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Despite going down in Game 3 and missing the chance to flush the thing blue like a fresh Toilet Duck in a pristine bowl, the Blues were still grinning last night after finishing the Origin series ahead for the first time in eight years.
Here’s the report card for every player that took part in the campaign and their performance rating across the three games.
Check out The Roar’s Queensland player ratings
Jarryd Hayne – 9
Started the campaign as a senior squad member without a taste of triumph and then ended it with talk of playing NFL. It seems he has done enough in this series to have clocked footy. Put simply, this is a series that will define his career.
Brett Morris – 4
Added his usual polish to the flank in game one, but after making some body origami when crashing over for a try, he spent the rest of the series in team tracky daks.
James McManus – 4
Made some valiant try-saving tackles in the first half of Game 3 and helped his forwards with some pressure-relieving carries, however never threatened for the Blues in their limited attacking opportunities.
Michael Jennings – 5
Only featured in the first two games where his side of the street in attack was quieter than the Dunedoo main at midnight. However, he kept Justin Hodges honest and met his all-important KPIs early in sets on offense.
Josh Dugan – 6
There’s much we’ve learnt about this human mural in the series; he’s not as bad at centre as first thought, plus he lives in a granny flat at his in-laws house and loves to catch bush turkies with his broken pinkie. An impressive performance over two games that won admirers as well as a possible audition call for Duck Dynasty.
Will Hopoate – 4
Toughed it out in Game 2 after sustaining a busted arm that was left momentarily dangling like he was doing a budget version of the robot dance. Barring any kind of religious apocalypse, his silky moves will be back for more next year.
Josh Morris – 6
Produced an iconic tackle in Game 1 that will eventually surpass the moon landing for historical relevance. On one leg, he brushed off Ronnie Palmer and cover-defended his way in to the next 35 Origin montages. It was so ‘Queensland passion’ that you could’ve photo-shopped Wally’s head on to it and nobody would’ve noticed. Performed other football-related feats across his two games, however unfortunately they didn’t make the cut for this review.
Daniel Tupou – 6
Who would’ve thunk this quietly-spoken rookie would’ve featured in all three games of a winning series? Good work youngster, you kept your name out of the long line of failed Blues wingers, and that’s nearly as good as winning the shield itself.
Josh Reynolds – 6
He’s clearly been in a race with Beau Scott for the first Queensland travel embargo of 2014, but after getting himself reported twice for the series, I think we have a winner. By the way, he played a bit of footy too.
Yeah, for real!
Trent Hodkinson – 6
No more crying on the roadside for the sprinkler enthusiast. Son, you’re an Origin winner now! Although he distributed steadily, probed rarely and kicked unspectacularly, he now truly returns to coach Des Hasler’s program as bona fide quarterback material.
James Tamou – 6
While he didn’t bend the line with as great regularity as his debut series, he still showed his qualities as a reliable prop with the ability to drive sober and upset his club captain with undercutting public statements.
Robbie Farah – 7
Tackled himself to a stupor, thus contributing robustly to the destruction of the evil empire. However, even after finally breaking through, you feel he would give it all up just to take on Cameron Smith one-on-one at a packed Suncorp and beat him in a game of Connect 4.
Aaron Woods – 7
Don’t worry, Woodsy. I believe you when you say that ball didn’t touch your chest from the restart when the stakes were high in Game 2! In saying this, I also believe informercial product guarantees and politician’s promises. Despite your lies making Pinocchio’s nose like Laurie Daley’s, you still did bloody good.
Ryan Hoffman – 7
The Storm backrower is an unsung hero who doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves. Regretfully for him, I’m on a strict word quota, so I’m not about to start now.
Beau Scott – 6
Not one of the more popular picks pre-series, but disproved the doubters as a beacon in defence over the three games. Best remembered for needing a minder to sleep with him in his hotel room after continually having nightmares about touching Nate Myles’ beard in game one.
Paul Gallen – 9
I agree with those who say that erecting a statue of Gallen as a tribute is wrong. What’s really required is a casino named in his honour with his faced carved out in sandstone in the foyer in a ‘Mount Rushmore’ motif. Make it happen, NRL, or I’ll riot through Fox Studios like a South American.
Greg Bird – 6
Missed the first game through suspension, then took on the role of team rent-a-quote before announcing himself as a staunch representative of the ‘I like punching’ brigade. Then was elbowed in the larynx by Myles. A garden variety Origin for the Birdman.
Anthony Watmough – 6
Ripped a pec after bench-pressing a garden shed and still managed to front-up for the series-clinching borefest that was Game 2.
Trent Merrin – 6
Where does Merrin go now that he’s known for nothing other than being the arm-candy of a stunning surfer chick? After contributing to a landmark series win for his state, there’s really nothing left to achieve. He might as well retire and take up a sport played the furthest distance away possible from Australia’s jealous male community.
Tony Williams – 4
Smelling salts? Sitting him on a cactus? Insulting his mother? We just can’t seem to fire T-Rex up to level 11, and once again we were only treated to glimpses of his best in his one appearance.
Luke Lewis – 6
He’s the Swiss army knife of rugby league and he showed no different in this series. Much like Corey Parker, he grows more valuable as the years go by, just not as grey. Yet.
Boyd Cordner – 4
Looked dangerous on his edge in game three, and provided he can steer clear of world-famous nightspots and brightly-dressed ladies, he should be in the state’s plans long-term.