Just finished a book by journalist Joe gorman called Heartland - How RL Explains Qld. Traces the history of RL in Qld from the bad old days pre-Origin to the end of 2015.
He documents how Qld always had more indigenous players and how that pulled the whole state together while, he argues, NSW kooris were never held in the same esteem south of the border. It was a murri boy's way out of the gutter and garnered respect not otherwise available in good old racist Qld.
Reckons this caused a lot of kooris to support Qld because a man's football ability was all that counted. Says that was the biggest factor when GI had to tick a box. Yes, his Storm mates played for Qld and that made it easier but the black perception was a big part of it.
Anyone able to comment on one way or the other?
Definitely worth a read. Qlders will get it and nod sagely, Blues will reject it en masse as more Qld bs I guess.
He documents how Qld always had more indigenous players and how that pulled the whole state together while, he argues, NSW kooris were never held in the same esteem south of the border. It was a murri boy's way out of the gutter and garnered respect not otherwise available in good old racist Qld.
Reckons this caused a lot of kooris to support Qld because a man's football ability was all that counted. Says that was the biggest factor when GI had to tick a box. Yes, his Storm mates played for Qld and that made it easier but the black perception was a big part of it.
Anyone able to comment on one way or the other?
Definitely worth a read. Qlders will get it and nod sagely, Blues will reject it en masse as more Qld bs I guess.
