'Hard to watch': Fans divided over 'joke' State of Origin call
Fans have taken to social media with mixed reaction after it was confirmed State of Origin Game 1 would be held in Townsville.
The Origin opener was scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 9, but Victoria's Covid-19 situation left league officials scrambling to find an alternative venue.
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And on Monday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the state had secured the first ever regional State of Origin in Townsville.
Fans took to social media in both joy and displeasure after hearing the news.
Many fans that had bought tickets to the opening match at the MCG were left frustrated at the news.
NSW fans felt two games in Queensland gave the Maroons a huge advantage.
BREAKING: State of Origin is coming to Townsville 🏉
Game One will be played at @QCBstadium on 9 June – it’s the first ever Origin game held in a regional city.
The decision by the @NRL comes after we launched Operation Origin to secure this historic event for Townsville. pic.twitter.com/ALB0FQQaDc— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) May 31, 2021
Just got email from Ticketek - State of Origin game at MCG next week cancelled by NRL. ON YOUR HEAD MORRISON - there'll be a lot of angry sports fans in Melbourne and they all VOTE. And don't you dare show up at any games in NSW or Qld! Yes, we'll get refunds.
— 💧David 1955 (@wynnumboy) May 31, 2021
Townsville for Origin I. Yep, who cares about fairness when NRL can make an earn...
— christian nicolussi (@mrchrisnico) May 31, 2021
When was the last time NSW hosted 2games in the StateOfOrigin.
Why should QLD get 2 host games this year back to back. https://t.co/FX54SrJN6D— Aaqib Abdul Ala (@AAA_Squibby) May 31, 2021
Make no mistake, other states are LINING UP to take major events . We lost everything last year, then a ‘snap’ lockdown decimated the Aus Open tennis.
Losing State Of Origin until 2024... & Dreamtime? The heart of this city is getting ripped out & it’s hard to watch. #Melbourne https://t.co/eVheVS1QAk— Catherine Murphy (@CathMurphySport) May 31, 2021
Beating the canetoads in QLD, is going to taste real sweet. #stateoforigin
— Carla JS (@CarlsCarla) May 31, 2021
Typical State of Origin. All about Queensland.
If only I had the willpower to not watch 🥴 https://t.co/QYcwokckgW— Nate Swan (@Nate_Swan) May 31, 2021
While others praised the decision for the NRL to make the landmark decision that a regional town could host the showpiece event.
Too early to call for a public holiday on the Thursday after origin in Townsville.
— Brent Tate (@brenttate3) May 31, 2021
Reckon it’s a great call moving the State of Origin to Townsville. A much better idea than moving it to Perth or Melbourne! P.S. Might have to play the Boxing Day Test in Port Douglas at this rate
— Taylor Auerbach (@tauerbach) May 31, 2021
Yes!!! It’s so awesome that the first state of origin is being played here in Townsville definitely try and get tickets for it so keen to go never been to an origin match before so fingers crossed we can get tickets 🤞🤞
— Nicole Lindsell (@NicoleLindsell1) May 31, 2021
Braith Anasta slams Townsville move
Former NSW star Braith Anasta was fuming at the potential move on the weekend, as news emerged the NRL was considering the option.
“It’s a joke. It’s a disgrace,” Anasta told Fox League’s Big League Wrap.
“It’s all about Queensland. It’s a huge disadvantage (to NSW).
“It should be (neutral territory). You have to go up to Townsville, you have 25,000 crazy Queensland supporters.
"We’ve been there. When you play against Queensland in Queensland it’s a huge advantage. They thrive off it, so why would you give them that advantage?”
Maroons great Corey Parker agreed that the situation would offer his former side a massive advantage in the best-of-three series, with Game III to be held in Sydney on July 14.
“The home ground advantage is enormous, they will come from absolutely everywhere, it’ll be a packed house, down into Suncorp for the second game," Parker said.
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