NSW Blues drama proves State of Origin camps don’t need to be so long

DAVID RICCIO: Why do the world’s best players need 10 days to prepare for a game which is a guaranteed sellout and the most-watched show of the year?

Do players have too much time on their hands before Origin? (AAP Image/David Moir)

BEFORE last year’s NRL grand final, the Melbourne Storm had seven days to prepare to take on Cronulla.

The Sharks? They had eight days.

The NRL marketing team had the same amount of time to whip Sydney into a frenzy, ensuring ANZ Stadium was sold out and ultimately, the biggest city audience watched the final game of the season on television.

So, why on earth do the world’s best players need 10 days to prepare for a State of Origin game which is a guaranteed sellout and the most-watched TV show of the year?

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Do players have too much time on their hands before Origin? (AAP Image/David Moir)

If you’re looking for one reason — and only the one reason because in no way am I excusing it — why Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson decided to sink schooners over lunch on the last Friday before Origin III, the over exaggerated build-up asked of the players in Origin camp, is an undeniable factor.

I know it’s an issue the NRL should review because I’ve witnessed the at-times boredom of players first hand, having spent the past four series covering each Blues camp.

The 10-day build-up is an antiquated schedule inherited from a time when it actually held value.

In the 1980s, when Origin needed to be sold, the 10-day Origin camps were used as much for bonding sessions and training as they were to use ensure every little boy and girl was aware of mate versus mate, hate versus hate.

Each day was about spiking ticket sales and generating interest with players giving interviews on radio, print and television.

Every day meant something.

Training sessions were held at local footy ovals, open and free for the public to attend.

On other days, sponsors were allowed to have BBQ lunches with the players. Those days are gone.

Origin matches are all but sold out and TV ratings won, before the series begins.

Players are placed on media bans and the morning interviews given each day of camp with two selected players from the team are considered “old news” by lunch time.

The NRL, NSWRL and QRL have allowed each day before Origin to become a box-ticking exercise.

The NRL should overhaul the preparation of the Blues and Maroons, well aware seven days is ample time for the players to prepare for Origin.

It’s good enough for a grand final — a prize considered superior in the eyes of most players.

Breaking it down, if you had to dissolve the Blues’ entire 10-day preparation for Origin III, you would see there are just two legitimate training sessions; the Saturday and Sunday before Wednesday’s game.

Laurie Daley has to keep his players active and focused. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

The first Monday is for the players to arrive in camp and recover from their weekend matches.

Tuesday is “media day”.

Wednesday is a “walk through” of the game plan — where players literally walk on the field.

Thursday is weights and video.

Friday is the players’ day off.

Saturday and Sunday are serious ballwork sessions.

Monday is another day off and Tuesday for the big game consists of a 15-minute captain’s run.

There is no further proof that the 10-day build-up is no longer necessary than the actions of the NSWRL itself.

In Sydney, before Origin II, members of the NSW team were allowed to break camp on the weekend and return to their own beds, catching up with their family and friends.

There’s no clearer admission that 10 days is too long to prepare for a game of football.

Originally published as NSW Blues drama proves State of Origin camps don’t need to be so long