West Australia left seeing red in State of Origin blunder
Oh WA media, give it a rest will you? Like it or not, rugby league is here to stay.
The state's paper The West Australian did its best this week to try to make citizens forget one of the country's biggest sporting spectacles was happening in the heart of their city, State of Origin.
That didn't exactly work out how they'd hoped.
The paper virtually refused to promote the game at all in the lead-up, with only a small story at the back-end of the sport section on Monday, and not a single mention of it at all one day out.
The event was also missing from Channel 7's news bulletin.
The 'State of Origin's back' header finally appeared on the front page on Wednesday, which at first glance was a nod to the game.
But on closer look it appeared to poke fun at the event, promoting WA's Fremantle Dockers against Victoria's Essendon Bombers clash on Thursday night instead.
Not to mention the strategic placement of their only game day story beside the ads for escort services.
But not even The West Australian's blatant disregard and mockery of rugby league was enough to deter its state from churning out in numbers for Wednesday night's blockbuster.
Of the 57,000 crowd in the downpour of rain at Optus stadium — which was almost a 62,000 sellout — around 47,000 were Perth locals.
Ironically the next night, for The West's 'state of origin' battle between Fremantle and Essendon, the AFL could only manage 37,570 fans at the same venue.
The best the paper could do? A salty response the next morning: 'One bunch of East Coasters beat another at rugby in Perth last night.'
That's got to feel like a bit of egg on your face.
But it seems not much will change as the state media continues to virtually deny the code exists despite growing admiration for it among fans and the announcement of new NRL franchise the Perth Bears coming in 2027.
The angst is possibly the ugly ramification of a rift between Seven West media boss Kerry Stokes and the NRL's Peter V'landys, as well as the media organisation's bid to reduce any threats to stay atop the code war in an AFL dominated region.
V'landys recently appointed former West editor Anthony De Ceglie as the inaugural Bears chief executive to overlook the new franchise's success in the state.
That may not be as difficult a job as the newspaper wants the country to believe, with Wednesday's game bringing in almost 200,000 Perth TV viewers atop the crowd, proving broadcast interest is all on the rise.
The paper's editor Chris Dore was adamant when he told The Sydney Morning Herald the appetite for rugby league was non-existent in WA.
'No one outside of rugby league writers in Sydney cares. The point is rugby league is simply not a mainstream sport in this town,' Dore said.
'Just the facts. Good on them for having a crack here. We have nothing against the game despite the carry-on from [Peter] V'landys' acolytes in the Sydney media about our coverage.
'It's just not remotely main game and never will be.'
But the numbers say otherwise Chris. Don't fight it, this is happening
It's time to accept WA craves rugby league.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Storm claim golden point thriller
RLG: Despite an impressive fight back from South Sydney to force golden point, the Storm have found a way to win a golden point thriller with a Ryan Papenhuyzen field goal.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Did Saints take Nick Daicos tag too far?
AFL: The Fox Footy panel discuss Marcus Windhager's tag on Nick Daicos and get Collingwood coach Craig McRae's thoughts on it.
Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
England vs India first Test: Jofra Archer injury, Ashes dates, highlights
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. England captain Ben Stokes says Jofra Archer is 'absolutely desperate' to be involved in the upcoming home series against India and so revive a Test career that has been stalled for more than four years. Archer enjoyed a spectacular start with England in 2019. The Barbados-born fast bowler played a key role in the team's 50-over World Cup final win at Lord's and made his presence felt in a dramatic drawn Ashes series with Australia. For all his undeniable talent, a succession of injury problems have blighted the Sussex speedster's career. Archer played the last of his 13 Tests in February 2021. England have kept faith with Archer. He is due to make his first-class return for Sussex against Durham on Sunday as part of a plan that could see him feature during a five-match series with India that starts at Headingley on Friday. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Archer's latest rehabilitation has been delayed by a broken thumb, although that did not stop the 30-year-old pushing for what might have been a rushed return in last month's one-off Test against Zimbabwe. 'He's been absolutely desperate to put the white shirt back on,' Stokes told a pre-match press conference at Headingley on Thursday. 'Randomly, a couple of times, he would just send me a text saying, 'Zim?' 'I was like, 'let's just hold it there, all right. I know you're in a good spot right now, but let's not just rush into it'.' Stokes added: 'He's obviously had a horrific time with injuries, but he's had some good amount of cricket, albeit in the white-ball formats. 'It's really exciting for England, but also more exciting for Jof that he's in a position now where we're able to have a plan in place and hopefully him get through something to actually be considered for selection for Test cricket.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Express quick Archer's return would be a boost to England's attack as they prepare to face two major rivals over the next seven months, with an Ashes tour of Australia following the India series. Were he to become an Ashes-winning skipper 'Down Under', Stokes would join a select group of England captains, although the all-rounder himself says he is not concerned by his place in cricket history. 'Defining a career as England captain isn't something that I sit there and really think about, honestly,' he said. 'If that's what I'm really bothered about, in my opinion it's just completely and utterly selfish and that ain't me. 'jdg/pb Originally published as England vs India first Test: Jofra Archer eyes return after overcoming injury
