BY CURTIS WOODWARD

WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ORIGIN?

Andrew Johns is an immortal and when he speaks on matters like New South Wales Blues selection, people sit up and listen. Only problem is, it’s still February and again we’re hearing from Johns, Blues coach Laurie Daley and others about who should and shouldn’t be picked for Origin. On Tuesday Johns is backing Mitchell Pearce for the halfback gig and on Wednesday he’s supporting calls for Tyrone Peachey’s debut. Can we not see what happens in the NRL first?

We’re also hearing from Daley way too much. Obviously his coaching position is a full-time role and he doesn’t have much to do in February other than take calls from journalists desperate to get a quote on a slow news day.

Let’s remember Origin is a representative team and loyalty shouldn’t apply for a New South Wales side programmed to lose.

 
TIME TO CONSIDER WARRIORS SCHEDULE

If the New Zealand Warriors fail in 2017 they will have barely any excuses left. They have a bounty of superstars and if they don’t challenge for a premiership this year – when will they?

Let’s for a second throw up a hypothetical and say they falter again despite the likes of Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ben Matulino and Issac Luke on their list.

We have to recognise the geographical nightmare of an Auckland-based side in the NRL and all that travelling they do between airports, countries and footy grounds.

NBA Champions Cleveland Cavaliers are currently on a four game stretch at home but will then play six of their next seven on the road. Yes NBA teams play a whole lot more games throughout their season but why can’t we look at giving the Warriors monthly blocks of home and away games?

The last time the Warriors made the NRL grand final was 2011 and prior to the finals they played three home games in four weeks including three straight. They won all of those games on their way to the finals.

Some Sydney sides have it so much easier. The Panthers don’t leave Sydney until round 5 and six of their first eight games are local.

 
BRAVO OPPOSITION LEADER

Hats off to opposition leader Bill Shorten and his recent comments on fast-food advertising. I’ve written many articles on many websites about the impact fast-food advertising has on kids watching the footy and sport in general. Some PC mums and dads out there want to ban alcohol from advertising but that’s insane. No seven-year-old ever wanted to crack open a bottle of Bundaberg Rum because it’s painted onto the grass at Suncorp Stadium but that same seven-year-old might cry blue murder if he doesn’t get his cheeseburger and French fries from McDonald’s.

Another slight here is the terrible example our sport stars give when they endorse McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, KFC and the like. One minute our players are talking about how kids need to stay healthy, the next they’re on a commercial smashing down a bucket of deep-friend chicken.

Fast-food advertising now is as dangerous as tobacco advertising ever was.

 
LEGENDS COME SWINGING FOR BENNETT

Wayne Bennett hasn’t lost his “aura”. The great coach is just the victim of the NRL’s great equaliser – the salary cap.

 
SOME RAIDERS FANS UNHAPPY WITH OUR CALL

On Saturday I called the Raiders and Knights trial match in Queanbeyan with the The81stMinute Commentary Team and apparently a few Raiders fans weren’t happy with our performance. It’s hard enough keeping viewers interested in a trial match let alone when one side doesn’t care about it. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart scratched a number of stars before the game and rested the rest after about twenty minutes. The Knights played great footy and done a number on the Raiders running out 44-0 winners. What did you want us to say? Canberra don’t care, it’s just a trial?

Apparently everyone but Raiders supporters thought it was a great call.

Here’s what a few Reddit users thought:

“These commentators need full time gigs” – kruddmp

“Damn these commentators are great.” – Keith_Sheldon

“These blokes should replace rabs.” – Young_Rust

“i cant get over how refreshing they are” – Ranga_Richie

@woodward_curtis