Every year when NSW and Queensland face off for rugby league’s marquee event – State of Origin – it gets my hackles up.

That a rival code has taken something so precious which had its genesis in Australian football, and now is the undisputed custodian of the concept, is more than a little irritating. Frankly, it’s galling.

In October this year it will be 45 years since WA trounced Victoria in the first State of Origin battle at Subiaco Oval. Sick of seeing Sandgropers wearing the Big V guernsey in “State” matches local football administrator Leon Larkin floated the idea of players representing their home State.

When WA thrashed Victoria by 94 points it was one of the great days for the Black Swan.

It evolved into a traditional mid-season Tuesday fixture at Subiaco Oval when many people pulled a ‘sickie’ to be at the game. Parochial West Australians were pumped when the locals won epic encounters in 1983, 1984 and 1986.

Sadly, the appetite for this wonderful concept waned and eventually disappeared into the abyss as the VFL morphed into a national competition. The price of progress?

So, it is with a high degree of envy that Rugby League showcases its three-match series. Hell, just to rub our noses in it, they’re even playing these matches at Optus Stadium and the State Government is under-writing it!

With that in mind, wandering around the streets of Adelaide in  the last 24 hours, there has been a sense of payback. That Australian football has “borrowed” a NRL initiative and transplanted it into one of our game’s heartlands has been somewhat satisfying.

The NRL launched Magic Round in Brisbane last year playing all eight matches at Suncorp Stadium; a festival of their game (I can’t bring myself call it football) in the one city in May last year.

It seemed like a pretty good idea and AFL CEO Gill McLachlan liked it so much he hitched his wagon to it. The result, we have Gather Round playing out in Adelaide over four days. It started on Thursday night and will climax on Sunday.

While the fervour around the event is a long way from emulating the passion and pride of State of Origin, the indicators are that this could be a winner. Fans from all parts of the country have descended on the City of Churches.

Matches have and will be played at a variety of venues around Adelaide and the influx of footy fans into the State has been clearly visible. The city has bubbled, the energy palpable as supporters of 16 visiting clubs have worn their colours with pride.

Initially, the AFL sought expressions of interest from State Governments prepared to host this football extravaganza. NSW was the early front-runner, viewed as an opportunity to further promote and grow the game in the tough northern market.

But SA premier Peter Malinauskas had other ideas and could see the commercial and tourism benefits from launching a bid that was ultimately successful. Judging by the rainbow of football colours through the city it has been a worthy investment.

For the West Coast Eagles its match with Geelong will be played on Sunday at the Adelaide Oval. That’s something of a bonus, having an away game against the Cats at a venue other than GMHBA Stadium.

Since 2006, when the Eagles produced an extraordinary comeback after trailing by nine goals to win by three points, the Cattery hasn’t been a happy place for the club.

Hopefully the Adelaide Oval memories will continue to grow. It’s always a good vibe at a ground that has been host to some great moments in recent history and there should be a strong contingent of those in blue and gold.

Certainly that was the case when the travelling party landed in Adelaide yesterday and then went immediately to two separate and concurrent community events.

That does not normally happen – and neither does an open training session today. The captain’s run is usually held behind closed doors, but all clubs threw it open this week to engage fans.

It created a carnival atmosphere and the players embraced it.

Hopefully this concept continues to build and helps to grow the game. It would be folly to assume Australian football’s presence at the top of the sporting tree without promotions of this nature.

Can’t wait to see the Gather Round caravan hit Perth.

Over to you Mr Premier.