Thoughts on the big game -V v all stars

[jas929406]

Just thought i would get peoples opinions on the game this weekend(V v Allstars).
Was it good enough to bring back the state of origin football?.
Is playing for your state worth risking an injury?.
Did some players hold back for fear of injury?.
Was this a game to pump up the Victorian ego?.(thats what people are saying)
Who was best on ground and why?.
Any thoughts on the new cameras....interchange bench,umpire cam,goal square cam ect?.

I know people have put some opinions on the game in another thread but this is to truly put forward your real opinion on the subject further than you have.

My thoughts are that i would like to see state of origin back but where would you play it besides the MCG.
Playing for your state is worth the risk of injury imo providing that you or your club get compo for the amount of time you have off through the regular home and away season by the AFL.
The interchange cameras are a great idea and with a feed going back into the coaches box he would be able to see what happens when he has to relay a message to the runners or players.(plus players behaviour ect).

Best on ground Saturday night was Andrew McLeod just in front of Fevola with Little Roo Harvey 3rd.

I will give more opinions when people bring forward their's....peace out.


PS

if i dont catch you all soon see you all in a fornight....Go the Mighty Eagles..lol.

[ravadongon]

Was it good enough to bring back the state of origin football?.

Although it wasn't a true SOO game, the TV ratings from all states (and crowd) would suggest so - but whether that was due to genuine interest in the game or it being the only AFL game on the weekend (people getting their footy fix for the week), I don't know.
I never got to see SOO footy at it's best, so I'm probably not the best person to ask - but if they're going to bring it back, it should be a once every 4-5 years round-robin/knockout event - so fan anticipation and player motivation remain high. The hard part is where to fit it in (pre/during/post/off season - each has their +/-). I'm neither for or against it yet.

Is playing for your state worth risking an injury?.

Depends on the players attitudes/motivation towards the game, but from a supporters POV, no. If WC were in premiership contention and a key player was injured and ruled out for the season in a SOO game, I'd be very disappointed.

Did some players hold back for fear of injury?.

Hard to tell, but I'd say no - there were some nice hits (? on C.Bolton and Buddy on Mitchell) and I didn't see anybody shirk a contest/shy from contact, but the overall intensity of the game was very low in the first half (probably a team chemistry issue rather than holding back). It improved in the 3rd and was at it's max/best in the 4th (which was easily the best 1/4 of the game for viewing).

Was this a game to pump up the Victorian ego?.(thats what people are saying)

No. The purpose was to celebrate 150 years of football, by the best players in the league playing with/against each other. Vic vs. SA/WA probably wouldn't be fair as one big state misses out and excluding Vic would be ridiculous as that's the home and birthplace of footy (massive loss in overall interest). Having said that I felt no involvement as a supporter with the DT (kind of like watching a neutral game). Definitely a tricky one.

Who was best on ground and why?.

Fevola - . Harvey (run and carry from the wing + and Foley (got them back into it by setting up many attacking moves with his run and carry through the corridor) some v. nice runs down the wing were impressive too. Franklin (tremendous presence in the forward line) and McLeod (rebound work of the backline was v.good and won some important clearances/footy in the last qtr) were the DT best.

Any thoughts on the new cameras....interchange bench,umpire cam,goal square cam ect?.

The umpire cam was terrible (hope we never see it again). The Goal post cam may be useful for the line ball goal decsions (i.e. touched on the line), but ch 10 shouldn't be using it for set shots (we can't see the flight path as the ball goes too high for the cam). Interchange cam might be useful for the AFL/coaches, but can't see it being a breakthrough for viewers.