State of Origin Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights

It’s the one State of Origin sticking point that has seen the game’s showpiece event on a sharp ratings decline for a decade. Buzz’s Origin highlights and lowlights.

Thousands of young fans are being denied the State of Origin experience. Picture: Damian Shaw

Phil Rothfield runs the rule over a State of Origin classic, revealing his highlights and lowlights in ‘Origin Buzz’.

HIGHLIGHT

The first sell-out for an Origin game in Sydney since pre-Covid in 2019. Blatchys Blues, 80,512 fans, wonderful atmosphere.

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Thousands of young fans are being denied the State of Origin experience. Picture: Damian Shaw

LOWLIGHT 

An 8.12pm kick-off is too late on a school night as has been proven by a sharp decline in TV ratings over the past 10 years. The match should start at 7.30pm, the same as grand finals.

SHOOSH 

Which NSW official had to tell Jarome Luai to turn down his boom box because the loud music was drowning out TV, radio and newspaper interviews in the lead-up to the game.

KLEIN II

There’s another Klein on the way. Ethan Klein, son of Origin referee Ash Klein, has been promoted to the NSWRL referees’ squad. Ethan refereed the recent SG Ball grand final and did well.

Ashley Klein’s (C) son is following in his father’s footsteps. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

NOT SPOTTED

NRL boss Andrew Abdo and NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden. Both watched from their lounge rooms at home, struck down by Covid.

SPOTTED

A couple of heavyweight politicians — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dom Perrottet — in the NRL suite. Albo had his partner Jodie and his son Nathan with him. In the bathroom at halftime, a punter bailed up Albo and the conversation went like this: ”are you someone famous?”, to which Albo replied: “well, yes, I’m the Prime Minister.” Also in the suite was Souths co-owner — the $20 billion man — Mike Cannon-Brookes.

SPOTTED

A nag called Queenslander started $3.80 favourite in the seventh race at Doomben on Wednesday. It finished unplaced.

SPOTTED 

Blues legend Garry Jack watching Origin from deep in enemy territory at The Caxton Hotel in Brisbane.

And, Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas watching from a pub in London, where he is covering the big races at Ascot.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm on Thursday night with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent, Brent Read, Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander, Blocker Roach and Billy Moore to discuss all the biggest issues from Origin.

Originally published as State of Origin Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights