Blatchy’s Blues given designated seating at Suncorp Stadium for Origin III

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FIRST Queensland gave up extra Origin games, now Maroons bosses have handed over the keys to the Cauldron for State of Origin. For the first time in 35 years of Origin history Queensland have given up their great home ground advantage by offering the official NSW supporter army, Blatchy’s Blues, a designated bay of seats for the Suncorp Stadium Origin III clash on July 8. Just three years after the Queensland government refused to pay for Origin games, the Queensland Rugby League have now sold out their own fans by giving up an entire section of the stadium for the enemy. Last year the Maroons issued price hikes that meant both Origin games were not sold out and deals were done to get Blues fans to the dead-rubber. Now they have gone and given NSW the biggest leg up of all by giving almost 4000 seats to their official army of fans. Now the “blue zone” will be full of wig-wearing Cockroaches who can sit together and create a mini-sea of sky blue that will help lift NSW as they tackle a task they have not known in almost a decade — defending an Origin crown. NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden last night said it was “lovely to feel welcome” at the Cauldron and expected the blue bay to help lift Laurie Daley’s team. “You can’t underestimate what that support gives to the team,” Trodden said. “If you want to judge the value the players place on it all you need to do is look at Jarryd Hayne’s reaction at the end of Origin two last year, when he was running the ball dead he ran straight to that group of supporters. His first instinct was to acknowledge them. “We’re hoping to get about 4000 to Melbourne for game two and 4000 to Brisbane for game three.” QRL managing director Rob Moore defended the move to allocate Blatchy’s Blues their own area of the stadium, claiming they were simply following a formula that had worked in Sydney and Melbourne. “We believe these sections enhance the atmosphere and the overall match-day experience for fans,” Moore said. “Ultimately, what the game is trying to achieve is consistency around the supporter bays for all three games. With designated supporter bays offered in Sydney and Melbourne, fans have asked about Brisbane and we’ve listened to them. “We’re trying to cater for all fans moving forward. Designated supporter bays will be available at all venues throughout the 2015 series and this will only add to the theatre that Origin is famous for.” Trodden said the NSWRL had been dealing directly with their QRL counterparts to get the designated bay, meaning Mal Meninga’s own bosses have been the ones to surrender to NSW demands. It is believed the number of seats allocated to Blues fans is similar to those offered to the Maroons at ANZ Stadium. The difference however is the NRL control ticketing in Sydney, not the NSWRL, but the QRL have all the power in Queensland and they opted to assist the Blues. The NSWRL bought the Blatchy’s Blues supporter group last year and lobbied to get access to tickets for their fans.

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Well that will raise the average IQ of the place :D

Blatchy’s Blues given designated seating at Suncorp Stadium for Origin III