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.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
If they don't win this year they will never win. This Queensland side is the weakest since probably the early 2000's. Slater has not played for a month, Hunt and McCullough wont scare anyone. However Queensland will beat themselves they will make NSW earn it. Physically they were pretty good in Game 1. NSW need to own the big moments and they should in this game as they have the better players. But like you said, I will believe it when I see it.
Busty McCracken
Guest
I'm glad you are so confident, I'll remain cautiously optimistic myself to avoid another bitter disappointment. Don't get me wrong we played great hung in tough but it's a whole new game coming up. Apart from Maloneys 2 changers we had very few errors. Easier to keep momentum up when you're not making errors
Paul
Roar Guru
James, the issue isn't about the euphoric boasting and glee at a NSW win in game one, followed by a slide into a nervous kind of depression as Blues fans nervously worry about what Qld will do in game 2. The real issue is having so much time between SOO games to reach that nervous stage. After game one, NSW should have insisted the second game was played, say 3 days later. NSW fans would have still be in an adrenaline fuelled high while Qld supporters would be still be blaming the ref. What better time to play game 2 in Sydney? As it stands, the 3 million NSW fans who care, are wasting a load of nervous energy, while the entire state of Qld is working out ways to get even for game 1.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Actually, there was much between the 2 sides in game 1. A very young inexperienced team that lays 4 tries on any qld team says much, only let in 1 try that came from a set play. they'll only get better & that's what makes NSW even more dangerous. Kevin Walters is a nervous wreck and that's understandable. Yes, the difference between 2014 and now is the coach, and the entire team too..
Busty McCracken
Guest
I don't understand any train of thought that says they can't see how we could lose. There wasn't much between the two sides in game 1. The odds qld are paying are insane at the moment to have us out that far ahead. The difference between 2014 and now is the coach though. I love Laurie Daley but was never happy when he was announced as coach. Fred on the other hand I feel great about
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the read. I did mention in that last paragraph that the Maroons had lost some key talent, but that doesn't mean you can ever write them off. Go back to the very beginning of the current Queensland 'dynasty' - 2006. That year, on paper at least, the Queenslanders had a lineup which seemed greatly inferior to the Blues, and were also coming off three consecutive series losses. We all know what happened there. You highlighted that one mistake from Game 2 last year, and you're right, it was a pivotal moment in not just that match, but the entire series. It'll take just one mistake again this year for NSW to lose this series. Hopefully it doesn't happen though.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Hey mate, thanks for reading. Yeah, the future seems brighter than it has in some time, but in saying that I remember feeling the same kind of confidence after the Blues won the 2014 series. That being said, there's a great crop of young talent in the current lineup which should provide a level of consistency going forward that hasn't been seen in the NSW origin side for some time.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
yeah this article fails to highlight the huge difference in the teams last year and this year. it's different this year. And NSW made themselves lose that second game last year, had Hayne passed to Morris, the series would have been done. I just can't see NSW losing, there's just too much strike power across the park, strike power that can't be contained..
Busty McCracken
Guest
Amen brotha. I live in hope but have been burned way way to many times before. Even if we are to lose though I'll be looking into the future more certain than years gone by. Fred and his team full me with hope for the future.