MARK ’SPUDD’ CARROLL: Patrick Dangerfield leading AFL players call for State of Origin but it won’t work

I had to laugh when I clicked on The Nightly last week and read the AFL was keen to reintroduce State of Origin football to its annual fixture list.

After jealously watching rugby league’s Origin series grow into the monster it is over the past 45 years, Australian rules now wants a piece of the action.

And before all you Sherrin lovers come at me looking to cancel old Spudd and tell me I’ve had one concussion too many, I know league pinched the Origin concept from Aussie rules.

I also realise you blokes were staging Origin matches right up until the end of the last century.

But here’s the thing: you had it, you didn’t pay it enough love and you lost it.

There simply wasn’t enough passion for the concept and it died a slow death.

Clubs were reluctant to release players and there obviously wasn’t enough buy-in from supporters.

Perhaps the States just didn’t despise each other enough.

That’s never been a problem in rugby league.

The rivalry, hatred and hunger for Origin is still as strong today as it was when Artie Beetson landed one on clubmate Mick Cronin’s chin to christen the concept in 1980.

Queenslanders are a well-balanced lot. There’s a chip on each shoulder over the perceived injustices their footballers endured at the hands of cash-up Sydney clubs back in the day.

According to them, all their best players were wooed south from Brisbane to join the Sydney competition and “forced” to play for NSW when it came rep time.

State of Origin changed all that and the hostility built-up over decades became the fuel and ensured the animosity continues to this day.

In this era of sanitisation, Origin is unscripted mayhem.

It’s been that way for over 40 years.

Last year Joseph Suaalii was sent off for nearly decapitating Reece Walsh, copping a verbal spray from Queensland assistant coach Nate Myles as he left the field.

That set the tone for the series and led to the bench-clearing fight in game three that saw Blues 19th man Haumole Olakau’atu suspended for joining the melee while dressed in a suit.

Ok, it was a wild stuff. But you couldn’t keep your eyes off it.

State v State – mate v mate - hate v hate.

Fans circle the three Origin fixtures as soon as the draw comes out.

Heaven help anyone who tries to book a social outing for one of those nights

Birthdays, anniversaries, wakes … you name it, nothing comes between a league fan and Origin night.

I was fortunate enough to play in seven of them for the NSW Blues and savoured every minute.

It was the most intense football I ever played – and there was nothing more satisfying than beating those Queensland Cane Toads and seeing their fans cry.

I’m not sure if that sort of passion exists in the world of Australian rules.

Does WA have that same loathing for South Australia?

Would someone from Victoria cross the road to avoid a New South Wales supporter?

Are families divided along state lines?

They are when it comes to NSW v Queensland in the 13-man game.

So, my message to the AFL is this: Stick to your club footy and leave State of Origin to us leaguies.

Don’t embarrass yourselves.

We’ve got the recipe just right and don’t need you diluting the brand.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Donald Trump might not have joined the party but Peter V’landys and his team at NRL HQ have every right to celebrate another successful Vegas venture.

Apart from two Raiders boofheads going at it with an inflatable baseball bat (how embarrassing!), there was no real off-field drama to speak off and the games themselves went off smoothly.

And while many people snigger behind PVL’s back at his grandiose plans to have millions of Yanks tune into our game each week, I feel the critics are missing the point.

You and I know Americans have enough on their sporting plate without adding rugby league to their regular viewing diet.

Most of them still call it “rugby”, which drives me bloody mad.

But by opening the season in Vegas, the NRL is showing it has swagger along with ambition and confidence in its brand.

You can’t tell me other codes – AFL, I’m looking at you again – wouldn’t love the buzz and hype rugby league attracts by taking the game to Sin City.

It gives our game unprecedented exposure and sets the tone for the rest of the season.

It’s no coincidence the NRL celebrated record viewing figures last year on the back of the first Vegas adventure.

And if you think I’m angling for an invite to next year’s extravaganza, you’re right.

I can not only talk footy for hours but also strum a guitar and belt out a mean Hound Dog for all those Elvis lovers on the strip.

Thank you very much.