WE’RE PUMPED UP FOR ORIGIN
FOURTEEN- YEAR- OLD Erin Bryant is a fanatical Queensland supporter and she is revving up for tomorrow’s opening State of Origin game. The excitement building for the annual interstate series has sparked renewed calls for Townsville to host a game in the 2020 series at the new CBD stadium.
TOWNSVILLE civic leaders and footy fans have put the call out for a State of Origin clash to head North in 2020.
It’s hoped Townsville could host an Origin game in the new, 25,000- seat stadium when it opens in 2020.
Mayor Jenny Hill said a State of Origin game in Townsville would be hugely popular.
“We’re great supporters of the Cowboys and rugby league. North Queenslanders love their sport so it would be nice of the NRL to acknowledge that with a one- off State of Origin,” she said.
Queensland Rugby League have already thrown their support behind the idea, recommending Townsville for a 2020 game.
The NRL has sold a game to Melbourne in 2018 and Perth in 2019 but the 2020 schedule is yet to be decided.
Fierce Maroons supporter Erin Bry- ant, 14, said she would love to see Queensland bring home a win in her home town.
“I’ve never been to an Origin game and it would be great to go to one here in Townsville,” she said.
“Everyone in Townsville loves rugby league so I think it would be popular.
“If it comes to Townsville I definitely want to go.”
Townsville Enterprise tourism and events director Bridget Woods said the benefits of an Origin clash being held in Townsville would be huge.
“We are very supportive of this initiative and feel it would be a huge boost to not only our city but the whole of North Queensland,” she said.
“We’re confident good sponsorship would come out of this game.
“We know North Queenslanders are passionate rugby league supporters and we believe we deserve priority ahead of Melbourne and Perth because the pas- sion for the sport is definitely in our region.
“It would provide a huge boost to our economy and there would be a worldclass facility to hold the game in.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said hosting a State of Origin game would help increase the following of rugby league in the North.
“I will push as hard as I can to get this happening,” he said.
“We just have to convince the powerbrokers of the NRL to think beyond the dollars and think how they can use this as an opportunity too boost the game in the northern part of Australia.”
North Queensland Cowboys player Michael Morgan said the stadium along with the events it will attract will help to breathe life back into the city.
“It makes me think of when we play in Brisbane against the Broncos and everyone is in the city in their team gear, it has a game- day feel,” he said.