Round 10: Nostalgia Ain't What It Used To Be: A Look Back On the Heritage Round

Given Rugby League’s long and turbulent history – as well as its current position a fair way away from its roots – the concept of a Heritage Round is somewhat open to interpretation. This is probably why the NRL went with ‘Heritage’; the most generic of adjectives (as opposed to past themed rounds: Rivalry, 80s, 70s or 60s, where the new/merged teams have little relevance).

As a tribute to the contradictions and confusion in the ‘Heritage’ Round, below is this week’s Roast: a painstakingly researched and in-depth exploration of the state of Rugby League in Australia today and where the game is headed. And by that, I mean here is an adaptation of a widespread email forward (interspersed with game recaps) – enjoy!

You know you’re a Heritage Rugby League Supporter if…

You not only collected but still own several sets of Scanlens Footy Cards (extra points if the backs of these cards form a giant picture of a player and more extra points if you kept any chewing gum sticks).

You could run on the field after a game (possibly after entering the ground for free after half time).

You remember when grass was generally only seen on a footy field in March, maybe April, before dirt and mud took over.

You appreciate the irony of Bulldogs’ supporters feeling as though their team was heavily disadvantaged by a key refereeing decision (especially at Kogarah by Steve Clark).

Much has been said already about video referee Steve Clark’s abhorrent decision in the game’s final minute to deny the Bulldogs what would have been a famous win, but perhaps the most salient point left unsaid in the game’s aftermath was that allowing Idris’ try to stand would have been the first step in ending the pedantry which has enveloped officials’ decision-making in recent years. There might have been a very minor obstruction on Soward by Eastwood as Patten made the break, but to allow this decision to prevent a match-winning try…it left a bad taste in the mouth of Bulldogs’ supporters and most neutrals.

This was especially the case given the stirring nature of the Bulldogs’ comeback. They absorbed much pressure from the Dragons in the first half (although were let off the hook somewhat by a struggling Dragons’ attack) and slowly forced their way back into the game. They had to endure a questionable sin bin on Kimmorley before continuing the comeback. A memorable finish was building and did eventuate – but not as most anticipated.

However, the Bulldogs have long been beneficiaries of controversial refereeing decisions in big games, the most relevant of which came from Steve Clark – the video referee on Friday night – during his on-field referee days in a controversial semi-final at Kogarah in 1998. St George (note the exclusion of Illawarra here) with long memories (a tautology if ever there was one) would also be quick to note the Bulldogs’ good fortune in their 1985 grand final win, while most rugby league followers would also recall the unease at various refereeing blunders when the Bulldogs defeated Manly in 1995.

But for Steve Clark to help the Dragons out in such a big way: the Tuesday Roast could have been knocked over with a feather when this was realised. It just goes to show that everything with refereeing decisions does even out in the end (assuming you take a sufficient time horizon).

You fondly remember the ABC TV Saturday afternoon game, where characters such as John Peard and Debbie Spillane patrolled the sidelines.

There was a time in your life when a radio commentator going ‘around the grounds’ meant receiving scores from a host of games (not just one).

You remember when night games were exclusively played at Leichhardt Oval (and involved various players smudging black under their eyes).

Queensland was only a source of players for the Sydney competition and an opponent during State of Origin and not almost the epicentre of the game’s development and growth.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast met in the other Friday night game, at the stadium once known as Lang Park with (yet another) massive crowd. The size and growth of the game’s support across Queensland has seen Brisbane become a frequent fixture on Friday nights, while the Titans and Cowbores also enjoy huge support and there is growing momentum for perhaps several more Queensland-based teams: it’s hard to believe Queensland was ignored for so many years.

This fixture has delivered some excellent games since the Gold Coast’s re-introduction; while this one wasn’t quite as good as some others (and also not as controversial as the Bulldogs game), it was not without a fairly high level of play, despite both teams struggling somewhat in recent weeks.

Brisbane’s cause was helped somewhat by the loss of Bailey and Laffranchi from the Titans, but it still took Brisbane until well into the second half to ultimately seize control of this game. Was Brisbane’s cause helped by the late withdrawal of Justin Hodges? Perhaps, but it is unlikely that Hodges and his lackadaisical style would have been as successful as Israel Folau was in this game. Surely Brisbane has to find a way, when both are healthy, for both to be heavily involved in the game (and not for Folau to catch bombs on the wing).

You remember when judiciary hearings usually didn’t involve video evidence and sentences sometimes ended in months.

Quaint (read: dilapidated) grounds such as Lidcombe Oval, Pratten Park and Henson Park formed a part of your rugby league experience.

You can remember when didn’t need a degree to figure out the finals system.

The Roosters were called Easts and they had a coach not called Gibson, Gould or Stuart who had good job security.

You can remember a time when Cronulla wasn’t in some form of financial trouble (extra points for this one).

It was Easy Target night on Saturday. First up, the Roosters were once again easily beaten, although few would have beaten a rampant Newcastle on this night. Their affable coach Brad Fittler remains under pressure, as many Roosters coaches have over many years.

