We are not America

I read with much disinterest over the weekend of the proposed concept of an East vs West representative match in 2014. Come on people, we live in Australia not America. The concept was the ‘brainchild’ of the players I am led to believe so perhaps I’m just out of touch with the modern era. I sensed I was drifting from the modern player when I heard Travis Cloke keep talking about his brand… your a footballer and a person Travis, not a brand.

To me sport for the most part needs heroes and villans and the East vs West concept has neither. There is no attachment to the teams and it is just a glorified exhibition match much like the NBA allstars or ProBowl – A nice made for TV event with a few bells and whistles but no heart or soul.

I can see the Channel 7 executives licking their lips at the concept. Andrew ‘at least I think i’m funny’ O’keefe could host and they could fire Danni Minogue out of a cannon at half time and see if Richo could catch her… rivetting stuff.

Players and spectators need to believe they are fighting for something worth winning and an East vs West hit or giggle falls way short of this. Look at the pain on a Tigers supporters face when the Blues beat them or the joy on everyone’s face when the Pies get rolled.

As much as I would like a return to the traditional State of Origin Football I appreciate that ship has sailed and that coaches and clubs can not be won over to let their stars play. The memories of watching Dunstall, Plugger, Dermie and Gary Lyon in the Big V forward line or the joy on TD’s face as he led NSW to upset the Vics are vivid but that time has passed.

Just because something comes out of America doesn’t mean it’s great for Australia so let’s just park the East vs West Allstars Game next to Kim Kardashian, Dr Pepper and Jimmy Swaggart and switch off.

About craig dodson

Born in the sporting mecca that is Wagga Wagga and now reside in Melbourne with my lovelly wife Sophie and son's Jack and Harry. Passionate Swans supporter and formally played cricket at a decent level and Aussie Rules at a not so decent level! Spend my days now perfecting my slice on the golf course and the owner of the worlds worst second serve on the tennis course.

Comments

  1. Agreed CD. The AFL brand is suffering from overexposure. Which means the season’s too bloody long as it is, and has too many meaningless matches in it already. But I’d go to see Dannii Minogue fired from a cannon.

  2. Danni Minogue fired from a cannon. Oh Shit!

  3. Jeff Dowsing says

    Agree wholeheartedly Craig, there’s enough games during the year of no consequence.

    If it actually got off the ground once I’d be amazed. And one decent injury would consign it to the dustbin forever. Or at least until the next slow news day bereft of any contract speculation.

    Btw, I’d rather see Danni Minogue host & Andrew O’Keeffe shot out of a cannon. Celebrity Cannonball… Now that’s an idea worth pursuing.

  4. Andrew Starkie says

    private school v govt school?

    bogans v cool dudes?

    micks v prodos?

    player management co. v player management co?

  5. It’s tarting to grow some legs Starks. Good bit of right brainpower coming to the fore. How about an artillery shootout with commentators as ordinance. Bruce McAveney fired at Rex Hunt.

  6. Andrew Starkie says

    wags v wags?

    Now, that’s a thought.

  7. Andrew Starkie says

    footy show v marngrook v before the game

  8. The Appalling Football League Administration v The Family Footy Fan.

  9. Bloodbath, Wrapster.

  10. Ben Footner says

    Hey, I quite liked Dr Pepper. lol

    If an Adelaide player got injured playing State of Origin I would think it a reasonably worthy cause.

    I would be extremely dirty if they got injured in a shits & giggles match like East vs West.

  11. The Selwoods, Brent Guerra, Nasty Milne, HBallantyne, Beau Waters, Chad Cornes, Ivan Maric, Tex Walker, Luke MacPharlin, Darren Glass, Chris Judd (Captain and Champion Sniper)
    V The Rest (would their public liability insurer let anyone else turn up).
    They could play for the Mopsy Fraser Cup.

  12. Awful awful idea. I loved State of Origin and would love to see it return. A proper fixture where everyone plays each other once over 17 rounds would leave plenty of time for a proper state of origin series. Bring back the Big V!

  13. I can see where you’re coming from Luke, and it’s an admirable position, but Stae of Origin today is a bit like unscrambling an egg. There’s so many players scattered throughout the five states represented at the Highest Level that the Footy Fan would have a bit of trouble relating to a team made up of players they have regarded as belonging to the state their club.

    For instance, seeing Joel Corey run out as a Sandgroper and Coery Enright as a Croweater takes a bit of adjustment. By that time the match is over and everyone is a) wondering what it was all about; and b) counting the cost in injuries. Sad I know, but that’s the way the game’s gone. We already have interstate rivalry, and some of it just as virulent as the olden golden days of Teddy Whitten we’re told by visitors who have ventured west of the volcanic plains.

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