Australian Football Sesquicentennial - State Of Origin
The first of several suggestions to celebrate 150 years of Australian football in 2008. Not a new idea, to actually bring back the State Of Origin games, but here is a way to get everyone involved. Every state and territory, and just as importantly to allow every supporter of the sport a chance to select the teams.
One of the problems with State Of Origin teams in the past was that it seemed those in control had their favourites and every year there were players who deserved to play but they were always on the outer. A simple solution, and while a few guys in suits might disagree, it gives the sport back to the people who are most important. Fans from all over Australia, and all over the world, would just go to afl.com.au and select their preferred 18 players for all the state teams. The votes are counted and 18 players for each side get their state jumper. For team balance and strategies, the coach of each state would then select an extra six players for the interchange bench.
The coaching setup for each team could be structured around a coach from the AFL or a coach from the state league as well as a "State Legend", a retired coach or former player from every state.
To have the voting occur the players would have to be assigned to specific states first. They should just stay with the states that they played with, or were eligible to play with, for the Under 18 Titles. Most of the players came from that setup, so that is their "origin". There will have to be exceptions, and one of them is the international players. They should just be assigned to the state where their AFL team is located.
Where and when the games are played is going to create a lot of controversy from now until the decision is made. There is after, during and before the 2008 AFL season. For a lot of people, the football goes on holiday after the AFL Grand Final and that is also when players are going to Mexico or Columbia to holiday so after the season won't work. During the season would also have problems, as it could interrupt the momentum of teams and an injury occurring then would be a lot worse for teams. While preseason isn't perfect, it might be the best choice. The State Of Origin carnival weekend could take place a week or two before the regular season started.
The location, or locations, is something that people will fight over. Due to when it could be played, and because football needs to give back to many places that are taken for granted, Tasmania could be the ideal spot.
Who plays who is something that everyone will have a different opinion on, so here is something to consider:
Game 1: NSW/ACT versus Qld/NT. Played in Hobart on Friday.
Game 2: WA versus Tas. Played in Launceston on Saturday.
Game 3: Vic versus SA. Played in Hobart on Sunday.
The winner of game 3 is the champion. Game 2 could be considered a match to choose a number 1 contender, who would take on the champion at the next State Of Origin carnival, if that were to ever occur. So at the next event, the winner of game 3 in 2008 would take on the winner of game 2. The loser of game 3 in 2008 would play the winner of game 1 at the next event, while the loser of game 2 in 2008 would be relegated to the opening match at the next carnival to play the loser of the game 1 from 2008.
It seems that State Of Origin, in some form, will be an important part in commemorating 150 years of football being played. The AFL might release their plan soon, and it could be a midseason game or games.
Next week's Australian Football Sesquicentennial Celebrations Suggestion: Streamers, paper, phone books and newspapers round.
One of the problems with State Of Origin teams in the past was that it seemed those in control had their favourites and every year there were players who deserved to play but they were always on the outer. A simple solution, and while a few guys in suits might disagree, it gives the sport back to the people who are most important. Fans from all over Australia, and all over the world, would just go to afl.com.au and select their preferred 18 players for all the state teams. The votes are counted and 18 players for each side get their state jumper. For team balance and strategies, the coach of each state would then select an extra six players for the interchange bench.
The coaching setup for each team could be structured around a coach from the AFL or a coach from the state league as well as a "State Legend", a retired coach or former player from every state.
To have the voting occur the players would have to be assigned to specific states first. They should just stay with the states that they played with, or were eligible to play with, for the Under 18 Titles. Most of the players came from that setup, so that is their "origin". There will have to be exceptions, and one of them is the international players. They should just be assigned to the state where their AFL team is located.
Where and when the games are played is going to create a lot of controversy from now until the decision is made. There is after, during and before the 2008 AFL season. For a lot of people, the football goes on holiday after the AFL Grand Final and that is also when players are going to Mexico or Columbia to holiday so after the season won't work. During the season would also have problems, as it could interrupt the momentum of teams and an injury occurring then would be a lot worse for teams. While preseason isn't perfect, it might be the best choice. The State Of Origin carnival weekend could take place a week or two before the regular season started.
The location, or locations, is something that people will fight over. Due to when it could be played, and because football needs to give back to many places that are taken for granted, Tasmania could be the ideal spot.
Who plays who is something that everyone will have a different opinion on, so here is something to consider:
Game 1: NSW/ACT versus Qld/NT. Played in Hobart on Friday.
Game 2: WA versus Tas. Played in Launceston on Saturday.
Game 3: Vic versus SA. Played in Hobart on Sunday.
The winner of game 3 is the champion. Game 2 could be considered a match to choose a number 1 contender, who would take on the champion at the next State Of Origin carnival, if that were to ever occur. So at the next event, the winner of game 3 in 2008 would take on the winner of game 2. The loser of game 3 in 2008 would play the winner of game 1 at the next event, while the loser of game 2 in 2008 would be relegated to the opening match at the next carnival to play the loser of the game 1 from 2008.
It seems that State Of Origin, in some form, will be an important part in commemorating 150 years of football being played. The AFL might release their plan soon, and it could be a midseason game or games.
Next week's Australian Football Sesquicentennial Celebrations Suggestion: Streamers, paper, phone books and newspapers round.
It looks like it will be back, in some form, in 2008. Some coaches and clubs are against a midseason game, and there was talk that Tasmania wouldn't be playing, so they have plenty of things to work out. Thank you for your comment.
Here are some quotes from the AFL about State of Origin in 2008, from The Age.
"I think the coaches who don't support it are in the minority now. We've already got a number of scenarios in mind and we'll probably create a subcommittee from within our executive to start working on the logistics. But the only way it can work is if the players picked play. We don't just want the players who put their hands up. We believe we have the support of the clubs, but we would probably have to make it clear that any player withdrawing would be ineligible to play the following week for their club.
"We know we have the support of the players. We asked the captains at the start of the season and they all supported it."