ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

THE POINT OF THE GAME

The mighty Maroons are humbled,
sorely beaten and dismayed,
the winning Blues are rejoicing
at the brilliant game they played.

The Canetoad’s sad fans are wincing,
feeling more than a tad let down,
their team was less than convincing
when they played in Sydney Town.

From the north there comes no bragging,
only groans of pain and despair
and mutterings of, “We’ll get them,
at Lang Park they will get their share!”

But when next the valiant teams meet,
in the war that’ll be fought the same,
let us hope the Blues and Maroons
are friends at the end of the game!

Vic Jefferies

One of the unfortunate side-effects of the transition from the VFL to the AFL is the loss of the 'State of Origin' games. We now have the Crows, the Power, the Eagles, the Dockers, the Lions, the Suns and the Swans. Yet none of the matches between any of these and any of the Victorian teams can compare with the old S/O games. Yet attempts to revive the old S/O rivalries have also foundered. Part of the trouble now is that so many of the players have moved around so much that we no longer really know how to define what their state of origin really is!

I think your final point is a very good one, Vic. We see some pretty vicious behaviour these days in the pursuit of victory. The stakes are just so high. When I used to play rugby union, there was a requirement that both sides shook hands in a very ritualised way after the game (each formed an avenue for the other, with the home team going first, as I recall). Perhaps it wouldn't make any difference, but I would quite like to see something like that introduced to the AFL.

Still, they say RU is a game of thuggery played by gentlemen. It probably wouldn't make any difference at all.

I can remember once Stephen when I went to a Rugby fundraiser and said to one old fella. " I really can not understand the rules of this game ".

The retort " There are no rules in Rugby there are just the laws of the game ".

Bout says it all.

Bob

I think you are right Stephen. We do see some very vicious play in League today. The purists would hasten to point out the game is nowhere near as violent as it was in days of old when the forwards were almost required and expected to go the "biff" but now I fear it is nearly all about money and the players do what they have to, to stay in the big earnings.
State of Origin games are perhaps the last true contests where everyone gives their all for their respective sides without so much emphasis on the commercial side of the game.
I respect Bob's enthusiastic (though ill placed) support of his "Maroons" however, I think the important thing is these contests must bring us all together in an atmosphere of true sportsmanship.