The case for an interstate carnival
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Given that Australian Rules came up with the concept of State of Origin it really grates to see Rugby League take it and run with it. Of course, one must admire them for their success with it, but it is now time for Australian Rules to reclaim its honour.
One of the reasons for the success of the Rugby League version is that it is simple to understand – there is only New South Wales v Queensland. We have a “problem” in that we have a number of states where footy is the primary code, and who have genuine claims to play a game at the highest level. And even in New South Wales and Queensland, where it is not the primary code, there would be quite strong teams assembled for a match.
I propose therefore, rather than a straight head to head, we inaugurate a carnival where each State and Territory plays one game a year over the same weekend. The teams would be split into two Divisions of four teams each, and would play each other once over a three year period with a Final being played in the fourth year. Then the cycle would begin again. This has a resonance with the Olympics and various sporting codes’ World Cups.
Each match would stand on its own but would also build towards the final. In the fourth year the two “worst” teams from Division 1 would play off to avoid relegation to Division 2 for the next cycle. The winner of the Division 2 final would move up to Division 1. Technically one could say that the fourth year match between the bottom two teams in Division 2 has no bearing on anything, but surely pride in the jumper means something and makes the match worth pursuing?
To start with, Division 1 would consist of South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria with perhaps an initial one off game between New South Wales and Queensland to determine which other team belongs in the top tier. Of course, Tasmania as a long standing Australian football state might feel aggrieved and feel it belongs in the top tier.
In any case, it seems fairly obvious that Northern Territory and the ACT would form part of Division 2, but even these sides might prove to be fairly handy – there have been some magnificent players to come out of these regions in the past.
It makes sense to play all four matches over a single weekend, no doubt on Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday. With regard to venues, there are a couple of options. One is to play all four in the one city and make a real football carnival of it; the other is to play the matches in four different states, with the actual venue to be decided by the AFL or by a toss of the coin. For example, South Australia v Victoria is often more passionately followed in Adelaide, whereas South Australia v Western Australia might need a toss of the coin. The fourth year final would be held in the capital city of the better performed team over the previous three years’ matches.
I suggest the matches be played after round five of the AFL season. (There is a reason for this – I can elaborate in a future article). This gives a reasonable length of time for players to be fit and for selectors to have a line on form. Given the added impost on the players’ bodies it must be written in to their contracts that they get a week off in lieu at some point during the season.
So, how about it?
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