Make no mistake, the current Queensland State of Origin team is a juggernaut, a once-in-a-generation mix of outstanding leadership, management, coaching and talent. While I have enjoyed every victory across the Maroons stellar six-year run, the wins have always meant more when beating spirited opposition, and you don’t get much more spirited than a Ricky Stuart-coached footy team.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ricky away from football and truth be told you can’t help but like the guy. He’s one of those rare individuals who can make you feel like you’re the only person in the room when you’re in his company. He’s smart, brutally honest, speaks his mind and always has time for people.
While Stuart’s place in rugby league is well known, it’s when he talks of his family and friends you see past the coach and get an insight into makes the man. Those in his circle of trust will tell you there’s not a more loyal or caring bloke on the planet and I’m sure his Blues players feel the same way.
Over the last couple of months, I have watched Stuart passionately promote all things New South Wales State of Origin. Many times I’ve thought that too much of his thinking has made its way into the public arena. While Queensland were flying under the radar it seemed the Blues were having daily debates on everything from team selections to venues and referees.
But after seeing the television ratings for Origin I and noting the how many more conversations I’ve personally had about State of Origin this year, I’ve come to understand why Stuart’s public posturing has been a good thing for NSW, and almost necessary.
Up here in Queensland, we are openly passionate about Origin football. From the very rich and powerful through to the battlers and young families, we publicly celebrate our love for the mighty Maroons, often and loudly. We don’t hide; it can even be embarrassing at times, but it’s there for all to see.
I won’t say that NSW don’t have the same passion for State of Origin, but I do believe it’s often hidden away. One of the many good things Ricky Stuart has been able to achieve over the last 18 months is to help NSW fans feel proud to be openly passionate about their footy team.
Every time Stuart fronts a camera or puts pen to paper you get a sense that this bloke would give his right arm to see NSW beat Queensland. He smiles and jumps around when things are going well but looks all bitter and twisted when things go the way of the Maroons.
Origin means so much to Stuart and he will never stop wearing his blue heart on his sleeve. The whole of NSW is feeding off his emotions at the moment and it’s taken the competitive tension between the two bitter rivals to a whole new level.
Ricky’s passion is also doing weird and wonderful things to us rednecks north of the border. Never in my life have I wanted to see Queensland beat NSW so badly and I know I have Ricky Stuart to thank for that.
Next Wednesday night, like the rest of my fellow Queenslanders, I can’t wait to loathe the NSW coach and his band of merry blue men. Nothing would give me greater delight than to see Queensland beat NSW on their home turf, in front of their home crowd at a time when it has never meant more to them.
