SOO

[Booney]

With big Andy D opening up the debate regarding State of Origin,what do we on here think is the best way to play this match,or indeed series of matches? If at all.

I know this has been debated ad nauseum but with the game or games back on the agenda next year,I offer these questions.

1: Do you want to see SOO return to the AFL calendar?

2: Would you go to a match of SA V Vic at Footy Park?

3: (If yes to Q1) When should it be played?

4: Should it only be SA V Vic?

For me;

1: Yes.
2: Yes. (But would not cheer Alan Didak)
3: I think the pre season comp should be a knock out comp,with games being played mid week over 20 minute (no time on 1/4rs) and have the comp done in 3 weeks.

Have a two week break mid season and play SOO week 1,giving all players a full 10 or more days to recover.The League blokes play SOO on a Wednesday and back up on a Friday,are our blokes soft in comparison?

4: If not,not sure how to best work it.

Punters......

[Aerie]

I believe we should put one weekend aside each year for a State of Origin weekend and all States and Territories should be represented. I originally thought it could be played on the free weekend between the NAB Cup Final and Round 1, however, it would be better to choose players to represent their state on form, so perhaps on the 1st weekend in May after Rounds 5 or 6, and we could have Round 1 of the AFL season the weekend immediately after the NAB Cup GF, therefore, not really effecting the program too much.

An example fixture which would see teams be seeded and relegated and promoted according to the result of their match each season.

Champion State of Australia Match
Victoria (seed 1) vs South Australia (2) (MCG)
(winner is champion, loser relegated to Qualifying Match 1 next year)

Qualifying Match 1
Tasmania (4) vs Western Australia (3) (Launceston)
(winner promoted to Championship match, loser to Qualifying Match 2)

Qualifying Match 2
Queensland (5) vs New South Wales (6) (Gabba)
(winner promoted to Qualifying Match 1, loser to Qualifying Match 3)

Qualifying Match 3
ACT (7) vs NT (8) (Manuka Oval)
(winner promoted to Qualifying Match 2)

Alternate venues each year, so, if possible, teams don't play away or home two games in a row. Make trophies for each game (eg. Qld vs NSW could be the Daniher/Voss Cup etc.)

[Blue Boy]

For me Boon its one of the greatest footy traditions !!!


1: Do you want to see SOO return to the AFL calendar? YES

2: Would you go to a match of SA V Vic at Footy Park? YES - I would go to MCG to

3: (If yes to Q1) When should it be played? MID SEASON BYE FOR ALL CLUBS

4: Should it only be SA V Vic? WA would kick up a massive stink if it was just SA and the Vics - so they would either have to play an Allies combo at a guess.

Not sure how they would manage a carnival type set up.

[JK]

Interesting questions here, and I'm not sure of how the format could/would work, but yes I would go to watch an SA state game for sure.

Another question - Would the Vic's still be the walk-up start for the main match these days as they were in years gone by? (I'd imagine yes they still would)

[Blue Boy]

Another question - Would the Vic's still be the walk-up start for the main match these days as they were in years gone by? (I'd imagine yes they still would)

Andy D and his mates would have it no other way CP !!!

[blink]

I can't wait for it to come back!!

It doesn't bother me when they have it, as long as I can watch SA smash the Vics.

[silent hour]

Not interested in SOO as IMHO it would detract from the AFL regular season if played mid year. While if played after the season I would think the players wouldn't be interested.

Another point is the selection of players for SA, in previous SOO teams I thought that quite a few players should have been in the team before others that were picked. It's the old not how good you are but who you know.

[Blue Boy]

Another point is the selection of players for SA, in previous SOO teams I thought that quite a few players should have been in the team before others that were picked. It's the old not how good you are but who you know.

I rekon that would be different now - that era has passed us !!!

[Blue Boy]

Just read that Darcy cant wait to don the State guernsey again.

My question is would he make the side.

Lade will be number 1 ruck for sure.

Darcy would have to fight out the other big man spot against Ottens me thinks.

[Hondo]

I believe we should put one weekend aside each year for a State of Origin weekend and all States and Territories should be represented. I originally thought it could be played on the free weekend between the NAB Cup Final and Round 1, however, it would be better to choose players to represent their state on form, so perhaps on the 1st weekend in May after Rounds 5 or 6, and we could have Round 1 of the AFL season the weekend immediately after the NAB Cup GF, therefore, not really effecting the program too much.

An example fixture which would see teams be seeded and relegated and promoted according to the result of their match each season.

Champion State of Australia Match
Victoria (seed 1) vs South Australia (2) (MCG)
(winner is champion, loser relegated to Qualifying Match 1 next year)

Qualifying Match 1
Tasmania (4) vs Western Australia (3) (Launceston)
(winner promoted to Championship match, loser to Qualifying Match 2)

Qualifying Match 2
Queensland (5) vs New South Wales (6) (Gabba)
(winner promoted to Qualifying Match 1, loser to Qualifying Match 3)

Qualifying Match 3
ACT (7) vs NT (8) (Manuka Oval)
(winner promoted to Qualifying Match 2)

Alternate venues each year, so, if possible, teams don't play away or home two games in a row. Make trophies for each game (eg. Qld vs NSW could be the Daniher/Voss Cup etc.)

