The greatest rivalry in rugby league will head way north next week with Game 1 of the 2021 State of Origin Series moved to Townsville.
While the Covid situation in Victoria has robbed us of a packed MCG, the consolation of the first game of Origin getting played north of Milton in Brisbane (the LA game does not count) is something to enjoy.
Many people may not know what to expect next week so we have sent the Neds scouts to Townsville and they have provided us a sneak peak about how what will be in store for us.
1 – Johnathan Thurston Everywhere
Cr. Jenny Hill might be the nominal Mayor of Townsville but we all know that JT is the lord and saviour of Cowboys country.
Having made miracles happen countless times in the Origin arena and delivering the 2015 NRL Premiership to the region, he has done everything short of walking on water in the eyes of the local crowd.
Expect to see plenty of him over the next week as the theory that “there’s no such thing as too much Thurston” is put to the test.
2 – Flights from Brisbane and Sydney will be REALLY Expensive
Rugby League die-hards were all set to flock to Melbourne for Game 1 of the Origin series however those travel plans were changed in an instant.
As is the case with just about every major event, flights to the region skyrocketed in price once reports emerged the game was headed to Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
For the week of Origin a return trip from Brisbane to Townsville will cost a couple of hundred dollars more than the standard fare a week either side of the big game.
3 – Kick Ons and Kick Offs At The Mad Cow
After every major event in Townsville there is only one place to go, The Mad Cow.
While the game itself will be dominating the headlines Thursday morning, you can almost guarantee there will be at least one story regarding an incident at this particular establishment as the celebrations (and commiserations) occur.
4 – An Overabundance of Cowboy Hats and RM Williams
The unofficial uniform of rural Queensland, expect plenty of people in the crowd to adhere to the dress code of a Maroons branded shirt, jeans, boots and of course, the hat.
5 – Townsville’s Street Art Gets Compared to Melbourne’s
The iconic laneways in Melbourne are decorated with unique imagery but did you know Townsville has its own street art scene?
If sculpture work is more your thing, there’s always this giant turtle to go check out.
6 – Nobody Brings Up North Queensland Seceding For One Night
North Queenslanders are born with a chip on their shoulder and love to tell everyone how they get the short end of the stick from the South-East Queensland centric Government.
Every so often a local pollie will suggest that the “northerners” should all band together and start a new state, letting those pompous southerners have their precious things like Daylight Savings even though they will always have to change their curtains.
The one (or three) times per year that is all put to the side is State of Origin when the entirety of Queensland bands together to make fun of New South Wales.
Just wait for the op-ed calling for a Tri-Series between Queensland, New South Wales and North Queensland if secession ever does happen.
Before you say that this is some sort of joke, it is a popular discussion when they need to rally the troops.
7 – Complaints About Queensland Getting Home Field Advantage
While most Queenslanders will be more than happy to see two games in their state, the inevitable “bias” claims are coming from Blues fans south of the Tweed.
They might have a point with a neutral site match getting moved to give Queensland the first two games at home.
Gus Gould will undoubtedly have a calm and measured opinion on the issue.
8 – Someone Saying “You Brought a Part of Melbourne with You” if it Rains
It will be the low hanging fruit for fans and broadcasters alike, playing to the easy stereotypes about Victoria.
If there is even a light drizzle at any stage, get ready for the easy jokes to come flying in both on the broadcast and social media
9 – On Field Controversy
Some parts of Origin translate wherever it is played.
A sin-binning is $1.01 to be the major source of debate.
10 – Over on the Number of Times “Rugby League Heartland” is Said
Whatever the number is set at for that phrase, pound the over.
The Premier has already started the count.
Also back the overs on the number of times we hear that the NRL is “taking the game back to the people”.