Sydney told to sell out or lose State of Origin games

Sydney told to sell out or lose Origins

I wouldn’t really the know the pointy end of a football from the non-pointy end, but this story caught my eye, mainly on account of its implied absurdity.

Sydney is in danger of being stripped of State of Origin matches because of its inability to sell out ANZ Stadium. On the eve of another Sydney Origin match that is unlikely to be filled to capacity, fans have been warned of a push from Queensland for more games in Brisbane and of significant pressure to hold matches in Melbourne. ARL chief executive and NSWRL general manager Geoff Carr said yesterday that if NSW fans did not attend in greater numbers, Origin games would be taken away from Sydney following the end of the current agreement with ANZ Stadium in 2012.

“Origin” football is a best-of-three games, rugby league contest, between the two Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland. While I could understand (to a limited parochial degree naturally) a push to hold more of the games in Queensland, I don’t get the bit about Melbourne.

Melbourne, Victoria. That’s hardly league territory. That’s Australian football country. Need I say this, it’s not even an Origin state.

Sure the Melbourne Storm, a Victorian team, are defending league champions, but a fair chunk of their players would be from NSW and Queensland. Originally. Having just one team in the state seems scant reason to move the contest to Melbourne though.

Oh well, whatever I guess, my cappuccino is getting cold.

By the way NSW, or “The Blues” won last night’s opening match 18 to 10. Say what you will about Origin football, but it’s one game of football that isn’t over until the final whistle blows.