NSW Independence Day looms

STATE of Origin matches are proof that the meek don't inherit anything.

Lauryn Mark

STATE of Origin matches are proof that the meek don't inherit anything.

These were the words from supercoach Jack Gibson that echoed through the NSW team bus as they made their way towards ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

The 10-minute bus ride from the Pullman Hotel at Sydney Olympic Park to the stadium for Origin II gave coach Ricky Stuart enough time to show an emotive DVD.

It was put together by Stuart's friend John Tassone and evoked the spirit of the 1985 NSW side, which presented the players their jumpers on Monday evening. Gibson's words were also part of the presentation used to fire up the Blues.

Indeed, Origin is no place for the meek, whether you are defending your tryline, trying to pull out a miracle last-gasp play or standing in the beer queue.

Has a tide finally turned with NSW's 16-12 win over Queensland?

When the Blues defeated the Maroons in game two last year, we all headed to Brisbane for the decider certain the time had apparently arrived to run a line under the Maroons' Origin dominance. Then Queensland led 24-0 after 20 minutes and it was clear that, no, the Maroons were not ready to bring their dynasty to a close.

With this in mind, you could understand if Blues fans are slightly circumspect about their chances now. We've been hurt before.

We've heard a few times now that NSW went into that decider feeling like their time had come. That victory was nigh.

You can bet Stuart and the rest of the coaching staff will ensure there will be none of that on July 4, the day that looms as NSW's own version of Independence Day.

BIRD OF THE KNIGHT

WHILE the Blues were doing their best in the middle of the field, former NSW enforcer Willie Mason was high up in the stands telling anyone who would listen that the Knights were after Greg Bird.

Mason was in the Legends Lounge and overheard saying the cleanout Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has instigated is to make way for Bird, a local junior from Maitland. Interestingly, Bird had flown to his home town after Origin I in Melbourne - although he is signed with the Titans until the end of next season and has told others he intends to re-sign with them.

JOSH ON VEER OF FEAR

ROBBIE Farah was named Players' Player after the Origin, but it could've so easily have been handed to centre Josh Morris. His defensive effort on Greg Inglis was one thing, but what about the beautiful in-and-away on the Maroons centre that enabled him to score the decisive try?

It was a fluke, Morris admits.

"I thought I would start running it around under the posts, but then I saw the big man coming from behind and I put a veer on very quickly," he laughed. "I shit myself pretty much."

CAVIAR'S DAWN PATROL

THIS column has the great privilege of sitting next to racing editor Raymond Thomas every day, but not right now. He is in England following every movement Black Caviar makes. Ray reports the mighty mare is essentially consigning the unbeaten Frankel to an afterthought for the English press. About a hundred local media are also attending trackwork at Newmarket by 4.30am, which is two hours ahead of when English trainers usually work their horses.

BATTLE OF BROOKVALE

THE Battle of Brookvale II will be on in earnest when the Sea Eagles host the Storm on the peninsula on Monday night.

The rematch comes amid board drama again with a bizarre push to oust one of the club's saviours in chairman and co-owner Scott Penn. Senior player Anthony Watmough has pleaded with the board's various factions to stop dragging their differences into the public light.

"It's a shitfight and it's not good to play it out in the media," he said. "If they did it behind closed doors it would be much better. The board should stop airing our dirty laundry in the media."

Not that it concerns the playing group. "Boardroom issues have been happening long before I was here, from the Northern Eagles days," he said. "We can't concern ourselves with that."

TRIPLE M A PLAYER

WE are hearing Triple M is about to become very serious about its rugby league coverage and will ramp things up when the next radio broadcast deal is done for next season. It has shown it is prepared to wade into the traditional Saturday afternoon market, dominated for decades by 2GB's Continuous Call Team, with The Offload.

The program features retired superstars Adam "Mad Dog" MacDougall, Gorden "Raging Bull" Tallis and Ryan "Girds" Girdler and can be heard from 1pm to 3pm this arvo.

It is essentially three funny blokes telling hilarious yarns and observations about footy.

Lauryn Mark

POLE POSITION AIDS LAURYN'S SHOT AT FAME

WOOOOOO woooooo wooooooooooooo ... You can stop thinking what you are thinking right now. This is not what it looks like.

This is actually shooter Lauryn Mark preparing for the London Olympics.

"I've been a closet pole dancer for a while now," says Mark, who is

married to Australian shooting legend Russell Mark.

"I think you need to be fit to be successful in life. In a mentally challenging sport like ours, it gives you a better edge. It makes you a healthier person as well."

So let's get this straight. In their downtime, our swimmers pose with guns. In their downtime, our shooters like to writhe up and down on poles.

Mark, 32, installed the pole into her Melbourne home after the birth of her first child.

"At the time my friend had started a pole fitness class, and I really loved it," she says. "I could put the kids and babies to bed and still get my gym workout and do my training at home."

Mark says pole dancing improved her core strength and arm muscles, vital when using her rifle for competition.

SAY WHAT

Will they finally be happy when men can only be photographed at a day spa carrying their designer chihuahua in a designer Louis Vuitton doggy handbag? – Renegade Federal MP Bob Katter wades into the debate about gun-tote’n swimmers Nick D’Arcy and Kenrick Monk.

I want to play Origin – Says Beale, via Twitter, in another gesture that will please ARU management.

We were just doing what young blokes do. We were playing a bit of pool and things escalated from there. – Yada yada yada, blah blah blah. Quade Cooper’s explanation on Fox Sports about his and Kurtley Beale’s altercation with the bouncers of a Brisbane pub.

CELEBRITY PUNTER

Geelong Cats legend and Centrebet ambassador Billy Brownless likes Gundy Son in the Eyeliner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich today. So load up, punters.

THE Q AND A COOPER VUNA - By day, he plays on the wing for the Wallabies. By night, he is a cuttingedge DJ.

What is your DJ name?

I go by the name of DJ CV. I’ve been going for two or three years now. It’s getting there.

I’ve seen on your Twitter account that you’re for a DJ for hire.

I take bookings pretty much now and then. Pretty much now. It’s just a matter of finding the time to do it. I’ve done a lot of corporate and private gigs. It’s also good to get out in the club scene and expose yourself a bit more.

Which clubs in Melbourne?

I’ve played at Jett Black in Greville Street. Played at CQ in the R’n’B room. A few other clubs. I’ve got a gig at Crown Casino coming up soon.

What type of tunes are we talking?

Mate, pretty much everything. R’n’B to house to commercial and top-40s and stuff. It depends on what people like to hear on the weekend. Whatever gets them pumping. I feed off that.

When I hit the clubs, I notice a lot of attractive girls near the DJ. Have you found that?

Ha! There’s a lot. My wife hates it. I guess it comes with the job.

Which of your Rebels teammates are the best dancers?

Danny Cipriani was always there, wherever I played. The boy can dance.

How does Adam Freier go?

He is the type with his back to the wall, standing around. He’s copied a few moves off (Rebels flanker) Luke Jones.

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