Origins a drag on the Comp

[BadnMean]

Most people outside of Australia have never even heard of QLD, let alone origin.

I think the Great Barrier Reef would be the one thing anyone else in the world would be able to name from Queensland, even if they didn't know the name of the state.

I think the Maroons help QLD's with their personal inferiority complex.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Origin transcends the sport and has cut through into AFL states, something no other RL event really does except maybe the GF. So a state based team is well known and watched around Australia.

Origin is big in NZ, PNG and the wider Pacific. Origin is big within RL communities in England and the Lions Union players were all keen to catch a game which means they have heard of it and probably watch it, so it's know in some Union circles also.

I would argue that most neutrals would follow QLD simply because we are the natural underdogs in the contest, smaller population, less players, less NRL clubs. As Gus Gould always says, Origin is all about QLD. If we were getting beaten every year, which really we should be, the concept would be nothing.

I would argue that Origin didn't put NSW on the map, I think there are many other things that did that.

The Maroons are our 'national team' and whenever someone thinks of QLD in a sporting context it is the Maroons they think of.

My point moreso is that it put us on the map in the context of Australia and the wider Pacific. What does that mean? The team is synonymous with the State and it brings pride and identity to the people of the state. Billy Slater isn't just paying lip service when he says this is Queenslands team.

I live in the UK and most people haven’t heard about SOO expect for league die hard or ex pats. Mostly because the game is played at 11am on a Wednesday. I understand the reasons why that is the case, but it isn’t conducive to gaining widespread popularity.

 

[Wb1234]

Queensland’s Origin win biggest streaming event in Australian history

The NSW v Queensland game three decider broke a record held by the Matildas for the number of people watching through their TV app.

www.afr.com

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I live in the UK and most people haven’t heard about SOO expect for league die hard or ex pats. Mostly because the game is played at 11am on a Wednesday. I understand the reasons why that is the case, but it isn’t conducive to gaining widespread popularity.

Hence why I said it is well known within RL communities in England... want to read it again?

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I think the Great Barrier Reef would be the one thing anyone else in the world would be able to name from Queensland, even if they didn't know the name of the state.

I think the Maroons help QLD's with their personal inferiority complex.

Loving the salt mate, keep it coming. I did mention 'from a sporting perspective' not sure which sport the Great Barrier Reef plays.

Definitely the little brother thing drives QLD for sure. But I think the problem in Origin is that NSW have an unwarranted superiority complex.

 

[Reflector]

Origin transcends the sport and has cut through into AFL states, something no other RL event really does except maybe the GF. So a state based team is well known and watched around Australia.

Origin is big in NZ, PNG and the wider Pacific. Origin is big within RL communities in England and the Lions Union players were all keen to catch a game which means they have heard of it and probably watch it, so it's know in some Union circles also.

I would argue that most neutrals would follow QLD simply because we are the natural underdogs in the contest, smaller population, less players, less NRL clubs. As Gus Gould always says, Origin is all about QLD. If we were getting beaten every year, which really we should be, the concept would be nothing.

I would argue that Origin didn't put NSW on the map, I think there are many other things that did that.

The Maroons are our 'national team' and whenever someone thinks of QLD in a sporting context it is the Maroons they think of.

My point moreso is that it put us on the map in the context of Australia and the wider Pacific. What does that mean? The team is synonymous with the State and it brings pride and identity to the people of the state. Billy Slater isn't just paying lip service when he says this is Queenslands team.

I'd agree regarding the appeal of Origin in the AFL states (part of the reason the series now has a game in the expansion states annually). People like myself (and OP I'd gather) don't want to kill the golden goose, rather are looking at how the game is expanding and how Origin can be changed moving forward to minimise the negative impact it has on the rest of the competition. As somebody else said in this thread already: if 20 years from now Origin is still the pinnacle of the game, then expansion of the game in Australia and the Pacific has been for nothing.

