RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS:
| Solving the State of Origin ‘problem’ | ||
| Written by: Azkatro (Panthers) | ||
| February 7th 2010 12:03 AM | ||
I have the answer. My solution would allow for all NRL rounds to be played without interruption, and without the inconvenience of having to rest the top players. They would be able to continue to turn out for their club every week. It also doesn’t involve putting the NRL on hold for a full weekend. What is this solution, I hear you ask? Simple. Decide the State of Origin series using modern fantasy competitions. That’s right, at the beginning of the season the ARL nominates three rounds during which Origin matches would be played. As the rounds approach, each of the NSWRL and QRL select their teams as per usual. Then, on the weekend of the “match”, the fantasy points of each player selected are accrued and combined to form their team’s total score. The team with the most points of course is the winner. Isn’t it brilliant? Instead of Origin players having to sit out club duties, they can effectively play their Origin games for their club! Perhaps they could wear a scarf or armband during the game to indicate which state they are playing for. Imagine Cameron Smith at Olympic Park, scooting out of dummy half more than ever with his maroon scarf flowing in the cold breeze behind him, as he does all he can to build his fantasy points for his state. Even if it is the fifth tackle and Melbourne are trailing by 20 points. It would bring a whole new dynamic to the NRL! Picture Darren Lockyer, making a break for the Broncos and looking for support as he comes to the opposition fullback. Peter Wallace to the left, and Sam Thaiday on his right. Who do you think he’s going to pass the ball to? It sure as heck isn’t going to be the bloke wearing the blue scarf! Just imagine the tension between the two as they stand either side of the ruck on the last tackle, screaming for the opportunity to kick it down field and gain a few fantasy points for their state! It’d probably come down to whether Aaron Gorrell, from Wollongong, was on the field or Andrew McCullough, the Dalby local! What exciting viewing it would make to see such an incredible level of drama and suspense between teammates! I can see the Rabbitohs now, pushing hard for a victory, before a fistfight breaks out between Mick Crocker with the maroon scarf and Craig Wing wearing the blue! Crocker would surely be outnumbered quickly by his South Sydney comrades in that one. This writer would love nothing more than to see a State of Origin fight taking place during an NRL game! And at the end of the weekend, the Origin players involved would attend a black tie dinner at ARL headquarters. During the evening, we would watch as each players’ fantasy points was announced to a keen audience. Surely this would make up for the TV ratings lost from not actually staging a separate game. In fact, I suspect the excitement of such a dinner would supersede the pantomime of an Origin match. Marvel at the thrills as Origin bolter Bryson Goodwin produces another top score! Enjoy the laughter from the room as Paul Gallen is revealed to have lost 20 points from conceding penalties! Imagine the smug look on Jarryd Hayne’s face as he cracks the epic 100 point barrier! Just writing about it is making my mouth water. This would surely be far more exciting and practical than wasting energy staging three completely separate matches for State of Origin. The sooner we make this change the better. It is time to usher in a new era of representative football. This is the 21st century, and technology is the order of the day. And let’s not kid ourselves; the NRL is more important than anything else in the world when it comes to rugby league. Why should it be made to suffer for the sake of a few meaningless representative fixtures? The time for fantasy State of Origin is NOW! __________________________________________________ 747 words. Liftoff! Posted in the F7s Matches forum in July 2009 The F7s is an article writing competition hosted on The Front Row forums here on LeagueUnlimited.com To join a team, click on the banner below  FOR ALL F7s MATCHES, CLICK HERE |
