With NSW now the undisputed rulers of State of Origin, let’s list every other field where we’re schooling the trousers off Queensland.
We’ve got better beaches, we’re better at organising Olympic Games, and in addition to breeding better footballers, we’ve even got *better looking* footballers.
Yep, NSW is the home of the first grade stud, and despite decades of mutual hatred with Queensland, it’s actually one thing we’ve always agreed on.
Sure, Queenslanders have recently preferred to label us “grubs” but only because of Paul Gallen’s “two heads” jibe and Spencer Leniu’s depraved act of lining up to receive a kick-off.
But prior to this, they fertilised the chip on their shoulders by stereotyping us as city slickers and pin-up boys.
In fact, Queensland’s last Census declared NSW to be 85% urban professionals, 45% metrosexuals, 19% silver spooners and 105% moisturiser.
In a nod to this cliche mongering, here’s the pick of NSW’s best centrefolds and yuppies.
Andrew Ettingshausen: One of the state’s most exquisite visages, ‘ET’ was so versatile you could post him at centre, at the back or even up front- and that was just in Cleo. Now hosts a fishing show where the gropers voluntarily leap in to the boat just to smell his cologne.
Andrew Ettingshausen on the run for NSW in the early 1990s.
Bryan Fletcher: Born and raised in Sydney’s East, ‘Fletch’ may not be a Mona Lisa in the looks department but is such an insular beachside city boy that he thinks Darlinghurst is the western suburbs.
Ryan Girdler: The Panthers centre was galaxies hotter than any Maroon even before he had his teeth redone. Despite being a regional South Coast boy, “Girds” was always a made-for-media slicker-in-waiting, aka the polar opposite of a Queenslander. Nowadays continues to emphatically confirm his anti-Maroon ways by running a coffee shop that doesn’t sell XXXX or firearms.
Luke Ricketson: The epitome of Sydney culture, “Ricko” was one of the first Blues to enter the field from behind a velvet rope. You don’t get this kinda metro suave in a place like Queensland that doesn’t offer stuff like a thriving social scene and running water.
Laurie Daley: He is a Blues icon as tough and revered as Tommy Raudonikis. Only difference, the sight of him wouldn’t scare your pets. Despite hailing from the country and having a beak that could smell an ant’s feet through a bushfire, “Loz” never looked out of place in any all-time Blues 1-12 (aka the annual hotties calendar).
Craig Wing: His smile is so stunning he was the first footballer hunted for ivory. While this meant he had to be smuggled in to Brisbane past all the opportunistic hillbillies at Origin time like one of Martin Kennedy’s exotic lizards, it also established him as an icon with Blues fans as much as it did with the glossies. Would you ever see a Queenslander strutting in pink strides on a catwalk? And no, Alfie naked on a table at the Brekky Creek Hotel doesn’t count.
Wayne Pearce: For a state surviving off eye candy diet of Sam Backo and Martin Bella, seeing “Junior” stride out in the 1980s must’ve been like a UFO sighting for Queenslanders. This absolute babe was a fitness influencer before the internet and smelt like cinnamon before it was discovered. Basically he was Balmain then before it was Balmain now.
Wayne Pearce on the run for the Balmain Tigers in 1985. (Photo by Getty Images)
Brad Fittler: From semi-rural prodigy at Penrith to beachside larrikin in Bondi all the way to the boho urban space cadet of today, ‘Freddy’ personifies Sydney by going through more image makeovers than a lonely Vaucluse housewife.
Trent Barrett: Ran second best to Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston, but only in footy. Unlike these champions of the arena, “Baz” didn’t have a scone that could’ve won best pumpkin at the state fair. In fact, his jawline is so strong and voluminous you could’ve transported the entire team inside down Caxton Street.
Braith Anasta: With his chiseled Mediterranean style and VIP membership at the tanning salon, Anasta is so ‘Sydney metropolitan’ that if he didn’t wax his chest hair it’d grow in the shape of the CBD street grid.
Andrew Johns: Responsible for one of the most iconic images in Blues history when he was snapped getting berated in camp by Phil Gould. Nobody will ever forget the sight of Joey that day; the ripped Ksubi cut-offs, the Diesel jacket and the Von Dutch trucker hat, a skater chic ensemble that was not only the style of the time but also NSW’s official team uniform.
Anthony Minichiello: A rig with negative 5% body fat surging with Italian blood that sits atop a set of sculpted legs that would make Baryshnikov weep. Mini could spend 80 minutes ricocheting around the paddock like Rat Pack crossfire and still walk off the field directly in to the red carpet launch of Justin Hemmes’ newest speakeasy.
