Origin - Does It Still Grab You? - Eels Blogs

I will be watching Origin tonight. I have always watched Origin and I suspect I will continue to watch it. However, I must confess that I am not as passionate about it as I once was.I've been trying to work out why this is so.Could it be that Origin no longer contains the gladiatorial explosions of years gone by? When players truly played under a different set of rules to the NRL? You knew that someone was going to push the envelope and that all hell would break loose as you sat on the edge of your seat in anticipation. I never advocate violence in the game but there was always something about that Origin arena.Could it be that the standard of Origin football differs little from the NRL? Sure it's the "best against the best", but has that importance of winning eliminated the creativity that used to flow amongst the brutality in yesterday's games?Is the tribalism not quite the same for me? I'm a passionate Parra fan but I'm not sure that I have the same passion for the Blues. Sure I cheer for them, but a loss doesn't faze me in the slightest. Is that the difference between Queensland and New South Wales?Or finally, could it be that Parramatta has barely had a representative in recent years. When we have, I've been preoccupied with the player getting through the match unscathed. I know that I would watch Hayne play but my overriding thought would be "don't get hurt!"Anyway, I'll be tuning in. Interested but not passionate.

I, like you have found that in recent seasons i havent been able to get the origin fire burning. There are a number of reasons for this.
1. For the last few years Qld have been so dominant and whilst i admire their skills the same winner all the time becomes boring in anything.
2. The 24 hour news cycle means saturation marketing of the games which is now way over the top. We get origin talk in February FFS. Everytime Daley farts or Meninga blows his nose we hear about it. We constantly hear 10 second grabs in news bullitens with players spewing out pointless statements which i sure they dont ever understand.
3. All of the hype talk is meaningless as it cant be backed up on the field for fear of suspension.
4. IMO the NSW team has been full of over rated and underskilled players like Gallen, Bird and Farah none of whom could rank anywhere near their predecessors. ( unfortunately in most cases they are the best we have had available).
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE GAMES HAVE BE LARGELY MEDIOCRE AND FORGETABLE .

"I turned it off after the 'Captains Challenge' debacle. It was pretty clear what was happening. We can only imagine what was going through the players minds at that time. 6 again Storm. And another 6 again to the Storm. Fuck off."

"I stopped watching after 18-4. I saw the defence was horrendous. We haven't learnt much from the last season. Yes, it is just the first game. In the blink of an eye, we will be in August. A slow start is an inherent issue, and it looks like we…"

"From around the 45th minute to the 72nd minute Storm completed 17 sets to our 3 sets.
The score went from 18-4 to 46-4 in the 66th. Then Simmo was sin-binned.
It's a minor miracle only 6 points were conceded in the last 14 minutes with 12 men.…"

Replies

Mo June 17, 2015 at 4:33pm

The NRL became soft years ago, origin followed suit.
Bad Boy Bubby June 17, 2015 at 4:36pm

Doesn't phase me much either. I think it has a lot to do with the players not being able to release emotions and passion due to stupid rule changes. Bring back the biff, the game needs the contact element.
Ham Sammich June 17, 2015 at 4:37pm

I don't think it's any longer the best vs the best, that went with the Kiwis becoming the #1 team on the RLIF rankings. And now that Hayne's gone I don't think there's anyone outside of Thurston who will make you go WOW. There isn't anyone that will get the ball on half-time put in a grubber, regather and score, there's no one who will make an explosive kick return where they demolish the kick chasers. It's nothing more than a weekend game I can watch in the regular season.

If James Roberts was picked I'd be more interested. Should also allow Semi and Koroibete to play.
- My Bob > Ham Sammich June 17, 2015 at 7:04pm
  
  Sounds like you want Sandow to play.
Ken Stewart June 17, 2015 at 4:48pm

I, like you have found that in recent seasons i havent been able to get the origin fire burning. There are a number of reasons for this.
1. For the last few years Qld have been so dominant and whilst i admire their skills the same winner all the time becomes boring in anything.
2. The 24 hour news cycle means saturation marketing of the games which is now way over the top. We get origin talk in February FFS. Everytime Daley farts or Meninga blows his nose we hear about it. We constantly hear 10 second grabs in news bullitens with players spewing out pointless statements which i sure they dont ever understand.
3. All of the hype talk is meaningless as it cant be backed up on the field for fear of suspension.
4. IMO the NSW team has been full of over rated and underskilled players like Gallen, Bird and Farah none of whom could rank anywhere near their predecessors. ( unfortunately in most cases they are the best we have had available).
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE GAMES HAVE BE LARGELY MEDIOCRE AND FORGETABLE .
Tom Laios June 17, 2015 at 4:57pm

I've followed Origin since it's inception.I would have rather cut my slug off than miss a game.Now ,it's meh! Ever since the NRL management started trying to impress the "soccer mum" by showing how wimpy SOS can be ,the game has lost it's lustre.Think about it,if your kid's body type is suitable for league,do you really think making league soft will allow a 3 foot tall kid built like a bean pole to play league alongside a 100kg 6 foot tall polynesian kid?

The magical biffs that were part of Origin,Tamati vs Dowling,Geyer going toe to toe with Lewis,big Mal Meninga on the rampage.Now it has descended to a farce with some pushing and bitch slapping.
Zackaya June 17, 2015 at 4:59pm

I think its run by a few idiots.
- Carloeel > Zackaya June 17, 2015 at 5:03pm
  
  I stopped caring about origin mid 2000s . Lost it's allure . Mb now I am just too old to have energy for more than one football team ....especially with all the emotion parra drains from me lol
tele1 June 17, 2015 at 5:01pm

I always watch it

Does it grab me like it used to.....NO

Doesn't help that NSW does not have the genuine talent to compete with QLD

Not like the good old days

Say what you want NOTHING BEATS THE WALLY LEWIS ERA.....nothing comes close
DaEelz June 17, 2015 at 5:06pm

It's definitely lost its lustre. I still watch it but it isn't the same.

of 8

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

Origin - Does It Still Grab You?

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Hopgood 2 week ban,

My personal takeaways

1eE Modern day Eels team: Prop

Take Aways from the game

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Irony is Even Deader

Shark Attack..... Moses told to be wary of the surf!

Poppa's Dilemma, Welcome to my Corner, come in and have a Cuppa with a Silly Old Bastard. I think it's New Year Shortly?

Keaon done deal

Note: this page contains paid content.