Footy fans demand ‘ridiculous’ State Origin tradition be dumped after ’embarrassing’ scenes after NSW won game three
Fed-up footy fans have called for a ‘ridiculous’ State Origin tradition to be scrapped after ’embarrassing’ scenes in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Brad Fittler’s Blues salvaged some pride following a 24-10 win at Accor Stadium, but were left feeling deflated moments later when Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans hoisted the trophy.
Given Queensland had already wrapped up the series, plenty of supporters felt the honour should have happened after game two at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
The opinion gained even more traction given scores of NSW fans left the ground as Cherry-Evans savoured his moment in enemy territory.
And it didn’t long for fans to voice their opinions on social media.
Many footy fans felt Daly-Cherry Evans should have lifted the Origin trophy after the Maroons won game two and the series on home soil last month
Journalist Ed Jackson spoke for many when he tweeted: ‘This game again proving why the shield should be presented when the series is won. A bit hollow for both teams.’
‘What a feeling for the guys drafted in for NSW. Now sit back after a well earned win and watch the opposition lift the trophy. Rough,’ another tweeted.
A die-hard Queensland supporter weighed in with: ‘This is why states should be allowed to have the shield awarded to them in game two if they win it in their home state. Qld deserved to lift that shield at Suncorp.’
Billy Slater’s wife Nicole told Channel 9 post-game it was strange to lift the silverware – despite losing game three in comprehensive fashion.
‘It’s been amazing to wife being a player’s wife to now being a coach’s wife,’ she said.
Brad Fittler’s Blues salvaged some pride following a 24-10 win at Accor Stadium in game three
Supporters also didn’t hear from two-try hero Bradman Best (pictured left) due to the ongoing power struggle between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association
‘He has handled it with such grace. Obviously tonight there is a bit of a weird feeling, but overall he couldn’t be prouder.’
And due to the ongoing power struggle between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association (RLPA), fans were left short-changed when it came to live TV interaction with their heroes.
In farcical scenes at halftime, Channel 9’s Danika Mason resorted to interviewing colleague and former NSW skipper Paul Gallen as players from both sides jogged past and made their ways to the sheds.
While Cherry-Evans later broke his silence on stage, plenty of NSW fans would have loved to hear the thoughts of two-try hero Bradman Best following his impressive debut and man of the match Cody Walker.
Fittler’s tenure as head coach beyond this series also remains up in the air, but he appears to be on borrowed time, with Michael Maguire a possible replacement in 2024.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk