SOO 2 broke TV viewing records with Rockhampton viewers tuning in in their thousands . The event drew on average 67,620 viewers, the peak audience reaching 71,942. A record 4.193 million viewers (a combined metro and regional average audience) watched the Blues break their 8 year drought, making it the highest rating television show of 2014 and the highest rating Origin game in OzTam history. An audience of 558,513 viewers across regional Qld watched the event.
Contrary to popular belief, I didn't see any of these hate filled, Qld supporting zombies, spewing forth fire and brimstone and screaming for the destruction of all things Blue. Nor did I see any crazed Blues fans, rubbing in their victory and carrying on like they had just freed rugby league from the depths of depravity.
What I did notice was a very large number of people flying Blues flags, wearing Blues jerseys, hats, t-shirts even the odd beanie around town.
My point? The hatred, just as in general life, is what you make it, If you want to carry on like a tool and scream crap and threaten everyone within earshot, you will. Not because you are a passionate supporter of your State and a staunch supporter of RL. It's because you're a tool. Tools are everywhere and evident at every game of footy. They are a joke and should be treated as such.
I am happy to report that here in Rocky, one of the most central towns in Qld and certainly the heart of Qld rugby league, I have heard of no acts of SOO induced violence from Wednesday night, even with record numbers of Blues supporters making themselves visible and loud. You'd think if it was going to happen anywhere, it would have erupted here.
Again, the players love SOO. I'd like to see the Manly club tell our players to all stand down from Origin selection like Jamie. What do you think might happen?? A mass exodus? Certainly player discomfort. If players from other clubs knew they couldn't make themselves available for SOO, we may struggle to attract top line players here in the future. It would never happen though.
Think about this.....are you all really upset with the concept of SOO (even though it ticks all the boxes as far as marketability, the players love it, the fans of RL love it, supporters of other sports love the hype and build up to it etc, etc) OR....are you just upset about the timing of it?? What if it were played at the end of the year, after the competition has concluded?? Would that lessen your dislike of it? Answer from your head, not your heart that may feel the need to stick strongly to your original opinion.
Before calling for an end to an event that is so good for the sport, try to think of an alternative to the problem it poses. Then you are contributing and not simply regurgitating the same old same old.
I'll bet, to a person, everyone of you can come up with at least one way of lessening the blow on clubs that SOO has. I have ample faith that if you guys put your minds to it, you'll come up with options. You are some of the smartest people to grace a supporters site. C'mon, don't let me down 🙂 Open your minds and let those creative juices flow!!!