The Serve

March 30 marked the 10^th anniversary of the start of Super League, arguably the most decisive and destructive time rugby league has ever seen. Many of the protagonists have publicly provided their views, but Dan Ginnane scored a rare one on one interview with Super League itself.

Dan Ginnane: Thanks for spending some time with us, I know you’ve got a busy schedule. Ten years, it’s a long time, what did you do to mark the occasion.

Super League: Well, I’ve got to say it was a time of deep reflection. I sat down with a quiet brandy and put on the tape of what was one of our really fine moments, the World Club Challenge final.
DG: That’s right. Who won it again?

SL: Couldn’t tell you. I polished off the bottle before half time.

DG: When it all started in 1995, it was all about being pioneers and giving fans something they’d never seen before. Would you say mission accomplished?

SL: Absolutely.

DG: Really?

SL: Oh OK, I can see we’re dealing with an ARL stooge here. Well, let me throw these apples your way. The World Nines, The Hunter Mariners, Willie Nelson, The Tri Series. I can keep going….. Paris Saint Germain, Super League Japan. Stop me anytime you like….

DG: But aren’t they all finished?

SL: Son, they’re on what we call ‘hiatus’. And a bit more respect for Willie if you don’t mind. He was a great fella once we sorted out his financial dispute

DG: Yeah, didn’t you promise him a million dollars?

SL: See, that’s what he thought too. What we actually told him was ‘we’d make him a millionaire’ again after his tax dramas. So we bought him a million dollars worth of shares in Optus Vision. Gee that was a handy tax write off, and it kept us in stitches for weeks.

DG: Understandable. Perhaps your boldest claim was when you said players would be household names in China.

SL: Yep, and late last year Andrew Ettingshausen went to Beijing for that little show he does. Something about fishing, I think. Anyway he’s walking down the main drag when he gets absolutely swamped for autographs. Swamped. I mean, sure, they were all holding open that magazine with the nude picture he got 350k for, but he’s a hero over there, and I think that says something.

DG: Sure. What other moments stick out?

SL: Well, because of the split competition, it was sometimes hard to get ample coverage in the media, you know, the media we didn’t control, but I do remember the time we went front page right across the country when Penrith upset Canterbury after that splendid minor semi final at Belmore.

DG: Wasn’t that because of a crowd riot?

SL: It sure was, and the Bulldogs have had plenty more since. But you see, no one remembers who started that. We were all about crowd interaction. Another thing I found funny was when people went on and on about last years final in Townsville. But they all forget that we in fact played our major semi there in 1997. And If I remember correctly, that was the only sporting event happening that night anywhere in the country.

DG: Wasn’t that because of Princess Diana’s funeral?

SL: (Sigh) It’s just the ‘the glass half empty’ with you isn’t it? Let me get you some Anthony Robbins tapes from upstairs.

DG: Can I throw some names at you and get an opinion?

SL: Better be quick mate, they’re about to replay the Warriors and the Tigers on Fox.

DG: John Ribot.

SL: Great bloke and great administrator. I always said that man was on a one way train ride straight to the top. Been a while since we’ve spoken actually, what’s he doing now?

DG: I believe he’s heading up Queensland soccer.

SL: Oh dear.

DG: John Quayle and Ken Arthurson.

SL: Huh! Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. Geez they were annoying little buggers. I remember we sent them an invitation to our grand final, you know, free flight, corporate box, free booze, the whole shebang, and they didn’t even r.s.v.p. There is a way to treat people you know.

DG: Phil Gould.

SL: Phil! I get royalties every time he mentions me in his newspaper column. We’re thinking of calling the cruiser ‘Gus’ in his honour.

DG: The Melbourne Storm?

SL: The Melbourne who?

DG: The Storm. The team that won the premiership in 99.

SL: Christ, are they still around? Don’t blame me for that.

DG: Thanks for your time.

SL: Can I have my cheque now?