KEY POINTS:
State of Origin always brings out the best and worst in supporters, but it is interesting to note there is one sector who fight harder than the players. There is no lack of desire in wanting their state to win and they will use whatever is available in their armoury to influence or motivate their team. I am referring of course to the Australian media.
There is no love lost between the journalists from the two eastern states and they both love nothing more than having the combatants pulverise each other so their team is on the winning side of the ledger.
At the beginning of the campaign, these journos illustrate the merits of the respective teams and why they will win the series. In the case of New South Wales, they are maintaining it because of current form and the potential of players, like Jarryd Hayne, the young winger from Parramatta and Jarrod Mullen, the halfback from Newcastle who stepped in after the retirement of Andrew Johns.
There tends to be an air of arrogance from the respective journalists as to the quality of their team and why that team will win. The Queensland journalists are similar to their selectors and highlight loyalty and pride in the jersey built on the foundations laid by Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and the many who followed them.
I have been in the media room during State of Origin and the light banter at the beginning is lost very quickly, especially when the score is close and the game is going to the wire. To hear the raised voices and see the pumping of fists when their team scores or finally wins is quite frightening. It is evident that bragging rights is a highly sought-after prize.
There is a definite distinction in the way both sets of media promote their team and, when one team is down as in the present case of New South Wales, they use every motivating tool they can muster to seek revenge against the 'other mob'.
This week the NSW media have used ridicule against their team as motivation, and questioned the desire and willingness of certain players, highlighting their lack of aggression. They also indicated that heads should have rolled after the last defeat and have really placed pressure on the players to stand firm, especially on home ground.
The build-up has been quite savage towards the NSW players and quotes from the NSW selectors and coach have been slanted negatively to indicate players are on notice. In contrast, the Queensland press are again praising their team as motivation and it is clear that not only is there a war between the teams but the battle on the sidelines is just as vicious.
My hope that the outstanding spectacle we witnessed in the first game is not ruined with aggressive tactics resulting in emotional outbursts leading to fights or brawls. If the latter happens, it will be interesting to view how that same media report it.
