Bulldogs Bite: State of Origin being ruined by politically correct goody-two-shoes players
State of Origin has become a game for choir boys, with no hate left among players. It’s time to bring back the taunting, baiting, and flare-ups, writes Dean Ritchie. WARNING NUDITY
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This is a game for choir boys.
All we will get is politically correct, don’t-upset-the-enemy, cliche ridden goody-two-shoes who feel a need to be banal and benign in front of the media.
Where have all the villains gone in State of Origin?
There’s no hate left among players with the event often dubbed Australian sport’s greatest rivalry mellowing into a gentle love-in.
I genuinely fear Origin’s radiance will dim unless players and coaches start to initiate the odd flare-up.
Jake, Chez, Billy and Madge – captains and coaches from both states – will perform their mandatory media requirements but none want to taunt, bait or hate.
The contemporary player doesn’t harbour any Origin rage. It’s all smiles, all-round, all year. It’s not a crime to be controversial.
No-one, it would seem, has replaced Paul Gallen as Origin’s chief antagonist since his retirement in 2016.
So here’s a crash course for today’s players in what has been said over the years to promote, stimulate and spark State of Origin.
Tom Raudonikis: “I’ve always hated Queensland – it’s on for young and old.”
Paul Gallen: “I enjoy getting up there (to Brisbane) and listening to the two-heads give it to you.”
Wally Lewis: “For NSW, it was a waste of f…ing time playing Queensland for decades and then I hear Gallen joking about the two-headed people up north.”
Ben Elias: “I can’t believe how big-headed Queensland has become. They are arrogant and smug.”
Willie Mason: “They’re going to have 65,000 nutbag, redneck Queensland supporters supporting them and going mad and hating us.”
Ricky Stuart: “To be honest, I’ve had a gutful of Queensland’s smugness and their fake graciousness in victory.”
Mal Meninga: “The team (Queensland) once again stands triumphant, their success hiding the filth and rats that continue to linger in the sewers and dark corners.”
Blake Ferguson: “Don’t you (Josh McGuire) ever say that shit again or I will f...ing drop ya.”
Johnathan Thurston: “I just let ‘Pearcey’ (Mitchell Pearce) know he should probably get a photo with Wally’s statue because that’s the closest he was going to get to holding the shield.”
Max Krilich: “Honestly, you (Maroons hooker John Dowling) could haunt houses for a living.”
Greg Bird: “I can’t stand that Queenslanders think (Origin) means more to them. That’s what makes me angry.”
Paul Vautin: “We hated NSW, I can tell you. The hate was real, back in the ‘80s. We felt that they thought we were never good enough for them.”
Stuart again: “Queenslanders only need to see someone eating a banana and they try and claim him.”
Mark Carroll: “If Queensland score first we’re in a lot of trouble – 50,000 maggots up there will go crazy.”
Sam Backo: “It was f…ing hard out there.”
Greg Alexander: “Anyone who says Queensland cares more about the jersey is talking absolute garbage.”
Phil Gould: “I don’t think we’ll ever be as together as a state around Origin as Queensland is. I say it regularly, Origin is about Queensland.”
Laurie Daley: “We won’t be bullied or intimidated.”
Chris Close: “Gus Gould always had the gall, whenever he got an opportunity, to question the Queensland spirit. At times he called it a myth, it didn’t exist, those things really stuck (with me).”
Tim Brasher: “They all hate you. It’s pretty cool.”
Thurston again: “I think Victorians hate New South Wales as much as Queenslanders.”
David Klemmer: “You (Cam Smith) are a has-been.”
Gallen again: “We have been used to their grubby tactics for years now.”
Close again: “They (NSW) had an air of arrogance about them, they treated us with disdain. I can give you a million reasons why we hate New South Wales.”
James Maloney: “We couldn’t care less what Queensland are doing.”
Cameron Munster: “We just gotta f…ing hold the ball.”
Bob Fulton: “Rugby league’s non-event of the century will be staged in Brisbane next month, a totally useless State of Origin clash.”
Ron Casey: “To the Queensland hillbillies in Premier Joh’s Bananaland, the (inaugural) State of Origin match might be a big deal, but to those in the land of the living, here in Sydney, it’s just another match without much meaning.”
Aaron Woods: “We’ll be happy enough to give it to him (Brent Tate) in game two.”
Elias again: “Queensland will do anything they can to win. They will steal players from anywhere and everywhere.”
Steve Mortimer: “When we get to the hotel everybody at reception will hate you. The people who clean your rooms will hate you. People in the street will hate you because you’re from NSW.“
And Gallen once again: “It gets boring hearing Queensland always talking about themselves and how they hate us. I feel the same way, times a thousand.”
And the final insult goes to your humble columnist who breathtakingly proclaimed in 2020: “This is the worst Queensland team in history.”
Daly Cherry-Evans: “On behalf of the worst ever Queensland team, thank you very much.”
Ahhh, can we bring back the good ol’ days? Please?
DOG TREATS
Warrington fullback Stefan Ratchford’s fans showed plenty of cheek in a Super League match last week.
As Ratchford lined up a kick at goal, one Wire fan decided to show off a full moon, the naughty moment captured by the Sky Sports cameras.
He missed the kick. What a bummer.
*****
The rumour is becoming stronger that a high-profile star will be given an early release from his contract this year.
*****
The possible and much-discussed coaching reunion of Wayne Bennett and Sam Burgess at South Sydney could now be delayed.
Burgess signed a two-year deal with English club Warrington with many expecting him to return to Australia, and possibly Souths, after the 2025 season.
Bulldog’s Bite can reveal Warrington management now wants to open immediate discussions about Burgess extending for another season.
That would mean Burgess wouldn’t be back in Sydney until the start of 2027 – the final year of Bennett’s three-year deal at Maroubra.
Warrington has won nine of 12 games this season to sit equal first in Super League.
*****
Which former NRL club CEO has stunned friends with a shock revelation about his private life?
*****
The fighter who knocked out former NRL star Tevita Pangai Junior in 69 seconds is Aussie boxing’s version of Rocky.
Last year Kenny Niko combined his boxing career with rugby, running around at number 8 with the Western Sydney Two Blues third grade side.
His pro career started with three losses – the first by knock out – before he faced high-profile opponent Pangai.
“I finally got the win in the fourth fight against a big name like that,” Niko said. “It was a long time coming and I was really happy.”
*****
Knights star Kalyn Ponga is due back from a foot injury in round 22.
Any chance of an early return appears unlikely given he was spotted last week at a Newcastle cafe with his foot still in a moon boot.
*****
Which two players were lucky to escape scrutiny – and possible punishment – for filming a social media victory message after a win last week?
Both players loudly used the f… bomb in a four second clip which didn’t do themselves, nor the club, any favours. One of the players is renowned for his off-field behaviour.
*****
Only twice previously has rival State of Origin captains come from the same club after Manly’s Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans were named to lead their respective states.
It happened in 1999-2000 when the Roosters supplied Brad Fittler and Adrian Lam and again between 1992 and 1994 when Canberra pair Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley were Origin skippers.
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