David EdwardsDoes AFL need a State of Origin Series?
April 22nd 2008 02:05
Whilst AFL is a brilliant spectacle and an institution for thousands of fanatical club supporters not only in Victoria but all over Australia, could the AFL create (or re-create) a successful origin series?
Whilst the upcome 150 year celebration game between the "all-stars" and Victoria is a marketing dream, could the AFL seek to devise some form of state of origin series?
State of Origin matches in Rugby League are succesful because of the equitable distribution of players both north and south of the border (NSW and Qld). This healthy ratio means that the series isn't lopsided, and it gives players who are originally from Qld but playing for a NSW club the opportunity to go "home" and play for the State they grew up in (or more correctly, played their junior football), and vice versa.
Could this be feasible in AFL? The first problem is the fact that AFL is a nation-wide game, whereas league is predominantly two states. Factoring in Adelaide, WA, NSW, Qld and Victoria is a hard thing to do in creating a two team origin series.
So could a "state-based" series be initiated? Personally i would love to see a state based Australian competition played in some form or another. Get Tasmania involved, and the Northern Territory. Players love to play for where they grew up in, and whilst the AFL might be all about the fans, State of Origin in the NRL is spoken highly of by the players as the hardest form of football there is.
The problem is obviously where to fit in a state based series. Whilst there are three 1 wk breaks through out the season, this doesn't lend itself to any time for state games - except in the form of a two-team competition such as in the NRL. There is always the option of making such an events into a carnival of some sort - for example having it played as a round-robin over a week or two - with games being held in all the places that don't get to see much AFL football.
Personally, i am going to the big V Centenary game on May 10th. However i don't expect it to be too full of feeling - being a composite team vs Victoria- more just an event for vored Victorians to go to in the absence of club AFL. I'll probably book my tickets to the NRL state of origin too, just to see the difference. I'm thinking it will be dramatic.
Due to Melbourne's effective suburbanisation in the 19th century (which also meant they have a fantastic transport system, something that NSW neglected), a great suburban based sport was created and a club culture that will stand for centuries longer. So is there even a need for a larger, more encompassing form of the game, or are AFL fans satisfied with club football, an exhibition "origin" match, and an "All-Australian" team that is more of a homage to a good season than a chance for those selected to play International football against other countries?
Any ideas for Demetriou?
Whilst the upcome 150 year celebration game between the "all-stars" and Victoria is a marketing dream, could the AFL seek to devise some form of state of origin series?
State of Origin matches in Rugby League are succesful because of the equitable distribution of players both north and south of the border (NSW and Qld). This healthy ratio means that the series isn't lopsided, and it gives players who are originally from Qld but playing for a NSW club the opportunity to go "home" and play for the State they grew up in (or more correctly, played their junior football), and vice versa.
Could this be feasible in AFL? The first problem is the fact that AFL is a nation-wide game, whereas league is predominantly two states. Factoring in Adelaide, WA, NSW, Qld and Victoria is a hard thing to do in creating a two team origin series.
So could a "state-based" series be initiated? Personally i would love to see a state based Australian competition played in some form or another. Get Tasmania involved, and the Northern Territory. Players love to play for where they grew up in, and whilst the AFL might be all about the fans, State of Origin in the NRL is spoken highly of by the players as the hardest form of football there is.
The problem is obviously where to fit in a state based series. Whilst there are three 1 wk breaks through out the season, this doesn't lend itself to any time for state games - except in the form of a two-team competition such as in the NRL. There is always the option of making such an events into a carnival of some sort - for example having it played as a round-robin over a week or two - with games being held in all the places that don't get to see much AFL football.
Personally, i am going to the big V Centenary game on May 10th. However i don't expect it to be too full of feeling - being a composite team vs Victoria- more just an event for vored Victorians to go to in the absence of club AFL. I'll probably book my tickets to the NRL state of origin too, just to see the difference. I'm thinking it will be dramatic.
Due to Melbourne's effective suburbanisation in the 19th century (which also meant they have a fantastic transport system, something that NSW neglected), a great suburban based sport was created and a club culture that will stand for centuries longer. So is there even a need for a larger, more encompassing form of the game, or are AFL fans satisfied with club football, an exhibition "origin" match, and an "All-Australian" team that is more of a homage to a good season than a chance for those selected to play International football against other countries?
Any ideas for Demetriou?
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