We’ve heard it all before: when Arthur Beetson put one on the chin of his Parramatta teammate and good friend Mick Cronin at Lang Park back in 1980, State of Origin was born.
The imaginary border between New South Wales and Queensland suddenly became tangible, and the east coast of Australia was divided along state lines.
Queensland in particular developed an inflamed sense patriotism that has since rendered the Maroon jumper an almost sacred commodity. A defining feature of the Queensland spirit is the sense of tribalism that turns Caxton Street into a hostile environment for anyone wearing blue in the weeks and possibly even months leading up to Origin. Wear maroon, however, and you’re family.
At the same time, names like Lewis, Gillmeister and of course Beetson have become synonymous with royalty when you head north of the Tweed. Another Queensland legend who’d be flat out is Gorden Tallis – the Raging Bull.
One of the toughest and most brutal players to ever grace the game of rugby league, Tallis would often go to another level when he had a maroon jumper on his back. Who could ever forget that tackle on Brett Hodgson during the 2002 State of Origin series?
Over the years Tallis came to embody everything Queensland rugby league was about – indeed he carried that trademark Queensland spirit onto the field every time he played. Or so we’re told.
As his media career continues to develop and grow post-retirement, we’re starting to realise that the much revered Queensland spirit we hear so much about might not be so watertight after all.
Twice already this season Tallis has come out and openly slammed a fellow Queenslander Daly Cherry-Evans, a guy who has worn the Maroon Guernsey six times. So much for looking after their own.
Worry not, however, because the animosity apparently stems from the infamous backflip DCE performed on the Gold Coast Titans back in 2015. That’s right, Tallis has written off a fellow Queensland player, because he turned his back on a corporate entity owned by the NRL that didn’t even exist when Tallis retired.
It seems it all comes down to their precious geographical location. Give me a break. Where was the Bull’s ferocity when another Queenslander, Josh Papalii, turned his back on a deal with Parramatta in 2013?
While it’s difficult to disagree with Tallis’s comments regarding DCE’s form at Origin level, you’ve got to feel for a guy who fosters an entirely different style of play to the meticulous brand of football Queensland have developed and executed so brutally over the last 11 years. To rip off Einstein, a fish is useless if you ask it to climb a tree.
One group of fans who won’t at all mind seeing Cherry-Evans dragged through the mud by Mr Queensland himself, however, are those on the Peninsula.
Remember when DCE was accused by Tallis of showing a lack of interest before Manly towelled the Cowboys earlier this season? Those remarks may have turned Daly’s career around. Similar remarks were again made this week by Tallis, who claimed that the manner in which DCE reneged on his deal with Titans upset the king Wally Lewis himself. The resentment couldn’t have been more obvious.
When Manly play the Titans at CBUS Super Stadium today, Cherry-Evans will lead his Sea Eagles out onto the ground that he apparently turned upside-down two years ago. Don’t be at one bit surprised if he rips it up all over again.
So cheers for that, Gorden.
Albo
Guest
Egg on face for me again ! Titans night off it seemed ?
madmax
Guest
No one in NSW really cares what Tallis or Lewis have to say! Wally makes sense some times however Tallis needs to learn how to speak properly before opening his Neanderthal mouth! Probably hates DCE even more after he demolished his beloved Tiatns last night!!! He should shut up with his personal attacks on other players. He conveniently forgets his tantrum when he sat out the season & let down the Dragons before moving north....what a hypocrite!!
Jack's Dad
Guest
Well I think young Jack may have nailed it with this article. Manlys attitude was uncompromising. Thanks Gordy. Ya dope.
frnq
Guest
ghui, your mums a rag
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Integrity of a QLDer like Josh Papalii, Greg Inglis? Or what about Mal Meninga turning his back on PNG mid-contract? He didn't even inform the PNGRL about it either. QLDers, like everyone, will often take a better offer when it comes along. Don't confuse the intense media scrutiny that followed DCE, as his situation being any worse than the others above. It was also good to see Mal recently come out defending DCE, blaming his own poor game plan and preparation as the reasons for the 2014 series loss.
bearfax
Guest
Scott, the problem with what is reported is that the majority of people seem to accept News Lld propaganda virtually as sacrosanct. Make no mistake, News Ltd still have a powerful vested interest in the game and what they report, including from the Courier Mail, which is a News subsidiary, influences the viewpoints of the readers. News and the League were dirty that their questionable deal to get DCE to the League financed Titans was countered by Manly using the rules set down by the League to get DCE to the Titans. The media response, including from the SuperLeague News Ltd paid Tallis, went on a defaming campaign, that because of the developed dislike of Manly, suited fans well. But nothing illegal was done by DCE or the Manly club. Now look at other players lost by the Titans. Sezer signed a three year contract with Canberra, in April 2015, just as his season with the Titans was beginning. Roberts agreed to a three year contract in June 2015 to stay with the Titans for a further 3 years. He even stated publicly his excitement over the deal. But the contract was suddenly declared null and void because it seemed the manager had forged his name. Roberts had stated he was staying, yet immediately after he signs a 2 year contract with the Bronks. Both players were wanted by the Titans and both left them hanging, especially Roberts who even declared he was staying. Now how much bad press have these two received from the News Media. Almost none. And consequently those reading their slanted news columns seem to have accepted that as OK. The Roberts issue was far worse than the DCE matter, yet because its Brisbane, an NRL favourite son, its swept under the carpet. You see the News Ltd has us reacting to what they want us to respond to. Their vested interests in the game ensures their favoured agendas are met.
bearfax
Guest
A valid point Bunney. He's not as good as Thurston and Cronk and in fact QLD will struggle big time when those two retire because there is no one up to that standard coming through. DCE is probably the next level down. he also plays a different style of play and sometimes team mates need time to work out his moves.
qwetzen
Guest
Oxymoron of the Week: "Wests star".
