Crash Craddock: How the AFL influenced State of Origin, Michael Maguire’s blues and the Queensland team of the week

As State of Origin celebrates its 45th year, Maroons great Wally Lewis has spotlighted a deeply buried fact of where the idea came from – Aussie rules.

As State of Origin celebrates its 45th anniversary, Wally Lewis has spotlighted a deeply buried fact of where the idea came from.

It’s part of State of Origin folklore that former QRL boss Ron McAuliffe repeatedly told ARL powerbrokers, “give us our best players back from Sydney and we will beat NSW.”

That may be the case but Lewis, on a just released Howie Games podcast, told broadcaster Mark Howard that the first thought of Origin came from watching its far less dam-busting progress in the AFL.

“They quite openly got it from the AFL,’’ Lewis told Howard of an era long before people stressed about copyrights in cook books, never mind football concepts.

“They studied what they had to do to make it a success. When it started in Game 1 in 1980 Suncorp Stadium was packed.”

Wally Lewis is carried from the field of Lang Park by Sam Backo (R) and Martin Bella after a win during the 1991 State of Origin series.

A quick fact check proves Lewis was right. Rugby league never sings it from the rooftops but the first AFL State of Origin match between Western Australia and Victoria was played on October 8, 1977 at Subiaco Oval in Perth.

The AFL concept was abandoned due to a general lack of passion for it in 1999.

Lewis spun many good yarns in the podcast and recalled the days before State of Origin when NSW players used to treat interstate football with contempt.

“Before State of Origin started many of the NSW players used to pull out of interstate games in case they got an injury and missed a club game. Most of the Sydney people wanted the end of interstate football. It was a pain in the arse (for them). They’d say “we thrash Queensland every year”.

Here we are, 45 years later and the beast is getting bigger than ever.

THE BALL AND CHAIN

Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire after the club’s loss to South Sydney. Picture: NRL Photos

Welcome to Brisbane Michael Maguire.

The pressures which have engulfed the Broncos coach after a so-so 5-5 start to the season underscore what a unique role it is. Win a few games and the Broncos get tipped as premiership material. Lose a few in a row and its inquest time.

There’s a theory that one of the reasons the Storm are so consistent is the lack of a fierce focus in Melbourne means they are never too high or low in the public’s eyes.

In three and a half decades only one man – Wayne Bennett – has truly handled the pressures of the Brisbane job because he actually thrived on them. Few do.

It used to be said of Bennett that a part of him didn’t mind it when his side had a shock loss because it meant they needed his guidance more. That’s a hard place to get to …

BEAU’S BLITZ

Beau Fermor is firming as a Maroons selection. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Don’t be surprised if Billy Slater finds room for Titans forward Beau Fermor in the first State of Origin squad.

Fermor has long been a player to watch and his ability to play back row and centre makes him an ideal bench weapon. If chosen this season Fermor could be the competition’s breakout star.

Slater has some thinking to do before settling on his team. Players like Cowboys anchorman Reuben Cotter have not been punching the lights out this season but will he, like so many Queensland forwards, find something extra in a Maroon jumper?

DOLLARS GALORE

It wasn’t that long ago that being a million dollar player was a rare and special thing and often carried its own ball and chain.

But rugby league’s expansion plans mean the game’s first two million dollar a player could be only a couple of seasons away with the Western Bears and Papua- New Guinea to trigger a free agent frenzy.

Our tip for that man – not now but by the time the 21-year-old reaches his mid-20s – is Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa.

It says a lot about Katoa that some of the game’s greatest playmakers like Andrew Johns are his biggest fans.

Originally published as Crash Craddock: How the AFL influenced State of Origin, Michael Maguire’s blues and the Queensland team of the week