Its tough being a NSW Origin supporter in Queensland, but not in the way that you might think. Ardent NSW fans don't mind being in the minority. We don't mind our team being outplayed on most occasions. We don't even resent being reminded of QLD's dominance over the last 5 years. What we find difficult is the complete lack of sensible discussion of origin football. In my search I perused the Courier Mail, a newspaper that dedicates more page space to Botox than Australian politics, in the unlikely event some intelligent comment might be uncovered. Alas, my instinct proved correct and I waded through countless fanboy cries and vague rhetoric. Apparently insightful analysis in the Courier Mail requires only the abundant use of the words "class", "dominant" and "whitewash", and the complete ignorance of the achievements of the vanquished. If I wanted to hear that rubbish I could just walk into the closest pub.
Is it so hard to discuss this objectively? What was it that set one team above the other. Who outplayed who and why? Even during the game you only get the occasional enlightening comment from the TV commentators. Seems the only place to hear real discussion is on ABC Grandstand radio. If you haven't listened to these guys dissect the football you've done yourself a great injustice. You'll never read the Courier Mail again!
But before you all roll your eyes I'll say well done QLD, a well deserved win. I don't feel NSW are as far off as they looked in Game 1, and if you wish to discuss this intelligently with me further I'm all ears!
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QUEEEEEEEENSLAND SUCKS!, NSW will be all class and dominate the next two games!. Really expecting the courier mail to discuss anything reasonable is asking for trouble. you would always try online at news.com.au then you can get NSW newspapers. could be worst, you could have to listen to 30 teenages tell you about how great QLD is, every min of the day
ReplyDeleteVenture south of the border and the problem is flipped 180 degrees. As a QLD supporter, I enjoyed listening to "talking sport" on 104.1 FM in the week leading up to game 1. Blues hosts talking to Blues supporters. The hosts build discussion on impartiality, but their personal stances creep in eventually.
ReplyDeleteYou could always try Roy and HG's commentary for game 2...
Unfortunately, I'm not even sure that ABC Grandstand provides real discussion anymore. I am very quickly getting over David Morrow tearing into players when they make a mistake, followed by a shocked pause and then Warren Ryan replying, "harsh, but fair". My personal opinion is that Queensland will only have grown up when they don't need to get all Neanderthal over an Origin victory.
ReplyDelete"when they don't need to get all Neanderthal over an Origin victory. "
ReplyDeleteMy theory is NSW are attempting to divest QLD of any thrill by making origin so predictably onesided.