Fans have geared up for the biggest kickoff of the year as New South Wales and Queensland and gathered in their respective camps ahead of tonight’s much-anticipated State of Origin clash in Sydney.
While the Blues and Maroons warm up for the first of three Origin games, the fans have just as much work to do ahead of the sporting spectacle.
University of Wollongong senior lecturer and fan studies specialist, Dr Renée Middlemost said fandoms are mostly built by people who invest in community.
“Fandoms are centred around the experience of togetherness,” Dr Middlemost said.
“In sports fandoms, there’s a feeling of connectedness with others that a lot of people are missing in their day-to-day lives,
“It comes back to that feeling of wanting to share the fan object with someone else.”
According to Western Australia’s Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, nearly 75 per cent of Australian sports fans attribute decreased social isolation to following sports and attending live events.
However, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and Fare Australia, domestic violence rates increase by 40% on game nights compared to regular Wednesdays.
“There are issues already within broader society that are reflected and sometimes amplified within fandom,” Dr Middlemost said.
In coordination with the NRL, NSW Police is extending its “Always respect, always DrinkWise” campaign beyond sport venues to include patrols of surrounding suburbs on Origin nights.
Ahead of the first game, Blues fans are hoping for an initial win on home turf following two consecutive series losses to the Queensland Maroons.
Editor and founder of Battlers for Bush Footy Tallon Smith said while NRL marketing keeps footy culture alive, sport doesn’t have a product without invested fans.
“At the forefront of everything is a need to keep the fans happy,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s the culture that keeps the game alive.”
Last year, nearly 200,000 people attended a State of Origin game.
This year, ticket sale are projected to soar beyond 230,000.
Mr Smith said there is history in the phrase ‘State of Origin’.
“The whole concept is about representing a player’s junior club,” Mr Smith said.
“It emphasises the link from grassroots football through to Origin, the pinnacle of the game.
“Players represent their own, personal origin.”
Fans will be able to tune into the pre-game ceremony from 7 PM AEST on 9Now.
Ahead of the 8pm game, players will pay a State of Origin special tribute to their junior club.
