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 Daley has a capital idea for next game 

Daley has a capital idea for next game

03 Feb, 2012 03:00 AM
Indigenous coach Laurie Daley admits he was unsure before the inaugural All Stars game in 2010 whether the concept would survive more than one year.

Now Daley believes Preston Campbell's brainchild has been so successful he wants to take it to Canberra - for political as well as football purposes.

While the former Raiders great has personal reasons for wanting to play the annual clash in the nation's capital, he said it would send a positive message about reconciliation after the ugly scenes there on Australia Day.

"It is unfortunate what happened and it wasn't a great look, but this game certainly generates a lot of publicity for the right reasons," Daley said.

"I think this is the greatest example of practical reconciliation we have because we play against these guys and it is played in the right manner and the right spirit."

The Queensland Government has committed funding to keep the All Stars match in the state next year but after that it could be open to tender.

"I think being in the capital would be sensational," Daley said. "It could be an opportunity for the ACT or Federal Government to get behind it and place it down there.

"I would certainly love to see it in Canberra. It is a great place and they love their footy down there. There is the political side of it as well."

Yet when the concept was initially announced, Daley had his doubts about how long the All Stars match would last.

Daley was a spectator at the first clash and he said most of the crowd that night were unsure whether they were going to witness a contest or an exhibition match.

A big hit in the early exchanges by English forward Sam Burgess on Campbell demonstrated that both teams were taking the match seriously and Daley said the All Stars concept would survive for as long as it was played in that manner.

"I actually thought if they take it fair dinkum it would be a great game but I was unsure if that would be the case," Daley said.

"I knew the Indigenous boys would embrace it but I wasn't sure what the All Stars were playing for and what would be their motivation. I think the whole crowd were the same and then the kick-off came, and there was some big hits.

"The best thing about it was probably Preston getting smashed by Sam Burgess.

"I think that was the moment that people realised it wasn't a Mickey Mouse game because here he was - the brains behind the whole concept and the littlest player on the field running into the biggest player on the field - but Sammy didn't care, and rightly so."

However, Daley acknowledged that the work the players did off the field with Indigenous youth was more important than the result of tomorrow night's game.

"Our boys all want to make a difference. They encourage the kids that you have got to lead a better lifestyle, you have got to eat better, you have got to get sleep, you have got to go to school and if you go to school you can get a job and earn money, buy a car and wear the nice clothes."

Daley, who is a member of the Wiradjuri tribe from southern NSW said the experience had also encouraged him to learn more about his ancestry.

"I have gone back into the family tree a bit and more so just spoke to my own family about different things - great grandmothers, where they were from, who we are related to and all of that sort of stuff," he said.

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Former Raiders star and All Stars coach Laurie Daley says the All Stars game would suit Canberra for a number of reasons, including pushing the cause of reconciliation.
Former Raiders star and All Stars coach Laurie Daley says the All Stars game would suit Canberra for a number of reasons, including pushing the cause of reconciliation.

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