State of Origin 2008 - Vics v All-Stars?

[Benchwarmer]

On Perth radio news services this morning it was said that next year's State of Origin match would be at the MCG in May between Victoria and the All-Stars.

I suppose for most people, it will now be a case of who cares. Are you guys as South Aussies and all the West Aussies over here going to care about a side called the All-Stars? Will we unite as one ... well, come to think of it we already do because it's us against them (Victorians) on a number of fronts in football!

If this morning's news is true, then I will do a 180 degree backflip and say "don't bother with it" because not too many people west of Kaniva or north of Albury will give a rat's about it.

It's another nail in the coffin of the AFL for the true fans from outside Victoria who have lived through the changes in the 80s and 90s which have affected their favourite club and seen them decimated by the changes caused by nationalism. We will probably never see AFL players in their home state's colours, which is a pity.

[leftlegger]

If it is not true state of origin ... dont bother. Waste of bloody time.

As I stated elsewhere on this site:-
"The whole AFL organisation is wrong on so many levels, that I look forward to the day that it dies.
Would be good to see a break away league form and destroy the great pile of shite that it has become."

[MatteeG]

If it is not true state of origin ... dont bother. Waste of bloody time.

As I stated elsewhere on this site:-
"The whole AFL organisation is wrong on so many levels, that I look forward to the day that it dies.
Would be good to see a break away league form and destroy the great pile of shite that it has become."

Superleague anyone?

[Benchwarmer]

Where's John Elliott nowadays?

I agree with your sentiments, leftlegger but I fear that would be in the realms of fantasy land unless we get a Super League situation in our sport ... or unless we else we ignore the AFL on a mass scale and worry about our own backyards instead - but that would be to the detriment of SA and WA footy (and NSW and Qld to a lesser extent) more than Victoria or the AFL itself.

[Hondo]

Yes I agree with the comments so far ...

I am a strong supporter of SOO

But if they are going to do it Vic v All-Stars then, to me, it's just an exhibition game with no passion or emotion and I say don't bother.

What a shame - this confirms for me that next year is a once off

[Macca19]

Just a match to stroke the egos of Victorians and their clubs. Victoria v Australia? F*** off.

The whole point of bringing SoO back was because it would give players a chance to play for their state and try and bring some of that passion and pride back. There would be no pride or passion playing for the All Stars.

[sturt1]

I loved state of origin games. The facts are its a thing of the past. Club football is too important now and there is too much riding on players getting injured.

What would be great is:

SA v Vic Metro
WA v Vic Country
QLD v Tas
NSW v NT

Something like this, maybe rotating it but it wont happen. Bad luck at least the memories are their.

[Dirko]

The All-Stars concept can go get knotted...what a soft option.

Interesting to see that 5 clubs did not support the SoO concept. Adelaide & Port where two
of them. Safe to assume Freo & WCE were 2 of the others. However both Adelaide and Port
have come out and said the All-Stars concept is a waste of time...

Benchy, any news on WCE & Freo re there thoughts and if they were against the concept too ?

[Down&Out]

AFL don't want SoO so they put up a crappy proposal- nobody goes thus AFL can say that concept is dead- never raised again!

[heater31]

If this concept gets up then AFL house in Melbourne is going to cop one very nasty letter of complaint

[Benchwarmer]

A bit quiet on the issue over here ... not too much talk as yet and I think the item went under the radar (with all the rain we are having here at the moment, it's probably underwater to be truthful!).

I know that there was a pump up here about SoO at the same time that it was in the media in the other states in May/June but I think it was more a case of "wait and see" bordering on mild acceptance, especially if WA got a decent look-in.

If this talk is true, don't be surprise if a "get knotted" call comes out from the two WA clubs ... especially if this format is played in May and more importantly the concept, if the talk is actually correct.

One final point to ponder, what jumpers will the Victorians (sorry, the AFL) force them to wear ... an Allies jumper???

Don't bother AFL, you ruined it 15 years ago and I think Australian Rules football's SoO horse has officially been pronounced dead so don't flog it.

[Magpiespower]

Why bother?

Not worth risking players for such a nothing game...

[Rik E Boy]

Bullshit concept. The State of Origin series should be played every four years as an Australian championship with two divisions with a format similar to the 1988 series. You have a relegation/promotion system between divisions.

In a championship year you would have two less rounds of the season and any championship games missed equate to number of premiership rounds missed when the season resumes. If you give the option of pulling out the concept fails.

Done the right way it could be Australian Football's version of the World Cup. If the league doesn't like the mid season idea perhaps we could play it when we play those ridiculous round ball games against the whiners.

regards,

REB

[Benchwarmer]

The West Australian today says that Chris Judd will rule himself out if it is an in-season match. The article suggested that his withdrawl will lead to a spate of pull-outs or if that wasn't allowed, a spate of "one week hammy syndrome" cases.

I wouldn't blame them if they pulled out of a Victoria v All-Stars game ... the more pulling out the merrier.

[MightyEagles]

Why bother?

Not worth risking players for such a nothing game...

They do in Rugby League and during the week, then back up on the weekend as well.
The NRL have got it right, and they get behind it as well.

[Rik E Boy]

Why bother?

Not worth risking players for such a nothing game...

They do in Rugby League and during the week, then back up on the weekend as well.
The NRL have got it right, and they get behind it as well.

Yeah but try selling NSW vs. All Stars to Queenslanders.

regards,

REB

[Benchwarmer]

Then again, the ARL have their shit together.

I don't live in a state called "All-Stars" and neither do you guys. The AFL damaged the concept about 15 years ago and it will take a herculean effort to win over all of the clubs, players and fans to re-embrace it.

[Magpiespower]

They do in Rugby League and during the week, then back up on the weekend as well.

No comparison, ME.

None whatsoever...

[Blue Boy]

I am a big fan of the State of Origin but if this latest idea goes ahead then I will now know for a fact that the hierachy have indeed lost touch with the outside world !!!

[Hondo]

It's not just the hierachy's fault

If this goes ahead, it smacks of a compromise after the feedback from the clubs and players which would have been something like .... "yeah like the concept, but play as least games as possible and don't disadvantage some clubs over others in terms of players participlating (cue Eagles, Crows, Dockers and Power)"...

If there's all these compromises then clearly it's not a priority for anybody