Finally, Cronulla once again tried hard but once again fell short, this time to Penrith. Penrith have long been guilty of playing down to lowly teams at home, but even they couldn’t lose this one (the Roosters on Saturday night will provide another challenge for Penrith). Many of you would have seen the Sharks jokes in recent days, but there are many laughs to be had with even a casual glimpse at the history of the Sharks. You’d imagine the Dragons will aim to take great joy in making things a bit worse for them this weekend (although why oh why does Justin Poore want to leave such a great situation to play with Cronulla?)

Under 20’s didn’t play before first grade, or reserve grade, or even third grade and they certainly weren’t on TV.

You remember when positions and numbers on the back of jerseys actually meant something.

Sunday’s big game was at 6.30pm (not 4pm) and you were always interested to see each try-scorer’s occupation.

You remember when running with the wind was actually an advantage (i.e. when players developed smarts and were not just athletes).

There was a howling gale and rain at Auckland on Sunday afternoon, but what should have boosted the Warriors’ chances of success was having experienced Stacey Jones at halfback. The Warriors ran with the wind at their back in the first half, but rarely looked like knowing how best to utilise such an advantage. A long Jones kick in about the 5th minute was chased through well by Kemp but a try just eluded his grasp. After that, it was a brainless half of play by the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Feral Thurston was nothing short of brilliant. His kicking game into the wind was exceptional, he was given excellent support by a much-maligned forward pack and he scored yet another try with a dummy close to the line. However, the Warriors somehow found their way to within four points of the Cowbores, partly due to increased rain gifting the Warriors some excellent attacking possession and partly due to some refereeing mistakes.

A combination of poor Warriors attack and still-solid defence saw the Cowbores escape with their line intact before a flying finish saw them thrash the Warriors. The Warriors made Ashley Graham look like Israel Folau then an amazing try by Farrer and one to Bowen ended the scoring. However, each of these tries became six-pointers thanks to the Feral, whose brilliant goal-kicking in difficult conditions was another highlight.

Players of Maori or Islander descent were a novelty, not four or five to a team.

You remember when there were far fewer contracts but far more loyalty.

You remember when the game’s governing body cared more about people going to games rather than how many of them watch games on TV.

Players were in Tooheys ads, not Gatorade ads.

How the mighty have fallen: once upon a time, Manly against Parramatta was worthy of a beer commercial but was almost always a Channel 9 game in recent years. The slow start for both of these teams saw them relegated to Fox, but for Manly, they might just be in line for more Channel 9 games in coming months.

Why is this? In short, they finally appear to have learnt how to play without Brett Stewart. Their forwards looked angry, which allowed Orford to play at a higher level (admittedly it would have been tough for him to play any worse), while Bailey and Shane Rodney also performed well.

But most importantly was that Michael Robertson seems to have finally figured out how to play as a Brett Stewart clone. He’s not nearly as good as Stewart, but Stewart’s game is not a difficult one for any half-decent player to mimic. However, Manly’s progress will need to be confirmed, as Parramatta was not near their best and lost two players to injury in the first half.

You remember when betting on Rugby League meant trying to make a motza by picking the winners at the TAB, not being bombarded by betting agencies’ ads during games.

You didn’t need to apply for a loan to attend a game complete with food and drinks, or buy some merchandise.

You remember when players wore shoulder pads and loose jerseys.

The SCG was home to ALL the big games.

The final game on Sunday saw Wests Tigers and Souths clash at the SCG. This game probably would have been better off at the SFS, given the major changes at the SCG in recent years and the fact that Wests Tigers didn’t exist in 1969. Nevertheless, it was a fairly entertaining game, as the flamboyant Tigers took on the more traditional Rabbitohs.

For much of the game, it appeared as though Souths’ efforts would count for little. The Tigers’ defence was solid but Souths’ defence mostly failed to prevent several staples of the Tigers’ attacking game. As a result, Robbie Farah had an excellent game…but the Tigers failed to put the game out of reach, despite several excellent opportunities to do so in the game’s final 15 minutes.

This allowed Souths a small hope to come back; this hope was made smaller when their halfback Sandow sustained an injury. But somehow Souths found two converted tries to eliminate the Tigers’ lead. Golden Point looked set to favour the Tigers given greater depth in field goal kicking, but incredibly Souths stole the win in the final seconds before Golden Point after a field goal from…Nathan Merritt?!?!?! Merritt’s long-range wide-out field goal could not have been hit more sweetly. For Souths, another come-from-behind win, but for the Teflon Tigers – who escaped criticism for their attractive but frustrating loss – they really should have won this one.

There were Kangaroo TOURS not just Kangaroo matches.

There were clubs and teams, not brands.

There were jerseys made out of cotton, not thin bits of polyester with colours and sponsors splashed around.

There was Sydney and there was Melbourne, each with their code of football. Melbourne’s only purpose was to host occasional exhibition games.

I guess you could last night’s game in Melbourne was an exhibition game; Canberra was not nearly in the same class as the Storm. Canberra started strongly and looked keen for an upset and a very rare win over Melbourne, but once Melbourne responded, Canberra’s challenge fell to pieces. It took longer than some might have predicted, but it was a very easy win for the Storm.

And so ends the Heritage Roast. Feel free to add your own Heritage memories, otherwise see you next week.

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