fans have said a vast majority of them want Representative Football to return. The AFL should play a 2 Week, 3 game tournament post season, with the winners playing off in a Final. That way the clubs won't mind players playing. It would be a great business move!! Have cash prizes for Best-on-Ground, Premiership medals and a Premiership Cup for incentives for players to play. If the AFL want more money from T.V Rights, what do you reckon 5 All-Star games will do.
catcat
Guest
Hi Mathew- great to hear you enjoyed SOO. I am a Bulldogs supporters and would like to persuade to become a Dogs fan. The Dogs are known for their big forward pack, and are on track for making the finals this year... Three Bulldogs players were in the game you saw - Josh Jackson (#12), Brett Morris (#18) and David Klemmer (#16) (he ran over the top of one of the QLDers if you recall). So if you like what you saw - come over and go for Dogs!
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I wouldnt worry about the code war warriors or the Victorian infererority complex when it comes to SOO Mate. Your one of the lucky few who can genuinly enjoy both codes. Far better to have two teams to follow in 2 different codes than the pathetic arguments over which is best. SOO is like having a best of 3 grand final half way through the season every year. Personally i think WA is the only place the NRL should expand the game to. West Coast Pirates sound good to me.
Ken
Guest
'Rugby League is a British game & interstate rivalries are suited to its colonial background' What a strange and seemingly irrelevant comment. Especially when it seems that such a long bow could only be justified on interstate rivalry! Never one to walk away from a good argument though, Rugby League may have started off in 19th century England, but the 21st century version we observe now has been completely defined by Australia, both in rules and style of play. Of course AFL is much the same, clearly based on 19th century English football games but re-imagined and re-defined in this country. It occurred in very different ways, but they are both mostly Australian games based on English traditions. Also the 'truly national AFL competiton'. Aren't more than half of the teams in the comp within spitting distance of each other in the one city? I'm not saying League is significantly different but why the pretence to superiority?
smell the fear
Guest
a truly amateur article
smell the fear
Guest
only football can do it right marron? good to see someone playing the role of Fuss
Spongebob
Guest
Nah it was frustrating - at it is every year. Some smart aleck said something like, "that's what happens when you make a team full of rep players". Yeah, except nearly every rep player at the Broncos was a nobody who came through the system. It's not as if they went on a spending spree like some and bought half a side. Because they developed good players while others didn't, it's "just desserts" they should have their season heavily affected? Come on. Would be like breaking Mayweather's arms and legs before he fights me because it's just not fair he's so much better; maybe he should have thought about it before becoming so good.
Aaron
Guest
Exactly. Sometimes, like last year, the Broncos managed to do well during Origin period but got fatigued towards the back end of the competition before firing up in the finals. Other years, we can expect all losses during Origin period. It is what it is.
duecer
Guest
A few points to consider, Most sport comes from somewhere else, just because it started in England doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed, especially since it has declined so much in its homeland that it seems more Australian now. It's all very well boasting about best ratings ever, but remember that the Australian Open gets far bigger figures when an Australian features and Tennis isn't exactly going great guns. You would expect a prime time spot to beat an afternoon spot - obviously wiggle room for the next contract. There's big pros with the SoO, but also big cons - it becomes the pinnacle, international interest declines (admittedly not a concern for AR) and hampers national ambitions, for 3 games you remind everyone it's a NSW and QLD game, but if you try to involve another state you would lose what made it special.
GWSINGAPORE
Guest
Night grand final will happen in the next tv contract. A card the AFL is holding up its sleeve.