That's the best suggestion I have heard so far

I think:

1 it has to come back
2 yes I would go to SA v Vic
3 I think it has to be mid-year ... we should look to the NRL for inspiration on how to run SOO
4 Should be all states but not round-robin - Aeri's suggestion

Doesn't matter if we get the concept and timing right ... will never work unless the AFL, the Clubs and the Players all SUPPORT it. Sounds like that might be happening.

Bring it back!!

[blink]

Just read that Darcy cant wait to don the State guernsey again.

My question is would he make the side.

Lade will be number 1 ruck for sure.

Darcy would have to fight out the other big man spot against Ottens me thinks.

You would think Lade would get the nod as the number 1 ruckman.

There would be an extremely tough fight (assuming all were 100% fit) between Darcy, Otten, Brogan and Clarke for the second ruckman. Right now Ottens would probably get the nod.

[magpie in the 80's]

just heard on ten (eastern states) that SOO is back on next year to coincide with footys 150 years and that qld/nsw will have a combined side

[MightyEagles]

1 - Yes
2 - I'll go, if it is reasonably priced.
3 - Mid year after round 11.
4 - Does it matter who plays who.

[Aerie]

just heard on ten (eastern states) that SOO is back on next year to coincide with footys 150 years and that qld/nsw will have a combined side

If that is the case that is so dumb. Queensland and NSW hate each other! Would be better of for football if they scheduled a State of Origin match between the two instead of making them join together.

The AFL has no idea about a sporting competition. Everything is contrived. Therefore, State of Origin won't work in the long run because it's a fake competition.

[Rik E Boy]

If the players continue to come down with mystery one week ailments such as a strained ovary then SOO should not be reintroduced, for this is why it lost the imagination of the fans in the first place, particularly in Victoria.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

I would be there with bells on...in the 80's I always looked forward to that Tuesday night in May when footy park was packed with passionate SANFL fans...used to have arguements what was better...a SANFL GF or SOO....magnificent

It needs to be part of the calender...these blokes wera the state jumper right up to they are 18 but when they start senior footy there is no honour

state pride...i love it....Tony Hall's goal, Stick's 10 goals...etc etc

[Hondo]

I would be there with bells on...in the 80's I always looked forward to that Tuesday night in May when footy park was packed with passionate SANFL fans...used to have arguements what was better...a SANFL GF or SOO....magnificent

It needs to be part of the calender...these blokes wera the state jumper right up to they are 18 but when they start senior footy there is no honour

state pride...i love it....Tony Hall's goal, Stick's 10 goals...etc etc

You are OTM Dutchy .... it has to build it's own status and make it's mark so that everyone looks forward to it and everyone wants to be involved. It has to get a life of it's own so the clubs can't help but let their players have a crack at it.

The other thread about State pride and how it gets shown these days showed that SOO is so badly needed.

They need a NRL Rep to come down and give some advice on how to run a successful SOO concept. I know it's easier with only 2 states for them, but with everyone behind a CONSISTENT concept .... it works.

SOO memories .... '94 Sat afternoon under lights in the rain at the G, W Carey's only game for SA before they changed the rules on us, Dunstall/Lockett dual FF's in '89, .... Tony Hall's goal was one of the most memorable ever

[power01]

Love to see it return....................

[Sojourner]

Maybe they could have some of the states combine,

Vic-Tas vs SA-WA for instance!

[rd]

I loved SOO footy in the 70s & 80s but since the introduction of AFL teams around Australia, I don't think State borders mean much anymore - eg we can beat the Vics many times during the year now where in the 70s and 80s the Vics only came to town once a year so you HAD to go and see them. However for the 150 years of footy celebration due in 2008 I would like to see a mini carnival conducted and if successful maybe revive it every 3 years afterwards. In essence in 2008 I would scrap the week off after the NAB Grand Final. I would also suspend the split round in 2008 - this frees up 2 weekends to hold a SOO carnival (in June) for 9 teams as follows:
Div 1 - VIC,SA,WA
Div 2 - QLD,NSW,TAS
Div 3 - VFL,SANFL,WAFL

1st Friday Night - QLD v NSW - Brisbane
1st Sat (twilight & night match double header) - SANFL v VFL then SA v WA - AAMI
Tues Night - NSW v TAS - Sydney
Wed (twilight & night match double header) - WAFL v SANFL then WA v VIC - SUBIACO
2nd Friday Night - TAS v QLD - Launceston
2nd Sat (twilight & night match double header) - VFL v WAFL then VIC v SA - MCG

It's all over by the 2nd Sat night so all involved players will have at least 5 nights to prepare for their next home and away game should it be on the following Friday night.
Each Division has a team winner. Div 1,2 & 3 All Aust sides could be named.
Each Division's best player could be awarded a Medal (perhaps Ted Whitten Medal Div 1, Mal Brown Medal Div 2 and Neil Kerley Medal Div 3 to honor 3 legends who did the most to promote state footy in the past)

So the players play just 2 matches at the most every 3 years - not much interruption to club matches there!

Thoughts anyone?