Now don’t get me wrong — I love watching the footy.
But it seems some people love it just a little too much. The intensity builds, the passion spikes, and for most of us that’s part of what makes it great.
State of Origin (for our international friends: a fiercely contested rugby league series between New South Wales and Queensland — think of it as Australia’s biggest domestic sporting rivalry), locked at 1-all. Close competition, great spirit, real anticipation. What’s not to love?
But here’s what troubles me.
While millions of us are enjoying the spectacle, the statistics tell a darker story. Domestic violence incidents in NSW spike by over 40% on State of Origin game nights. Not after a loss. Not only when things go wrong. Just… on game night.
That’s not a footy problem. That’s an emotions problem.
And it’s a reminder that when we can’t regulate what’s going on inside us — the frustration, the intensity, the pressure — we’re always at risk of it spilling out onto the people around us. The people we love most.
Footy is meant to bring us together. For most of us, it does. But if you’re someone who finds that your emotions get away from you — not just on game night, but in everyday life — it might be worth paying attention to that.
What the Data Actually Shows
That 40% figure isn’t anecdotal — it comes from a rigorous six-year study. The Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR) at La Trobe University analysed recorded assault data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) across State of Origin game nights from 2012 to 2017. What they found was striking: a 40.7% average increase in domestic assaults across New South Wales in the 12-hour window between 6pm and 6am on game nights. Non-domestic assaults rose even more sharply — by 71.8%. (Source: CAPR / La Trobe University via BOCSAR, 2018; Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education — fare.org.au)
Importantly, the same spike was not observed in Victoria during the same period — a state with far less investment in rugby league. Researchers used this as a comparison point, and the contrast speaks for itself. (Source: CAPR / La Trobe University via BOCSAR, 2018)
And it’s not just State of Origin. Victoria Police recorded a 20% increase in family violence callouts on AFL Grand Final night. In 2021, No To Violence — a support line for men seeking help with their behaviour — reported a 34% rise in referrals in the week following the AFL Grand Final. (Sources: Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education — fare.org.au; Mamamia — mamamia.com.au)
Researchers also point to alcohol as a significant factor. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education notes that alcohol is involved in up to half of all domestic violence reports made to police in Australia — and on nights when heavy drinking is practically part of the event, the risk compounds. (Source: FARE — fare.org.au)
This Isn’t About Footy
It bears repeating: State of Origin doesn’t cause violence. People’s inability to manage their emotional responses does.
The game is the same for everyone watching. The vast majority go home, debrief with their mates, maybe feel disappointed if their team lost — and that’s where it ends. But for some, the intensity of the night becomes a trigger. The emotional dial gets turned up, the internal pressure builds, and without the tools to manage it, that pressure finds somewhere to go.
That pattern — emotional intensity leading to loss of control — rarely stays confined to footy night. It shows up in traffic. In arguments at work. In moments with partners and children that leave everyone worse off.
You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck in That Pattern
If any of this resonates with you — if you recognise that your emotions sometimes get away from you, that you react in ways you later regret, or that the people around you seem to walk on eggshells — please know that help is available, and it’s more accessible than you might think.
Anger and emotional dysregulation are not personality flaws. They’re patterns, and patterns can be changed.
Here are two ways to take a first step:
🎯 Try Anger Management Hacks — Tony’s online program designed to give you real, practical tools for getting on top of your emotions. Not sure if it’s for you? Watch a free class first, no commitment required. [Access the Free Class Here]
📞 Talk to Coach Tony directly — If you’d prefer something more personal, Tony offers one-on-one coaching tailored to your specific situation. A confidential, no-judgement conversation could be the beginning of real change. [0731774802] or use the Contact Form HERE
Whichever path feels right, the most important step is the first one.