RL State of Origin

[sbagman]

So off I went to, what I was told by the Queenslanders around here, the epitomy of Queensland passion. Having never been to a RL game, I decided to go along...

I must admit, a full ANZ Stadium looked pretty impressive. As the last of the people I was meeting up with showed up, the mexican wave went round and round, and it was a pretty amazing sight. The national anthem, sung emphatically by the whole crowd, got me thinking "this is going to be great".

The game got underway, and within a couple of minutes, NSW had a try. Having decided to support NSW during the game for various reasons, I considered it a pretty good start. But for the rest of the game, Qld ran all over the Blues, and the game never looked in doubt of going to Qld, who won easily.

The so-called Queensland passion? Well, I was a little disappointed. The atmosphere was somewhat tarnished, I felt, by the crowd announcer telling the crowd when to cheer while the ball was in play, and cheerleaders continually circling the ground... everything seemed somewhat contrived. Even worse, the people I was with left 15 minutes before the end! I was left nonplussed with the atmosphere, although it was not helped by a distinctly one-sided game.

I hope AFL doesn't go down this track of contriving atmosphere. I'd like to think I know when to cheer. The Brisbane Lions game on the Friday night was a much better experience, I felt.

And the ironic moment of the night? My first game watching Queensland... and I had my seat assigned in row KKK!!!

Cheers,
Sbagman.

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

I have been to one Rugby League match in my life.
There is sh*t-all atmosphere.
With Rugby League, i only watch state of origin's, and the Broncos if there on TV.

I do enjoy the state of origin though.
And I loved the game last night.

GO QUEENSLAND!

 

[topdon]

QUEENSLANDER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The little champ was supurb!!! What a way for him to bow out of RL with a win over the Blue scum!!

All the boys played well. Walker would have been our best, but that young kid Meyers can go a bit! Lockyer was his brilliant best, and well Alfie, was just being Alfie.

Brilliant!!

 

[Dipper]

Originally posted by sbagman
The so-called Queensland passion? Well, I was a little disappointed. The atmosphere was somewhat tarnished, I felt, by the crowd announcer telling the crowd when to cheer while the ball was in play
KKK!!!

sbagman,
if you'd wanted to see some REAL passion you should have got yourdself down to the Gabba to see Australia take on the British Lions at Rugby Union.The support that the Lions supporters gave their team was the equal of anything.

Ps Glad to see that Queensland beat NSW-shocked to see Alfie Langer get a recall

 

[CJH]

I went and watched the Storm play Cronulla at the 'G last year. They did all they could to fire the crowd up with fireworks before the game and Pseudo Echo at half time (I think I see where they went wrong now!) but found the atmosphere to be a little funny.

I guess a crowd of about 15,000 at the 'G does tend to get a little lost but that wasn't the problem. Whenever either team went near the tryline there was genuine excitement but I also found there were large lulls in the play.

For instance, when a player kicks to touch and then you have to wait 30 seconds for all the lumbering forwards to jog up to pack the scrum.

Also when waiting for the video referee to make his decision.

In these periods, it was near silent as the crowd waited for something to happen.

At least the game was close and could have gone either way right up until the end which kept the interest levels up.

I came to the conclusion that unlike Australian Rules, Rugby League is a game better watched on the TV

 

[Ms.Storm]

Funny you should say that..........because

SlagMan

I just recently took a Storm friend to her first afl game and she said the same thing about afl.....she hated it.
She said that all we did was chant "Melbourne " clap clap "Melb." clap clap.!!

I think you guys are anti-rugby league in the first place, so I DON'T VALUE your opinions on rugby league at all.

Contrived atmosphere.......hmmmmmmmm. Not in my opinion!!
I can't see that a ground announcer would need to jeer a crowd up to support their State...I wonder if in someway he may have thought there were many "visitors"to the game and was trying to explain it...this sometimes happens at Storm games for the benefit of "newcomers".

Last Storm home game I took along another friend (afl this time) to her first r/l match and she was astounded at the atmosphere and cheering of the Storm supporters...she said she instantly took to the game and was even more impressed at the atmosphere at the end of the game at the social club..she said it reminded her of the good old days at Moorabbin....she's a definate starter for the next Storm game.

CJH
Yes I too found the atmosphere different at the Cronulla vs Storm game last year.....the first one Dragons vs Storm 23,500 was more suited to the MCG....and Olympic Parks is definately for the Storm as it is still a young growing club....tho the enclosed stadium at Colonial generates quite a good atmosphere too....it also helps if you enjoy it with friends and fellow Storm supporters.
Cheers

So I guess its each to their own!!

 

[sbagman]

Ms Storm,

Don't call me Slagman.

Hey hey hey I was objective, I went in there with an open mind... its not rugby league I hate, just the NRL... and Queenslanders (with a few notable exceptions )

Don't be a sooky sooky la la. I did say some positive things. The anthem was great. And the crowd announcer thingy happened, I was there!!

I know what you mean about AFL though, it isn't much better. I hate "Brisbane *clap clap clap*" and I try to sing football (soccer) chants at footy matches, though with little success. Aussies just don't sing at the footy. Full stop. That's why I prefer soccer in terms of off-field atmosphere. I've been to heaps of games in Australia and Italy, and one in England (saw Nottingham Forest play when they were still in the premier league!). The atmosphere at those games is usually great... even the Aussie ones. If you sit with the right people that is.

I'd love to see Aussies sing at the footy, regardless of code. I took my girlfriend to see Perugia vs Bari (Italian teams) and she agreed it was the best atmosphere she's ever seen... I think I'll make it my life's ambition to get Aussies to sing at the footy. Better than this science stuff!

Cheers,
sBagman.

 

[sbagman]

Anyway, I was commenting on one game, not RL as a whole... just don't sook....

 

[mantis]

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday sbagman

Hope you are going to have a rage.

ms storm, no picking on sbagman today cause it's his birthday, be nice.

 

[sbagman]

Ah thanks Sandie, nice of you to notice! Out for an indian feast tonight... mmm.... curry....

 

[mantis]

Originally posted by sbagman
Ah thanks Sandie, nice of you to notice! Out for an indian feast tonight... mmm.... curry....

Lol, looks like you will be sleeping alone tonight.

 

[sbagman]

Originally posted by mantis



Lol, looks like you will be sleeping alone tonight.

Wanna bet???

My girl's gonna go from eating one lot of hot meat to another.

He he he I digust myself.