But this idea that Qld "should" be getting beaten every year has more to do with a narrative perpetuated by the Qld media than with reality. Having spent a number of years in Qld myself over the years, I know first-hand how the media operates up there. Those Maroons teams during the Wally Lewis era and the 2006-16 squads would win their share of games/ silverware in any era of the game. But the media knows that nothing sells like perpetuating this view of Qld as the perennial battlers fighting for the little guy, with the entire world stacked against them. It's something you can't fully appreciate unless you spend time up there and see how they cover events, especially around Origin time.

Regarding neutral support for Qld, I've found it varies. In Melbourne the majority of support leans towards the Maroons (the Storm connection and this weird Sydney complex Melbournians have plays its part). But in Perth it definitely swings more towards NSW, and I'd expect this to become more pronounced with the coming Bears connection.

 

[Wb1234]

I'd agree regarding the appeal of Origin in the AFL states (part of the reason the series now has a game in the expansion states annually). People like myself (and OP I'd gather) don't want to kill the golden goose, rather are looking at how the game is expanding and how Origin can be changed moving forward to minimise the negative impact it has on the rest of the competition. As somebody else said in this thread already: if 20 years from now Origin is still the pinnacle of the game, then expansion of the game in Australia and the Pacific has been for nothing.

But this idea that Qld "should" be getting beaten every year has more to do with a narrative perpetuated by the Qld media than with reality. Having spent a number of years in Qld myself over the years, I know first-hand how the media operates up there. Those Maroons teams during the Wally Lewis era and the 2006-16 squads would win their share of games/ silverware in any era of the game. But the media knows that nothing sells like perpetuating this view of Qld as the perennial battlers fighting for the little guy, with the entire world stacked against them. It's something you can't fully appreciate unless you spend time up there and see how they cover events, especially around Origin time.

Regarding neutral support for Qld, I've found it varies. In Melbourne the majority of support leans towards the Maroons (the Storm connection and this weird Sydney complex Melbournians have plays its part). But in Perth it definitely swings more towards NSW, and I'd expect this to become more pronounced with the coming Bears connection.

10 nsw clubs v 4 qld ones

Population base 8 million v 5 million

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I'd agree regarding the appeal of Origin in the AFL states (part of the reason the series now has a game in the expansion states annually). People like myself (and OP I'd gather) don't want to kill the golden goose, rather are looking at how the game is expanding and how Origin can be changed moving forward to minimise the negative impact it has on the rest of the competition. As somebody else said in this thread already: if 20 years from now Origin is still the pinnacle of the game, then expansion of the game in Australia and the Pacific has been for nothing.

But this idea that Qld "should" be getting beaten every year has more to do with a narrative perpetuated by the Qld media than with reality. Having spent a number of years in Qld myself over the years, I know first-hand how the media operates up there. Those Maroons teams during the Wally Lewis era and the 2006-16 squads would win their share of games/ silverware in any era of the game. But the media knows that nothing sells like perpetuating this view of Qld as the perennial battlers fighting for the little guy, with the entire world stacked against them. It's something you can't fully appreciate unless you spend time up there and see how they cover events, especially around Origin time.

Regarding neutral support for Qld, I've found it varies. In Melbourne the majority of support leans towards the Maroons (the Storm connection and this weird Sydney complex Melbournians have plays its part). But in Perth it definitely swings more towards NSW, and I'd expect this to become more pronounced with the coming Bears connection.

The perennial underdog tag that Queensland has stems from population, playing stocks, number of NRL clubs. This year, on paper, we'd be lucky to have four players even make the Blues side (Munster, Grant, Carrigan and Tino). Most years it's about the same, then you have the real tough years like 2020 and 1995 where we struggle to scrape together an NRL level side, let alone a rep side.

Honestly, this Panthers dominated NSW side should have just wrapped up their 8th straight series this year. You've had the better side since 2018. Thats not a media beat up, it's just reality, NSW should be utterly dominating Origin like the Kangaroos do the Kiwis, win most of the time with an upset sprinkled in every now and then... But NSW don't and that's why Origin is magical.

