Call me a party pooper, but it never fails to amaze me watching crowd behaviour at a game of football, no matter what the code.

Take the Origin game the other night. Sure, the Queensland crowd was fired up, but really, how can they boo referee decisions – not occasionally, but every time he awards a penalty to the dreaded Blues.

The Brent Tate tackle on Jarryd Hayne is one example. You may remember in the first half when the Blues winger went flying down the sideline and with the cover coming across, put the ball on the toe, only to be tackled by Tate.

Deadset if Tate was any later Hayne could have grown a beard in between the time he kicked it and the time he was tackled.

Now I have no problem with Tate doing it, but the pro-Queensland crowd behaved like the referee had murdered one of the Maroon players. Amazing.

Now call me different, but I really enjoyed the game the other night. Sure it would have been great to see the home side win, but as a football supporter I got the best of both worlds.

This is what I got out of the game.

Firstly, how come Hazem El Masri had never have played for NSW before last week?

I have to admit that when he lined up that first goal from the sideline, I was hoping it would go over, not because I wanted the Blues to win, but simply because he is an ornament to the game of rugby league.

Not only did he stand up the other night, he’s done that through his career, on and off the field.

Through the turmoil at the Bulldogs, the guy has stood head and shoulders above most.

Secondly, I didn’t really mind that the Blues won because in my opinion the Maroons still had a moral victory.

Despite all the injuries that were going on, they really showed true grit and were in the game until the very end.

It was the last true test of what Mal and his coaching staff a have done with the side.

They passed with flying colours and have left an updated legacy of what Queensland is all about.

TODAY is the last game of the season for the Stingrays when they play Souths at Noosa and it is also coach David Clark’s last hurrah.

What a great job the rugby coach has done over the last three years in what has been a difficult assignment.

He always handles himself with dignity and is often good for a quote, one of which will stick with me forever.

He was talking about a poor performance and it went something like: “It is like when you go to a funeral. If you are serious, you don’t sit down the back of the church. You should get up the front with the relatives. Right in the thick of it.”

Just on that game at Noosa, I would have to ask why they wouldn’t have done a double-header with the Uni v Noosa game at University this afternoon rather than playing games at both ends of the Coast when I would think the bigger crowd will clearly at the local club game.

Apparently University was keen to host it but was out-voted.

THIS is loosely related to sport.

Buderim Wanderers stalwart Pete Williams may have a new career.

I don’t know whether you have seen the Cougar Bourbon ad on television, but the main character is Barry “The Cougar” Dawson who is a bit like a cross between Chuck Norris and Steven Seagal mixed in with Mr Bean.

Well “The Cougar” is a dead ringer for Pete. It is unbelievable.

Pete keeps himself pretty fit so maybe he can do some doubling for Barry if he injures himself.

NEXT Sunday, the Men of League Race Day is on at Corbould Park.

Thanks to the generous support of the Turf Club and its Chairman Les Geeves, the day is all about helping Men of League, which is a registered charity that supports ex-players, officials, referees and fans who may have suffered sickness or injury and need some support.

It’s always said that rugby league is a family; well here is your chance to help the extended family.

For $85 you can have some lunch and be entertained by Mark Forbes, who drives the charity and is a racing and league identity, as well as a couple of guest speakers.

It’s guaranteed to be great day. For tickets, ring Tegan 3849 7606.