State of Origin kick-off time – it’s just impossible to predict. Scheduled kick-off times and rugby league go together terribly – it just doesn’t work. So, it’s time for everyone’s favourite Origin game: kick-off bingo.
The pre-match schedules claim the game will start at 8pm (AEST), and this year’s Origin kick-off time is reportedly scheduled for 8:12, but whether that’s the case remains to be seen.
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The teams generally haven’t even finished warming up by 8:00, with the TV networks going through their long pre-match build-up.
By the time the teams run onto the field, sing the national anthem, warm up (again) and go through whatever other pre-match preparation they have to do, the pre-ordained time for kick-off has long gone and those tuning in late with no prior knowledge about how Origin works would be expecting the game to be closing in on halftime.
So, as always, we’re throwing the question out there for the traditional game of kick-off bingo (or kick-off lottery or whatever else you want to call it): when will State of Origin Game 1 begin?
For a bit of extra help, last year’s opening game kicked off at 8:21pm, Game 2 began at 8:23pm and Game 3 got underway at the unbelievably early time of 8:15pm (AEST).
So be sure to leave your vote on the form below and let us know in the comments below when you think tonight’s game will begin. We’ll update the results at 7:30pm (AEST) tonight.
Results:
The verdict is in! 8:17pm is the time picked by Roarers for kick-off, ahead of 8:18pm and 8:19pm. Of course, there were also some outlandish suggestions, like 3am and 1am. 8:30pm was also a popular selection.
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
8:16:03 officially. They're a bit keen aren't they?
bookie
Guest
nope later than 8.12
Alexander Clough
Roar Pro
Gotta kick off in the next 30 seconds for that to happen
Rellum
Roar Guru
Looks like 8.12pm might be the ticket
bookie
Guest
i agree , maybe later.
bookie
Guest
Qld will drag kick off out to about 8.34 and later to unsettle NSW.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Not Meatloaf please. Might as well get a dog toy up there and squeeze it into a mike with lead guitar in the background
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
I hope it's Boy George this year. It's always someone to flog off The Voice. I still have shudders remembering Delta Goodrem doing half time "entertainment" a few years back. The horror the horror ... Where's Billy Idol these days? Meat Loaf?
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Who will out-enthuse, who will out-origin etc etc blah blah ...
matth
Guest
8:19 for me. 8:15 in game 3 was a reaction to the late starts, so they tried to fix it. The will now slowly backslide
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Gus scrapped the final word because he couldnt remember all the words (seriously). Theyve had Lockyer doing a few of them for before last year buts its not the same. Its a pity because it was the only thing I ejoyed about Gus
TBJ
Guest
To give ex contestants from the Voice, Xfactor, Aus Idol and Aussies have talent another moment in the sun.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
I reckon this will be the closest brush ever with the magical 8:30 mark. I'll say 8:28.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
If Gus brings back the final word, lord, who knows. He scrapped it after he delivered the "NSW have to win, they just have to" and they unsurprisingly lost. 8:20, why do we have a national anthem for a contest only two provincial teams take part in?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Oh sweet jesus not another one of those!!
BigJ
Roar Guru
The game starts when somebody kicks off. Ill guess 20:13
Ryman White
Editor
I'm going in between Conks and Dan! 8:16.
Stingray
Guest
By the time the Cockroach filled 9 team Phool gould,Gooy Jones and Bad Fittler stop bagging Qld I say 9.25
Kaks
Roar Guru
9:45 after a Gus Gould lecture about passion
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I think the Blues will be ready to kick off on time, but the Cam Smith-led Maroons will scrap and wrestle and cheat their way to an 8:20pm kick off.