New title for Gunnedah author and journalist

State of Origin rugby league fans gathered at the Next Edition Café & Book Store last Thursday to hear from established author and Gunnedah Times sports reporter, Liam Hauser.

Mr Hauser launched his new book – State of Origin 45 years – the fourth volume in the series which documents every year of Origin football up to last year.

The Gunnedah-based author, who has also written books on Test cricket and rugby league grand finals, said his latest Origin release explores a theme of “the fine line between winning and losing”.

Having read other sporting books, Mr Hauser said his books were motivated by a desire to present his version of each game but from an objective and in-depth point of view.

“Sometimes when I’ve read other reports of Origin matches, I think they don’t reflect the game that I saw,” he said.

“Many writers are very selective with what they include, whereas I like to explore the flow of the game from start to finish.

“If I see something differently from what others have said or written, I report it so … trying to be original and authentic.

“Regardless of what the scoreboard says, the difference between winning and losing is very small in Origin football.”

Mr Hauser said rewatching the game but knowing the result allowed a more “reflective” analysis of match events as they unfolded, particularly when doing the review either months or years after the fixture took place.

“You see it a bit more objectively in that case,” he said.

“When you watch the game live, usually the emotion is raw and this can easily cloud one’s view of the game.

“I think that often affects the reporting too, because a lot of the reporting is done either during the game or very soon after the game.

“When the dust has settled, you can see things with a more balanced view.”

Young footy fans and those young-at-heart lapped up Mr Hauser’s Origin insight at the book launch evening.

The author fielded questions in everything from his favourite Origin series (which he named as Queensland’s 3-0 whitewash of NSW in 1995 as one of the best), to the future of the Origin concept and how it’s evolved over the years.

Mr Hauser also spoke about the challenging nature of book publishing, explaining that at least 95 per cent of manuscripts submitted to publishers are rejected.

Book store operator Phoebe Neil said the book launch was one of the first since its re-opening under new ownership a few weeks ago.

“It is great to see local people coming in to support us,” Ms Neil said.

The bookshop was thrilled to host the Gunnedah author, even setting up a Blues-Maroons window display – complete with jerseys – to showcase the new Origin title now available.

Mr Hauser, who originally hails from Queensland, was equally proud to launch the book from his adopted hometown.

“I’m keen to support the local book store,” he said. “It’s an important part of our local community.”