State of Origin: The 10 players that will light up the MCG on Wednesday night

Like a confused dog tilting their head to one side, Origin perplexes Melbourne, writes DEAN RITCHIE, but even the most strident AFL fan will enjoy watching these 10 entertainers.

Hell is gone and heaven’s here,

There’s nothing left for you to fear,

You’re my rock of empathy, my dear,

So come on, let me entertain you.

Robbie Williams, 1997

Famous English singer and football fan Robbie Williams was clearly dwelling on State of Origin in Victoria when penning these lyrics for his gold-plated, signature song.

Yes rugby league, it’s time for us to entertain Melbourne at our highest level. Let’s inspire and charm the 90,000 fans who will cram the MCG on Wednesday night for NSW’s must-win game against Queensland.

Like a confused dog tilting their head to one side, Origin perplexes Melbourne. They’re not quite sure what to think or make of it. They know it’s big, they know it’s brutal and they know they want to be entertained.

So Origin’s top rock stars will need to - as Williams once sang - entertain the AFL masses. Being here for three days, I have no doubt Melbourne is once again ready for Origin.

So for Melburnians, here is a players’ guide, in order, for the top entertainers in Origin II.

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The NRL should consider abolishing their policy of publicly releasing refereeing appointments each week following the drama with leading referee Adam Gee last week.

Buzz Rothfield revealed on Sunday that Gee was sent a threatening game-day text when driving to Accor Stadium to control the Souths-Broncos game.

A teenager was later charged with ‘using a carriage service to menace, harass, offend and intimidate’.

How did the culprit have Gee’s number?

But even more concerning is that the perpetrator knew what game Gee was adjudicating because refereeing appointments are released to the public every Tuesday afternoon.

What is the benefit of the public knowing who will referee every game? It only allows ugly situations like these to occur. It isn’t difficult to work out that gambling is behind such repulsive actions.

Referee Adam Gee sends Zac Lomax of the Dragons to the bin in the round 12 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

Maybe it’s time for fans to know who their referee is when he or she runs out with the players on game day.

The NRL claim refereeing appointments are made public because clubs and players want to know each Monday so they can plan for the different intricacies of each ref. It has been included in the game’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Once the clubs and players knew, the NRL felt the refs would be leaked so decided to formally announce them to the public.

But surely it’s safer for the ref’s nominated games to remain anonymous until kick off. It could also add some intrigue for fans at the games.

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Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station has been lit up blue and maroon ahead of Origin II.

The famous landmark has been displaying giant images of Origin stars Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Reece Walsh and Harry Grant.

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No one can question Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s commitment to the Roosters in 2024.

The suspended Suaalii trained with the NSW Blues in Leura on Saturday morning before driving 150 kilometres to watch his Roosters defeat Canterbury later that afternoon in Gosford.

Suaalii even led the team song with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

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INXS bass player Garry Gary Beers is a lifelong Manly fan. He even drove from his Los Angeles home base to Las Vegas to watch his Sea Eagles in March.

And Beers may soon be cheering even louder for Manly.

His great nephew Oscar Crotty has signed a contract with the Sea Eagles for 2025 after being promoted into the club’s development squad this year.

Could he be Manly’s New Sensation?

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NSW State of Origin media manager Tracie Edmonson has already claimed a win despite the Blues being one-nil down in the series.

Tracie will leave Australia for Paris 24 hours after game three for her sixth Olympics as an AOC media liaison manager. This is also Tracie’s ninth Origin series with NSW.

Fair effort that, Trace.

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Queensland forward Reuben Cotter may have inadvertently upset his Cowboys coach, Todd Payten.

Speaking in Origin camp, Cotter said: “Bill (Slater) is the smartest coach I’ve ever had.”

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Which son of a former high-ranking rugby league official is rumoured to be heading to a rival Sydney club? Which Leagues Club is promoting meal deals and cocktails alongside images of players who left the club eight months ago?

Originally published as State of Origin: The 10 players that will light up the MCG on Wednesday night