Agree on expansion. NRL need to take the current potential of the international game and really run with it, no more false dawns. Pacific has good investment now, let's help England, let's invest in Wales and France and we could have a 16 nation world cup (amongst other tournaments) that is interesting, competitive and profitable.

 

[Wb1234]

With the dolphins and eventually Ipswich nrl side plus population boom in qld origin will always remain the pinnacle

People who are embarrassed about this can choke on it

Numbers don’t lie

Until an international gets close to 4 million watching it then it’s no contest

And origin has the potential to go to five mlllion if Fox are allowed to stream games with nine

 

[The Axe of Druss]

10 nsw clubs v 4 qld ones

Population base 8 million v 5 million

Those numbers mean little when its 17 v 17

Just look at how Australia performs on the Olympic stage.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

I'd agree regarding the appeal of Origin in the AFL states (part of the reason the series now has a game in the expansion states annually). People like myself (and OP I'd gather) don't want to kill the golden goose, rather are looking at how the game is expanding and how Origin can be changed moving forward to minimise the negative impact it has on the rest of the competition. As somebody else said in this thread already: if 20 years from now Origin is still the pinnacle of the game, then expansion of the game in Australia and the Pacific has been for nothing.

But this idea that Qld "should" be getting beaten every year has more to do with a narrative perpetuated by the Qld media than with reality. Having spent a number of years in Qld myself over the years, I know first-hand how the media operates up there. Those Maroons teams during the Wally Lewis era and the 2006-16 squads would win their share of games/ silverware in any era of the game. But the media knows that nothing sells like perpetuating this view of Qld as the perennial battlers fighting for the little guy, with the entire world stacked against them. It's something you can't fully appreciate unless you spend time up there and see how they cover events, especially around Origin time.

Regarding neutral support for Qld, I've found it varies. In Melbourne the majority of support leans towards the Maroons (the Storm connection and this weird Sydney complex Melbournians have plays its part). But in Perth it definitely swings more towards NSW, and I'd expect this to become more pronounced with the coming Bears connection.

Agreed. I've been in Queensland for the past 2 weeks and this is my first time being here during the Origin period. I see maroons gear everywhere I go, far more than Broncos or Dolphins gear. My nieces tell me stories about how obsessed their classmates are with Origin and they're at an all girls school.

In NZ most people jumped on the Qld bandwagon when I was growing up, even though Wally Lewis was an absolute arrogant villain who terrorized us in the test matches and they had the far more dislikeable players (Bella, Hancock, Shearer, Gee, Kerrod Walters). A lot of that has to do with the fact Sir Graham Lowe coached them in 91-92. The modern generation jumps on that same bandwagon probably because a good chunk of their squad come from NZ. I supported NSW growing up as my favourite players played for them (Daley, Stuart, Clyde), and rooted against Big Mal, S. Walters etc. Now I don't care who wins as NSW doesn't select many Raiders, and I concentrate on supporting Canberra and the Kiwis.

 

[T-Boon]

what origin needs is for NSW to do something really dirty against Queensland (off the field) thusly embracing the villain role.
NSW has always just been simp - like a groom on a wedding day allowing the bride to be the glorified one.
NSW will never be the loved underdogs so let's be the putrid villains.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

With the dolphins and eventually Ipswich nrl side plus population boom in qld origin will always remain the pinnacle

People who are embarrassed about this can choke on it

Numbers don’t lie

Until an international gets close to 4 million watching it then it’s no contest

And origin has the potential to go to five mlllion if Fox are allowed to stream games with nine

Agree with this mate. I want the international game to grow and grow big, but Aus v NZ or Eng or Tonga or Samoa is never going to rate 4M and capture the imagination of the public like Origin does.

International RL does rate very well and can improve, but I want both and Origin will always be special. Even when the league has Victorians, WA, NZ, PNG, Fiji, Tongans, Samoan, and English players in the NRL, all not eligible, it will still be special as a celebration of the roots of the game in Australia. And let's face it, NSW and QLD will always produce players that are amongst the best in the game.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Those numbers mean little when its 17 v 17

Just look at how Australia performs on the Olympic stage.

