IBG proudly dons the colour of the Maroons for the first time as he takes a strong hit-up against the NSW defense...
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Operation: Fire Up Queensland
It was a cold winter's night in the heart of Queensland, but the goosebumps down my spine didn't have anything to do with the temperature, but rather what intentions I had in mind.
I was most definitely in enemy territory, even though I was 'one of them'.
Despite being born and bred in New South Wales my entire life, I have passionately supported the mighty Canetoads since I started to follow rugby league. I don't have family in Queensland, and I have no real ties to the state whatsoever.
But the reason I supported Queensland like it was my own home state was because of one player who captivated me every time he played.
That one player was the mighty Mal Meninga.
He was my childhood hero, and being a Raiders fan, I couldn't help but root for whatever team he played in, and it was his influence that developed my passion for the Maroons. Even when other Raiders players like Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart and Brad Clyde were selected in the New South Wales team year after year, I couldn't even force myself to cheer for them. It just wasn't the same.
But I tell you what, I've copped a lot of criticism in my life for going for Queensland. My family would label me as a traitor, my friends couldn't believe I'd go for the so-called enemy, and once I was even spat at while wearing my Queensland jersey on a train - although it may have been someone just taking out his gum, I'm not too sure, but let's just call him a dirty New South Welshman anyway and be done with it.
So with Queensland down in this series 1-0 and it has to be said, a lesser side on paper than the Blues, I knew something had to be done to make sure they were mentally prepared for the game on Wednesday evening.
I took things into my own hands, and I knew I had to do something extreme.
So there I was, standing outside Lang Park, at 3am in the morning with no one in sight. I looked up, and in front of me I saw the hallowed statue of 'The King' Wally Lewis.
I took a few deep breaths, before I proceeded to reassure myself as to what I was about to do.
"You're doing this for the right reasons. Queensland will thank you later" I whispered to myself. I just hoped I would be right.
I pulled out a can of blue paint as I closed my eyes and started to cover the statue with the colour I've come to despise over the years.
"If this was Mal, there's no way I'd be doing this, even for the benefit of Queensland" I said to myself, not meaning to disrespect the great Wally Lewis in any way, I was just trying to express my admiration of Big Mal.
When I was finished, I stepped back and marvelled at my piece of artwork, and I understood how Leonardo da Vinci would have felt after he completed the Mona Lisa.
As much as it pained me to see one of the greatest players to ever play the game be vandalised in such a manner, I knew that I was doing the right thing and that it was for the good of Queensland, even if no one would understand it just yet.
I turned to leave, but my worst nightmare came true.
In front of me stood a pack of Queensland supporters dressed in their traditional maroon jerseys, almost frothing at the mouth after witnessing me deface their shrine towards one of their - and my own - Origin heroes.
"No, it's... it's not what you think!" I said as I slowly walked backwards, raising my hands in innocence.
A burst of expletives then followed, the likes of which I had never heard before, and considering some of the family gatherings I've attended, that's a pretty mean feat.
"I'm a Queenslander! I'm on your side!" I pleaded with the group, but my attempts at convincing them were futile, as the pack closed in like a vulture on a carcass.
*BAM*
As I was down on the ground staring up at the night sky, I just hoped that my two black eyes and several cracked ribs would be worth it come kick-off on Wednesday night.
I had only one thing left to say.
"The things I do for my love of this game..."
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750 words including title
Picture source: ninemsn.com.au
Note: Most of the above article was written just before Origin yesterday. Oh, and the article is purely fictional ... maybe ...