Written Friday 18/05/2007

THE BIG ORIGIN GATHERING IN TOWN,  WHERE LEAGUE BEATS RUGBY HANDS DOWN

Prospective advertisers,  did you know that when we put that moving billboard on the side of a Yellow Cab (pictured above),  Website hits increased 10 fold within a month,  and dropped by half when we removed the car from the road.  Very,  very effective medium of advertising people.

I ventured into Town on this Toowoomba evening,  at the invite of Garden City Yellow Cabs,  and as their guest,  and walked in the street like an ordinary man,  a bit like the phantom,  or the ghost who walks.  I’m not sure if it was good luck or good management,  but we were virtually sitting with the Origin side,  Carl Webb and Steve Price had the next table,  along with Civonceiva,  Lillyman,  Smith and a few others. 

The State of Origin guys entered to the Queen number “We Will Rock You”,  still doing the rounds in 2007.  There was a bit of hype and fanfare and carrying on,  from the compere,  not my scene,  but I am somewhat different. 

There are a few things that make the codes of rugby league and rugby union different.  One of them demonstrated on 16/05/2007 was accessibility,  something I have written about and spoken about before,  but just highlighted again. 

Since rugby has turned professional,  it has taken the players away from the public and kids.  Try and get to a Wallaby or a Red these days,  you almost have to apply to the high court of Australia.  When they do turn up,  it's all pretty sanitized.

These guys were there,  all of them,  large as life,  dressed normally,  and talking and having photos taken with normal,  ordinary people,  signing stuff,  as they did at a training session earlier.

Steve Price spoke of his fondness for his junior club,  Newtown and his old school,  Harristown,  and people spoke too of how Steve returns there for things if asked,  and when he has the time.  These blokes remain close to where they came from,  and speak of being humbled by the smiles on kids faces when they turn up to things like this.

Darren Lockyer also spoke quite well,  and again remembered where he comes from.  He still holds I heard the Under 10 shotput record at the Miles and district athletics carnival.

Again rugby could learn so very much from just how rugby league takes it's game to the people,  and keeps it's players available to the people.  I am sure that there would have been somewhere these guys would rather have been on this particular night,  like home in bed,  some of them looked quite tired,  but they did their public duties and I am sure that the kids and supporters of rugby league appreciate everything that was done.

The guys then left to the Queen song,  naturally,  "we are the champions".  A few pictures of the evening below.  I'm sure these guys don't need labelling.

I Missed 100% of the Shots I Didn't Take,  Michael Jordan.