They may have lost but at least NSW State of Origin fans got to see the Blues play in Sydney this year.
Because they won’t see a Sydney side in the NRL or AFL grand finals after North Queensland and Richmond continued their fairytale runs to scupper the respective title hopes of the Sydney Roosters and the GWS Giants.
It’s only the second time NSW won’t be represented in either of the two biggest games of the year as Adelaide play the Tigers for 2017 AFL supremacy on Saturday before Melbourne and the Cowboys square off on Sunday for NRL premiership glory.
The outlook is particularly bleak for Blues fans with not a single NSW Origin star lining up in the NRL title decider following the Sydney Roosters’ 29-16 elimination in front of shellshocked home fans at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
The Maroons, on the other hand, will have 10 players featuring in the grand final – led by the Storm’s superstar trio Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Queensland captain Cameron Smith, along with Melbourne teammates Will Chambers, Cameron Munster and Tim Glasby.
The Cowboys will have four of the triumphant Maroons lining up – Justin O’Neill, man of the moment Michael Morgan, skipper Gavin Cooper and Cohen Hess.
It’s the first grand final since the NRL’s inception in 1998 not to have any past or present NSW Origin players in action.
The wipeout completes a season of lost opportunities for NSW teams, with Cronulla’s premiership defence coming to an abrupt halt in week one of the finals before Parramatta, then the Roosters, fell victim to the Cowboys.
Manly also crashed out in week one of the play-offs before their conquerors Penrith were sent packing by Brisbane.
The Giants’ exit after a 36-point loss to Richmond came a week after the Sydney Swans’ hopes back-to-back AFL grand final appearances were crushed by Geelong.
terrence
Guest
Don't worry bigj, just like 2015, it'll be one of the top 5 highest watched TV shows (the three origins, plus the NRL grand final usually make up the top 4 each year) and the game will be a sell-out as always as it is more of a corporate event than a weekly died-in-the-wool fan event. And just like 2015, the airlines, hotels in Sydney, will gauge the hell out of died-in-the-wool fans making their way to Sydney. Happy days!
terrence
Guest
Don't worry steveng, just like 2015, it'll be one of the top 5 highest watched TV shows (the three origins, plus the NRL grand final usually make up the top 4 each year) and the game will be a sell-out as always as it is more of a corporate event than a weekly died-in-the-wool fan event. And just like 2015, the airlines, hotels in Sydney, will gauge the hell out of died-in-the-wool fans making their way to Sydney. Happy days!
terrence
Guest
For people who can't afford Sydney yes, bit like saying Hobart/Adelaide are better than Melbourne.
terrence
Guest
Don't know about the NRL being so Sydney supportive, I'd say they are more Brisbane/Melbourne focused. Have been for years. The Broncos especially get better treatment, not only the draw (admittedly the TV rights help this as CH9 know the Broncs get eyes on screens at home or away. Fair enough. The Storm don't get the amount of support the Broncs do, but not by much. They get a better rum at the draw etc. than a lot of Sydney clubs, even after being caught systematically cheating for 5 seasons (2006-2010) by the NRL and both the NRL/Storm owners News Limited. I think the Storm have had it way too easy. A few officials and players should have been rubbed out of the NRL for life, some will most likely be involved this weekend. A very sad state of affairs.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Will see about the Bears getting to the Gold Coast, but that does not mean that the NRL are grining through there teeth about another non sydney grand final . Brisbane have dropped the Donks like a bad habit and are firmly on the Cowboys bandwagon.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Unless you live in Brisbane where you would be hard pressed to know there was another team besides the Broncos doing anything. I don't see anything to back up this claim of yours. If they were all "Sydney" then they would have given the Bears a license instead of the Gold Coast. If anything the NRL are all about "anywhere but Sydney".
BigJ
Roar Guru
totally, Brisbane is better than Sydney anyday
Alex L
Roar Rookie
You've moved up in the world then!
Nat
Roar Guru
There seems to be a whole lot of broad statements in your 2 posts Republican. Of course Sydney has an influence in most things Rugby League purely by weight in numbers. But that same comparison applies with the Swans, otherwise known as the South Melbourne Bloods and made of those Melbourne players and coach. Swans two premierships come from imports as well with the most notable player today - Buddy Franklin. Can you name how many BnB NSWelshmen play for Swans these days? Rugby league in Victoria has 4 separate divisions with 34 clubs, most of whom have been registered since early 2000's. Some local juniors of note to come through their regional clubs: Jeremy Smith, Gareth Widdop (yes English but started at Storm at 16), Drury Lowe, Young Tonumaipea, Richie Kenner, Mahe Fanua. Smith, Slater, Cronk, Bromwich... have never played with any other NRL club. Further, what the Storm have done with lesser quality players is well documented. So, knowing the facts, I would argue that Vic league has a soul and the GR League has done very well in an AFL dominated state than your broad statements may suggest.
BigJ
Roar Guru
not just this year Steveng, the AFL laughs to the bank every year.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Sorry - you're right! Sydney born & bred, currently residing in Brissy!
BigJ
Roar Guru
That is becuse Dogs, the NRL are all, Sydney, Sydney Sydney!!! I dont know how many times I have said this on this website, this article just confirms that I am right.
BigJ
Roar Guru
quite correct
steveng
Roar Rookie
I wonder how many NSW men and women will attend the 2017 GF or watch it on TV??? And why does the GF has to be held at that dreaded Olympic Stadium??? The NRL has a lot of problems here in Sydney and its not getting any better. SOO has killed the support of NSW men and women to club football and the consequences are evident 'year by year'. The AFL must be laughing all the way to the bank each year.
republican
Guest
......the point is all these 'teams' are generic and as such do not represent any tribe, so state or status of respective codes within these states. The GR of League is virtually non existent in Melbourne and throughout Vic, so the Storm epitomise the generic aspect of professional sport today, as do GWS in respect of Australian Footy. That said, League is shrinking in terms of support at the GR and general support, throughout Sydney. The NRL appears to be afforded O2 predominately through Qlders and Kiwis these days.........
Dave_S
Guest
Sydney teams don't pull crowds anyway. Who'll notice they're not there?
Dave_S
Guest
On behalf of the rest of Australia I would like to apologise for hurting NSW's feelings. You guys are very, very important to us.
terrence
Guest
yep, don't see any headlines like "No Perth, Hobart, Sydney or Brisbane teams in NRL/AFL grand finals" or "No QLD teams win the QLD Cup". What a silly headline/article, stating what we all already know.
terrence
Guest
yep, don't see any headlines like "No Perth, Hobart, Sydney or Brisbane teams in NRL/AFL grand finals" or "No QLD teams win the QLD Cup". What a silly headline/article, stating what we all already know.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yes, clearly. Your second comment is less informed than your first. One click will give you all the information you need.