THE RL1908 BLOG
News, Reviews & Opinion - Sean Fagan - RL1908.com
| CITY v COUNTRY - TIME TO FAREWELL A TRADITION? |
 Anyone who watched the 2007 "City v Country" fixture will have little doubt that the future of the contest on the season's calendar has to be questioned - particularly if it is to be squeezed in to the schedule on a Thursday night (not the best night for regional crowds).
I was born in Wagga Wagga in south-western NSW, and in past years have cheered on "Country" - I've argued over recent seasons that the game has to be played, as it gives recognition to the contribution of
rural cities and towns of NSW to our code.
But after the 2007 match, where the teams were given one training run, and the pounding it has taken from the media, coaches and many critics, I think something has died in this once great tradition.
Other ways need to be found to aid country football in NSW and Queensland - I'm not convinced the City v Country match in NSW (given the way it has been treated) can be sustained.
Let's play the City v Country game again in 2008 - put it on at the SCG, invite every former Country and City player and their families - turn it into a celebration of the history of "City v Country" and the contribution of NSW rural footballers to the centenary of rugby league.
Let's make it a big farewell party, and give "City v Country" the send-off it fairly deserves.
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