Australian overperforms because we have elite sport funding and coaching. When that elite sport funding and coaching is matched or bettered we get beaten (USA, China, Russia amongst others).

NSW and QLD receive the same level elite coaching, development and exposure, so all things being equal, the side with the deeper playing pool should have the edge.

 

[Reflector]

The perennial underdog tag that Queensland has stems from population, playing stocks, number of NRL clubs. This year, on paper, we'd be lucky to have four players even make the Blues side (Munster, Grant, Carrigan and Tino). Most years it's about the same, then you have the real tough years like 2020 and 1995 where we struggle to scrape together an NRL level side, let alone a rep side.

Honestly, this Panthers dominated NSW side should have just wrapped up their 8th straight series this year. You've had the better side since 2018. Thats not a media beat up, it's just reality, NSW should be utterly dominating Origin like the Kangaroos do the Kiwis, win most of the time with an upset sprinkled in every now and then... But NSW don't and that's why Origin is magical.

Agree on expansion. NRL need to take the current potential of the international game and really run with it, no more false dawns. Pacific has good investment now, let's help England, let's invest in Wales and France and we could have a 16 nation world cup (amongst other tournaments) that is interesting, competitive and profitable.

Logically speaking the Broncos should dominate the NRL near every year- richest club in the comp, highest membership numbers, biggest talent pool to draw from, best TPA's to attract/ keep key players, massive drawcard for Qld players who want to stay fairly close to family and friends.

And yet they're closing in on 20 years without adding to their premiership tally. Coincidentally or not, their glory years all happened when the same man (Wayne Bennett) was at the helm. In an alternate universe where COVID doesn't happen and Kevin Walters is still Maroons coach, I'd tip NSW to win the 2020 series and (ultimately) make it 4 series wins in a row, possibly 5 if Tupou didn't f**k up the most simple kick return in the 2022 decider. On the one hand Bennett wouldn't have gone anywhere near that squad if it really was the worst Qld team ever. On the other hand, you can't underestimate what a huge difference the right coach and setup has to the success of a team. As Jack Gibson said: winning starts at the front office.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Logically speaking the Broncos should dominate the NRL near every year- richest club in the comp, highest membership numbers, biggest talent pool to draw from, best TPA's to attract/ keep key players, massive drawcard for Qld players who want to stay fairly close to family and friends.

And yet they're closing in on 20 years without adding to their premiership tally. Coincidentally or not, their glory years all happened when the same man (Wayne Bennett) was at the helm. In an alternate universe where COVID doesn't happen and Kevin Walters is still Maroons coach, I'd tip NSW to win the 2020 series and (ultimately) make it 4 series wins in a row, possibly 5 if Tupou didn't f**k up the most simple kick return in the 2022 decider. On the one hand Bennett wouldn't have gone anywhere near that squad if it really was the worst Qld team ever. On the other hand, you can't underestimate what a huge difference the right coach and setup has to the success of a team. As Jack Gibson said: winning starts at the front office.

Can't disagree about the Broncos, massive underachievers... but so are NSW.

I'd take a good look at the two squads from 2020 and 1995 and 2025 and most years outside of the 8 in a row

 

[Desert Qlder]

2017 is criminally overlooked for heroic Queensland victories. It was supposed to be the end of the dynasty, but instead a raft of great Queensland stories got to play out in all their glory.

Queensland were comprehensively thrashed in game 1 at Lang Park. So Kevin Walters swung the axe on Myles, Lillyman, and Thaiday. Big calls on some serious warhorses.

At that point, the NSW media declared the dynasty was over. It was supposed to be an ignominious end, but instead they passed the torch while going out on top.

Thurston’s Game II performance is legendary — and was his last Origin ever. Played with a busted shoulder, barely able to lift his arm to make a tackle and still kicked the matchwinner from the sideline. Dragged them to victory.

We’re never going to be beaten back on home turf. Turned into a domination. Proved everything about Queensland is built on culture, in addition to sheer talent. Munster got a nice coming out party to boot.

Amazing series win, right up there.