RUGBY league is flying. Not since the late 80s has there been so much excitement around the game. No matter where I go in Sydney, it's what everyone wants to talk about.

In fact along with The Voice, it's the only thing people want to talk about.

It's not just State of Origin, the NRL competition is a beauty.

Yes, we are yet to solve the problem of whether State of Origin matches should be stand alone fixtures as opposed to watering down sides during those weeks, but none the less, the quality and the unpredictability of the contests is fantastic.

On top of that the superstars are firing in 2012. The Dally M leader board is a who's who of rugby league: Cronk, Slater, Thurston, Marshall and Inglis.

How good is Greg Inglis going? How good are Souths going? And for that matter, the Sharkies.

And then of course, there's State of Origin which somehow manages to get bigger and better every single year. Each year we say the players have reached the limits of how far they can push themselves and how far they can take the level of the contest. But each year they find something extra again.

At the beginning of the series when the players' association asked for an increase in player payments for each Origin game to go from $20,000 to $50,000 I cringed, but judging by what the players have served up in Origin I and II, the powerbrokers should consider $50,000 to be a bloody good deal.

State of Origin III, the decider at Origin's spiritual home, Lang Park ... sorry, Suncorp Stadium, will be the biggest build-up to any rugby league game in 20 years.

Mal Meninga and Ricky Stuart deserve huge credit.

They have sold the series in a manner which origin concepts deserves. Haven't they just gotten stuck into one another?

Ricky's relentless sledging of Queensland has both irritated and distracted the Maroons and must be a painful reminder to anyone who has ever played against the former Canberra No.7 and was subjected to his on-field commentary which went the full 80 minutes and varied from humorous to hurtful, to just plain savage.

But if coach Stuart's sledging has irritated the Queenslanders, it's clearly inspired us Blues.

How else can you explain the record crowd at ANZ Stadium, creating a noise and atmosphere not seen since Cathy Freeman won Gold in 2000.

Record crowds, record television ratings, record interest.

Yes, the game is flying ... but we're only scratching the surface.

The greatest threat to rugby league isn't the AFL.

Super League gave AFL a foothold, but if we do things right, that foothold will become a slippery slide.

The greatest threat to rugby league is rugby league itself.

If rugby league was a country it would be Afghanistan.

A mass of warring tribes, constantly at one another with self-interest at the forefront of whatever is decided.

That's why rugby league always operates best under very strong leadership, a dictatorship.

John Quayle and Ken Arthurson were dictators and the game thrived.

David Gallop did a good job but the Super League War gave too many of the tribes too much power and he fought a constant battle to keep them under control.

John Grant and the Independent Commission are starting to make tough decisions. But the way CEO Gallop was removed could have absolutely been handled better.

But if it's an indication of how promptly decisions will be made if the Commission deems it for the betterment of the game, then it's encouraging.

The Commission needs to look at the way Ricky Stuart and Mal Meninga have sold this Origin Series to the public - and then act upon it out there in Clubland.

The fact that some clubs still impose media bans on teams or individuals at the mood of the head coach is a disgrace.

It's beyond belief they're still allowed to.

Rarely has a coach been under more pressure than Ricky Stuart heading into Origin II, but the importance of the game itself was never lost on him.

Fifteen minutes before a Superbowl, a starting NFL quarterback will allow himself to be interviewed, yet NRL clubs will shut down the media, sometimes four or five days before a match.

The NFL in America has seen its revenue explode because of allowing unprecedented media access to its clubs and its stars.

If the Rugby League Commission implemented similar media guidelines it would be the AFL's worst nightmare. Greater exposure and greater revenue.

We need to stop being our own worst enemy and start being the AFL's.

The AFL view us with humorous disregard, a minor obstacle to nationwide dominance.

But what of them? Seriously? Greater Western Sydney Giants?

I've never bumped into anyone who gives a damn.

The AFL tell us they will pump another $100 million into the Giants. Good stuff, money down the drain.

By the way, can't wait to see Israel Folau back in rugby league at the end of next year.

Sydney Swans? They are having a good year ... I think ... well, are they?

Rugby League? Flying.

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Originally published as We're living in footy's golden age