Ever seen the Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind? Basically, it’s about this guy undergoing some process whereby he attempts to erase a woman with whom he’d had something of a romantic tryst with, from his memory.
As I was watching this film I felt a remarkable sense of déjà vu. It suddenly dawned on me; this seemed to be the exact process the New South Wales Blues – and their fans – go through after each State of Origin series. All you have to do is replace ‘woman’ with ‘humiliation at the hands of the Maroons’.
Last year, after New South Wales put Queensland to the sword in Game 1 of the State of Origin series, Blues fans nationwide rejoiced. “It’s our time!” they yelled.
“This is the start of our dynasty”. Hands went up in celebration. Blues jerseys were salvaged from closets at attics around the state, having been discarded in an outburst of rage following yet another disappointment. This year was different. This was a new era!
Then they lost.
Boyd Cordner (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
A few weeks ago, the 2018 New South Wales team – dubbed the ‘baby Blues’ – opened their series campaign in impressive fashion once again, and were clinical in their defeat of the Maroons. Unbelievably, the same thing happened; a wave of euphoria swept across the state and relief rushed into the minds of Blues fans.
In the days following the victory, as I observed countless proclamations of hopeful anticipation in both the media and among fans, I thought – “Uh–oh”.
Don’t get me wrong – I too was hopeful. I dared myself to ponder a possible Blues victory. I opened my wardrobe and stared longingly at my 2006 Blues jersey, wondering if it would be acceptable to wear in public once again after the series was over.
I really wanted to be excited. One of the greatest thrills during my arduous career as a Blues fan was their win in 2014 following a nine-year drought. But the fact is optimism has time and again proven New South Wales’ biggest downfall.
I don’t understand the mechanics of sport psychology, nor do I pretend to have an insight into the inner workings of the Blues team or their culture. However, I often feel that after an impressive victory, when the trophy seems within their grasp, they imagine the hardest part to be over.
Then someone like Johnathan Thurston says “I don’t think so” and wins Game 2 with a busted shoulder, in the process causing Andrew Johns to have a meltdown on live television (rightfully so, mind you). What happens next is almost always the same: New South Wales panic, self-destruct and lose the Series. Cue outrage.
Andrew Johns getting stuck into the Blues (Channel 9 screenshot).
Sometimes it plays out in a manner bordering on satire, such as in 2015 when the Blues not only won Game 2, but in the aftermath waved off their rivals north of the border as being ‘too old’ and warned that the dynasty was over, sentiments which were echoed throughout the media.
Three weeks later Queensland risked manslaughter charges as they utterly and completely destroyed the Blues 52-6 in the decider.
Humiliation would be an understatement.
There was a moment during that game where Johnathan Thurston laughed in the face of Mitchell Pearce after yet another Maroons try. It was as symbolic a moment as any. It were as though their loss in Game 2 was a premeditated act, the intention of which was to allow New South Wales a brief glimpse of success, a shimmer of hope, before snatching it back in cruel fashion.
Professor Thurston and his colleagues taught the Blues a much-needed lesson that day.
Yet, if the reaction to Game 1 this year is anything to go by, it’s one they still haven’t learned.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be cheering for a New South Wales victory on Sunday night; but I’m not going to act like it’s a certainty.
Even though the Maroons have lost a few key players, they’re still Queenslanders. And if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that you can never write off a team of Queenslanders.
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