I really don't agree with this. When your adversary has sunk to new lows, you do yourself no favours by wallowing with him. If you play with pigs, you only end up dirty. For five years Mal has been the perfect statesman of the game. Almost regal. The NSW media and players have practically ignored Queensland's remarkable achievements in order to congratulated themselves for almost-winning, and Mal has simply heaped praise on his players and the people of Queensland. Now, when he has recorded a winning streak twice as long as any other Origin coach can boast, he's decided to lower himself in order to return the cheap shots that have come his way this year.
His pride is hurt, and he's lashing out at everyone he can, despite the fact that he's had the last (and ultimate) laugh.
And really, what has he said here that hasn't already been addressed by the QLD media and past players? Thurston got off, and Taylor got longer than Uate because of his challenge to the charge and his record. The papers have already chastised NSW for not naming their team before Origin III.
As for his protest that the 'powerbrokers' were attacking his ability as a coach, and saying that he's a replaceable cog in the QLD machine - who said that apart from the Telegraph? There are people on this very forum who bleed maroon and acknowledge that Mal is less a strategist and more a figurehead and motivator, and that his assistant coaches are more responsible for the particulars of the game plan. And there's no shame in that. That formula has worked for six straight years.
By constantly referring to the trials and tribulations he's suffered this year, the article comes off as petulant sniffling.
I enjoyed reading about how the series epitomised Queensland's recovery from the floods, and using the floods as an allegory for the challenges facing his team. The win meant a lot for the state, and for the players. Had he stuck to that, the article would've been uplifting.
