It’s State of Origin time and that means, once again, I am getting my hopes up for a Blues series win. It’s been a lean 8 years and the memories of the last series victory from 2005 are starting to fade.
Life was different in 2005:
- Crazy Frog was topping the charts.
- The Gold Coast Titans were announced as the 16th club in the NRL.
- The Parramatta Eels finished top of the ladder, but choke terribly in the Preliminary final causing me to cry.
- The Swans win their first flag in 72 years.
- The IOC announced that London would host the 2012 Olympics.
- Rockwiz and Spicks & Specks made their debuts on Australia TV.
- Schapelle Corby was convicted of carrying a heavy boogie board.
Yes, it was a different time. Andrew Johns was steering the NSW ship and a certain Jarryd Hayne was still a year off his first grade debut.
Now, we have Hayne, as the most experienced player in the NSW squad, looking to finally bring down those dirty Queenslanders.
I wanted to highlight something that really impressed me..
The NRL have started a ‘State of Mind’ campaign to break down stigmas surrounding mental health and to encourage people to seek help.
I think this is especially vital for men, who took often think it is a sign of weakness to talk to someone about their well-being or to seek medical opinion. I know I’m guilty of the “she’ll be right” attitude myself.
2 of the grittiest players in the game stand in a parking lot…awkwardly talking. It’s a powerful image and I really like that the sport that I love has made something like this.
In any case, GO YOU BLUES. Here’s hoping that in a few weeks time, I will be celebrating the first Blues series win in 9 years at ANZ Stadium with 80,000 other proud fans.