I will address this QLD ‘agenda’ shortly.
By way of background, my own jaded origin experience begins with the one and only, Wally ‘The King’ Lewis. Wally always played with a scowl on his face which signified his hatred for NSW. Then, when The King retired, NSW built a core of players that would never, ever be pushed around again and went on to win 3 series in a row. Unfortunately, along came D. Lockyer who destroyed this dynasty with a different tactic, class.
Do not let the bronze smile fool you. This man is full of hatred.
Darren Lockyer is 9 parts class and 1 part alien. Aptly named, "The Black Prince" by my fellow blues supporters because he is the best our generation has seen, but born a Queenslander. This unfortunate geographical event hangs as a veil of darkness over all of his magnificence.
We've also had to put up with niggling pests like Justin Hodges, Michael Crocker, Andrew Gee and others of questionable character who hide behind the ‘battler’ label used by Queenslanders to protect their fabricated traditions. This, coupled with years of painful last minute comebacks, has hurt more than the cane toads could ever understand, but they continue to subscribe to the theory that the rivalry means more to QLD.
We’ve all suffered over the past 4 years.
Now that we’ve established the history behind my own Origin pain, back to the ‘agenda’. Across generations of Queensland fans and players, this lie is based on the suggestion that New South Welshman have never cared as much as their opposition and that QLD have more reason to win. QLD play for their jersey, their state, their families, sick children, poor people, the homeless, to cure disease and world hunger, to bring balance to the force, to save the whales and rainforests, and finally for world peace.
Throughout Origin’s rich history, we can see why they might believe this. It is passed down from generation to generation of Banana Benders who grow up believing that we Cockroaches represent some sort of corrupt, oppressive regime. Apparently, we once forced them to wear the Sky Blue jersey in a pre-origin era and that when this ‘slavery’ was finally lifted, QLD would seek revenge. What started as an ambush has evolved into a winning culture of lies.
Anyone remember this?
There is no way to evade this lie. No way to prove to the cane toads that the stories they were weaned on are littered with propaganda. Example: Chris ‘choppy’ Close carries an ironic arrogance and a fake belief that QLD will always be the hard luck story of Rugby League. If NSW win, the good guys have been cheated; if QLD win, justice prevails. Close is a high ranking spin doctor of the agenda as are the likes of Mal Meninga, Gorden Tallis, Greg Dowling and Bob Lindner…. They have all spat the same words of trickery and claptrap.
At this point I’d like to painfully admit that NSW do occasionally offer some ammunition to ‘choppy’ and associates. One recent example is former New South Wales greats Brett Kenny and Benny Elias: they opened the door for the ‘Black Prince’ to dominate the Blues by questioning his decision to play again this year. Why not just make a joke about his mum, Brett, rather than say he was past it? Elias’ offering was even worse, saying that Lockyer would struggle in this year’s series. This will unfortunately galvanise QLD for their 2010 origin tilt and make an even better case for the “agenda”.
So, what do we do about the agenda? Firstly, NSW players and fans must believe that it is a complete fabrication. We must use it as a reason to defeat the evil Queensland propaganda machine and motivate current and future NSW teams to understand they are custodians of a battle for truth. Secondly, we must win, and keep winning. It would be brilliantly satisfying if QLD were to continue believing the, “it’s your watch” motivational speeches and still come up empty.
We must fight hard to win back the trophy.
Finally, a tip for the NSW selectors; NRL form carries almost no bearing on origin form. This year, please help renew our own traditions by picking players that are resilient, aggressive and are not debutants. History tells us that nobody dominates origin on debut and most players who have been given a second chance perform better with experience. Nathan Hindmarsh’s first origin was forgettable, but he became an integral part of the Blues’ mid ‘noughties’ success. Anthony Watmough was sacrificed after a sputtering start to his representative career but when given a reprieve last year, was NSW’s best forward. We implore Bob Fulton and friends to have faith in players they have selected in recent series and don’t waste another year rebuilding. Even through your own ineptitude, you have already built a nucleus that is now origin ready.
Perhaps with a firm belief in our own traditions, a bit of luck and a good kicking game, NSW can regain some pride and put a stop to this horrific QLD domination. Then we can watch as Queenslanders reluctantly crawl back under their rocks; and listen as they grumble about referees and an NRL administration that conspired to beat them. In the end, we can enjoy the desperate utterances of their misplaced moral superiority complex as it continues forever.
Just like the success of State of Origin football.
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