Chui
Guest
Damn. You've summed me up perfectly. Taxi
Scott
Guest
He will also be booed louder than any other Manly player, may they lose with dignity and pride
Bunney
Roar Rookie
hahaha! 'der' in Queenslander! I love old Gordy, but I had a friend that couldn't stand him and constantly referred to him as a 'meathead', so I now have an involuntary term association with Gordy! But your line is even better - hopefully a new association term has begun!
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Well said Bearfax. My only gripe with DCE is he couldn't get the job done in SOO 2014, and we lost (once!). No other dramas here with DCE, but you mention a few in the game that could definitely do with some fixing.
Adsa
Guest
Tallis has achieved far more in life than you ever will Chui, Grand final wins, Captain of club, state and country, please fill us in on your career highlights to date, do you have job?, any friends ? or are you a nobody with a chip on his shoulder who gets his kicks insulting people who have applied themselves?. Insulting a persons mother really sums you up - lower than bilge water.
bearfax
Guest
DCE was gone because Manly foolishly said Goodbye thinking they could keep Foran, because they couldnt afford both. When they lost Foran, DCE had already signed with the Titans. But he had always said he wanted to stay at Manly. He was just about to sign a $750,000 a year contract when Manly pulled to agreement, despite bigger offers elsewhere. The Titans offered a 4 years deal worth a million a year, thanks to NRL financing of the club, which was seriously considered a conflict of interest. Manly had to offer something beyond that to get him back. The only flaw, was made by Manly in not signing him in the first place. Secondly there was a big legal question mark which was at worst an ethical mine field that the NRL were financing the Titans to take a player from one club for a club they virtually owned at that time. DCE was going to play for the Titans, no question. As for Tallis calling a spade a spade, more likely he calls anything not in his interests a tool. This is the guy that tried to break his contract with St George and when he lost a subsequent court battle, spat the dummy and refused to meet his contract obligations by sitting out the last year of his contract. He was offered a fortune to go to Brisbane as part of the SuperLeague money grab, so talking of DCE being in it just for the money is the pot calling the kettle black as they say with Tallis.
Big Daddy
Guest
One thing about Gordon he calls a spade a spade. Most RL players are only interested in one thing -- money. DCE used this to his own advantage and he obviously knew foran was going and wanted to be the big fish in a small bowl at manly.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It is always funny seeing people south of the boarder try and work out the QLS spirit. You are from down there, you won't get it. You will never get it, and that is the way it should be.
Chui
Guest
Aaaahh Gorden. Forever puting the 'der' in Queenslander. It really has me stumped how the brain dead like this guy end up in the media. It's just embarrassing. Fittler, Geyer. This list is endless. At least it stips Braith Anasta winning the most overrated commentator award three years running. Gordy, your mum's a rig.
Albo
Guest
Good point Jimmy ! I forgot about the hyphenated name thingy ! Poor bugger has had no chance of acceptance up there ! Fullerton -Smith only got away with it because he was another Wally ! Maybe a name change to Wally Cherry-Evans might assist his chances ?
Jimmmy
Guest
As for talking too good , well us mob don't go with the plumb in mouth thing. We also don't go too much on the double barrellled surname. ( I give Wally Fullerton-Smith A leave pass because of his comment about wingers). But I really really object to the comments about Manly. Many favourite sons have been silver tails ., Choppy, Fatty, and the remarkable KB . The only thing we ask is they rise to the Origin occasion. DCE didn't and I put him in the same bin as another Manly great Cliff Lyons, A truely remarkable club footballer who couldn't handle Origin. DCE may well tear apart the Titans ( not my call though) but he will never tear apart NSW. Do QLDers hold a grudge.? I saw Arthur Beerson play for NSW in 1977, so I sure as hell do.
bearfax
Guest
What a load of malarky Qwetzen. Get real. We seem to forget Tallis doing the dirty of St George. We seem to forget during the same period as DCE did his back flip about another half dozen players did the same thing. Then we see several Wests star switching to the financial heavyweights of the comp. We all know about the TPAs that Brisbane, Parramatta, Canterbury and Sydney City use to entice players from clubs unable to compete financially despite the joke called the salary cap. Manly did something similar in the early 70s and 80s and has never been forgiven for it, yet these modern plunderers receive a carte blanch from the league supporters it seems. What double standards. DCE acted within the existing rules of the game. Lets not get into the joke of some form of morality being breached. Where is the morality where a team like Parramatta can rort the system big time, receive a token penalty and still retain the players they grabbed from Manly with over the top offers. Yeh there's a problem with integrity in this game but it has nothing to do with DCE