When a pumped-up Billy Smith walked down the tunnel at Lang Park yelling ‘Queenslander! Queenslander!‘ some years ago now, he probably thought he was yelling for all of us.
And, ironically, the Courier Mail this morning ran the post-match headline, ‘We’re still Queenslanders’.
As if we were all part of some collective disappointment.
As if we were all proud of our players who were so gallant in defeat.
Queensland last night were outweighed, outpaced and arguably outclassed by a N.S.W outfit that had dominated them In the second State of Origin in Melbourne.
But with sheer guts and determination the Maroons held them scoreless in the first half and took a skinny two-nil lead into the half-time break.
The second half saw the relentless NSW attack breach the defence twice.
And when the final whistle blew, the score was 14 to 4 in favour of the blues.
That the difference after 80 minutes was only two converted tries was testimony to the spirit and commitment of the true Queenslanders. I thought we should have been proud of our team.
So I was disappointed to say the least to see that, within minutes of the end of the game, the Maroon sections of the Stand were almost deserted.
And when the Queensland captain, Daley Cherry-Evans, was called to the podium he was met by a loud and unopposed chorus of booing. It was an unworthy finale for a captain who has given great service to the Queensland State of Origin team.
He has played 26 Origin matches, captained the Maroons to three series wins and he was among the best defenders on the field last night.
It was a cold night at Suncorp Stadium and the Blues had proved they were the better side.
But our players deserved at least those few post-game minutes of support and appreciation that they were denied when their fans apparently retreated in ‘unseemly haste’ to the comfort and consolation of their warm suburban beds.
I found myself somewhat shamefully thinking, Queenslanders? Queenslanders?
Merv Welch, The Palms.
