State of Origin returns to Melbourne tonight, the latest in rugby league’s crude attempts at redress for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
How much longer can Victoria’s number one sport withstand these constant advances of the Origin juggernaut? Or is laneway art popular enough to withstand the attack?
And of greater concern, what about the state’s fledgling start-up of AFL?
Can Melbourne’s football code withstand the irresistible pull of transcendent names like Jai Arrow, Angus Crichton and the unmistakable Kalvin Waters?
More State of Origin 1
» Six talking points from New South Wales’ Game 1 victory
» NSW WIN! Baby Blues too good for Queensland at the MCG
» As it happened: Re-live Origin 1 with our live scores and blog
» WATCH: Josh Addo-Carr scores an unbelievably good try to seal the result
» WATCH: Tom Trbojevic’s superb high-flying try
While Victorians would usually call upon a Dylan Napa to download music or a Trbejovic brother to settle a debt, you have to concede their attitude towards league is not what it once was.
This is due to two factors: the Melbourne Storm, and because Origin continues to re-emerge in the city like a fierce case of herpes for which there’s no ointment, only abstinence.
So, thanks to these viral insurgences of beefy league, Melburnians are now as familiar with the code as an organically sourced deconstructed goldfish milk macchiato served in a hammock and priced on the menu without a decimal point.
Billy Slater makes a break at the MCG. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
There’s no doubt, the Vics really love their rugby. So why do they need this insulting guide to a game they already intimately know?
Because this year, Origin is different.
With the Maroons taking the field minus a host of Victorians like Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, the team is virtually unrecognisable because it’s made almost entirely of Queenslanders.
In addition, they don’t have Johnathan Thurston, confidence, a full team, or even goal kickers. Kinda like Carlton, only with sleeves and an aversion to cutlery.
As for NSW, they have picked yet another side poised to break Queensland’s 450-year reign, except this time there’s a break with tradition because it could do so by scoring.
Everything in Origin in 2018 is so overhauled, even the new jerseys are unidentifiable and misleading.
Gone is the gratuitous beer sponsorships, with the Blues strip now deceivingly branded with a law firm (implying they are innocent), and the Maroons a superannuation fund (implying Queenslanders have jobs).
Taking the foreigners out of the Maroons and the doubt out the Blues is like taking the Dangerwood out of Geelong or the halitosis out of Collingwood.
But have no fear – tonight’s Origin does possess a familiar, AFL flavour.
Greg Inglis once was introduced to Essendon, James Maloney has apparently seen a Sherrin online, while Jack de Belin once met a Sharon online, who apparently looked like a pack-a-day Johnny Platten. So, thankfully, the loyal Melbourne media can still thrill us with 150 ‘which AFL club could win Origin?’ pieces.
But, best of all, you petty Victorians can now forget your tenuous ties to the Storm superstars and finally side with the state most relatable both geographically and culturally – i.e. the ones who don’t brush their teeth with a possum on a stick.
Nowadays, Sydney and Melbourne are practically cultural sorority sisters, especially when you consider an inhabitant like Reagan Campbell-Gillard. He’s already promised to kill someone, but it was a metaphor – so he’s technically a poet. Just like most of Fitzroy.
Plus there’s new coach Brad Fittler, a greenie tripper who loves tai chi and walking around barefoot to soak up nutrients. Basically, he’s stuck in the mid-2000s, which was the last time the Blues were any good and when Dermot Brereton’s hairstyle was only a decade out of date.
Brad Fittler (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Synergies, girlfriend.
And even if you detest Origin, at least consider the benefits to local tourism.
Fans from NSW and Queensland will be flocking south with their spending money, all in the hope of spotting some of your famous street culture like a stunning art deco piece or Brendan Fevola wearing a fake penis.
So forget the low-scoring congestion of your chosen game, because Laurie Daley isn’t coaching anymore. Do yourself a favour and buy a ticket to the Origin opener, because the NRL can’t fudge a crowd without a crowd.
Finally, don’t forget: in rugby league, the officials are to blame for everything. So you fans don’t have to beat the crap out of each other after the match again, just like those damn soccer hooligans.
duecer
Guest
To be fair to both sides, I think the figures JT supplied are probably correct. However, he failed to note that the NRL starts earlier than the AFL and therefore has got 2 whole rounds of ratings included in that total, so they should be ahead - it would be like saying the A league had more viewers than the AFL and NRL from Jan to March. The real question is: are they ahead 50% week by week?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
You are a sad sad man clump. Get help. Hating a sport so much you have to resort to this is pathetic.
