Glass houses to a glass jaw: Why Slater went too far in the Origin theatre
The first victim of State of Origin is context.
For all the record ratings that the marquee series is able to generate come kick-off, it can be difficult to move the needle beforehand. The current series has been a hard sell for the beat reporters struggling to manufacture clicks.
The players we most want to hear from, Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu, have slapped media bans on themselves; the opening encounter, at least as a spectacle, was not a patch on the absolute blockbuster finale that decided last year's series; and NSW basing themselves in the Blue Mountains has made the squad less accessible to a media contingent attempting to find some flames to fan.
The Blues' recent domination, coupled with limited access, is another contributing factor to making the Perth clash a tough sell.
So it was in this context that Aaron Woods, in an attempt to spark some interest and banter, got on the airwaves for his employers at Triple M and said the following.
'I want to see the real Billy Slater come out - the grub that we know of,' Woods said. 'This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension.'
Given it was delivered on radio, we'll never know if it was done with a serious face. Regardless, it was an attempt to spark interest in the series, via a cheeky barb at a player who sometimes pushed boundaries on the field.
It was blokey, jokey and even a little hokey.
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Led when second at Beaudesert six week later then just caught by Rick For Reward at Ballina last start. CASTERLY ROCK (3) was held up on the home turn when third to Jillaroo at Doomben last start. Bet: Silent Call to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: BRIMS CONCRETE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m SAXINOUE (1) settled well back before closing off nicely despite finishing seventh when resuming over 1200m at Grafton. Jumps up to 1550m. He is unbeaten second-up including a win here on his home track. ALL ABOUT ARTIE (5) has had a long campaign which started with a win at Ipswich in January and he continues to race well. Was a three-quarter length third at Warwick two starts back before a half-length second to Monastery at Ballina. BETTER YET (4) drop sin grade from his win and fourth at Ipswich at his past two starts. Bet: Saxinoue to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: RIVERVIEW HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m INSINUATE (3) recorded her maiden win over this track and distance in February. After a couple of unplaced Eagle Farm runs, dropped back to country grade with a big win at Casino followed by a third last start both over 1400m. RAINBOW LASS (5) was just pipped at Ballina before winning her next two starts nicely at Casino over 1000m and 1200m. Up to 1550m for the first time which is a query but her dam won up to 1600m so worth a try. CAPITAL BOSS (1) has claims on his Gold Coast two starts back. Bet: Insinuate to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1200m LUCKY NEKO (11) was caught three-wide without cover when fifth to Ultimate Say at Grafton first-up. Jumped straight to the front and scored by over a length from Rock The Machine over 1400m at Casino last start. Drops back to 1200m but drawn well and gets a 2kg claim again. FLAME TREE STAR (3) resumes here and has placed in both first-up runs. Was beaten a short half head by Neil over 1100m fresh up last time in. 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