cliiper
Guest
Couldn't open the link. As shown, the SoO has officially not been the top show since 2001. It could well be this year, we'll have to wait and see.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Nrl Ratings on STV are over 245000 this year and afl 170000. That is a huge difference but I’m sure you have an excuse for this, As for relying on only metro, that is just excuse making as well You afl types just can’t handle the fact origin rates do highly, State of origin is the highest rating tv show this year and pretty much every year. You really need to get over it.
clipper
Guest
Justin - I posted the paytv figures, supplied by another league follower, that showed NRL does get better figures than the AFL, but they are not 50% better. I've done it once, will take too much trouble to find it again, but you are wrong, but you could post a link for once that proves your point. As stated multiple times, metro figures are industry standard. When they sort out overlaps, missing areas etc and provide precise figures then metro and regional might become industry standard, but they are not now.
chris
Guest
If that hybrid sport of Aussie Rules and Rugby League had ever happened then imagine the crowds and TV ratings it would of brought and a proper SOO between NSW v Victoria etc.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
You poor poor man clump. Where was I proved wrong on paytv aka STV? You seriously don’t have any idea do you? And by the way just relying on metro figures is just a pathetic attempt by you to divert from the fact rugby leagues state of origin is Australia’s biggest tv bonanza. I haven’t backtracked from anything as the figures prove I am right and you are wrong as pointed out to you in multiple forums by multiple people. Just grow up and get over it clap.
clipper
Guest
RandyM - never commented on how many games get into the top 20, and I've posted a few times that I don't agree with channels splitting the GF into separate events - but if you note the ratings you''ll see the NRL does exactly the same thing - splitting SoO into pre, match, and post rating periods. Justin - what is STV - last time you claimed the NRL outrated the AFL by 50% on Pay TV and you were proved wrong - are you now trying to backtrack? Metro figures are the industry standard - when regionals and metro get combined to become industry standard then you may claim all you like. The figures were just about the same as game 1 last year.
BigQ
Guest
@clipper Comparing apples to apples The Storm has the second best crowd average in the NRL and the 4th best membership in the NRL. The Swans are way down that list in the AFL in both crowds and membership in the AFL. So comparing apples to apples. The NRL is doing a lot better in Melbourne than the Swans, GWS, Lions and GC Suns are in the northern part of Australia.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Nothings burning me mate it’s a great day. The day after Melbourne truly embraced origin. Place was on fire last night. Stew in your misery clump. Just keep writing about the game you despise so much!
clipper
Guest
Melbourne people will always watch an event. Lets see what crowds and viewers they get for the Storm this week - remember, and this burns you, that they still can't get a bigger average than the worst performing AFL side there - even after all these winning years.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Last night burned you badly clump didn’t it? 366000 Melbourne viewers? You must be ever so thrilled! Hahahaha
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
By the way clipper a couple of things. 1. The nrl is outrating afl this year by just under 50% on STV; 2. State of origin attracted 3.54 million viewers last night. Massive ratings and yes people do exist outside the 5 metro areas; and 3.when it comes to ratings you are mathematically challenged! Kind regards as always Bussy!
clipper
Guest
just like the key words when mentioning the NFL is the biggest game is 'in America'
GoGWS
Roar Guru
I think it’s more accurate to say that WA invented the origin concept, not Victorians... the whole ‘origin’ idea was to redress the longstanding inequity of WA born-bred players showing up at interstate carnivals playing for the big V. In its genesis State of Origin is actually an ‘anti-Victorian’ idea. The first origin game was at Subiaco oval in the 1970s (‘76 or ‘79) and it was a massive crowd and hugely popular all through the 70s and 80s up to the introduction of West Coast Eagles. Adelaide Crows etc. Rugby League copied the concept and it has been a longer term success for various reasons. Good for the NRL.
KenW
Guest
ANZ is a multi-purpose stadium, neither rectangular nor a true oval. You don't have to like it, there's plenty of valid reasons not to, but it very clearly does not have the same configuration problem as the MCG. For a 20 year old stadium it actually has chalked up historic moments at a pretty amazing rate too just quietly.
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
"It always amuses me how kicking goals in NRL requires so much preparation and posturing" -- because they aint punt kicks they're Place kicks and Drop kicks -- a tiny little bit harder and requiring more skill than a punt - we do occasionally punt kick -- ya know close in grubbers and high bombs with giant men trying to murder you if you dont take it cleanly a bit different and a lot harder than the up and down again victorian footy -- what skill is that ? pretty ordinary again and again but i suppose it looks good to someone who never played contact sport in their life ?
Molly
Guest
Mate, when are you gunna return my leather jacket?
In Brief
Guest
Does anyone trust TV ratings? I've never been surveyed and don't watch most of the 'most watched shows'. I just don't believe you can extrapolate from a small group. Seems like a massive con to me. Only ratings I trust are Foxtel as they are linked to the actual viewer.
Kurt
Guest
key words in that phrase 'in australia'