State of Origin 2011 game 3: live scores, QLD blog

State of Origin: Queensland’s Secret to Success Queensland’s xxxx, the foe of NSW, a united family and a team of continual success. They are the 6 year reigning champions. Defense is a key element of the Maroon team, when the blues attack, at least two xxxx defend, smothering first the ball and then tackling the legs. The tackler holds the opponent down, just enough to not concede a penalty, this allows for the rest of the team to get back onside and strengthen the line of defense. Attack is a natural element of the Queensland team. They have many key players that are able to read the NSW defense, these players create opportunities to put pressure on the Blues defensive line, creating some chaos. Once chaos is present xxxx allow their pressure players to break their defenses even further, creating more chaos, causing rash decisions to be made by individuals of the Blues. The Maroons work like a family, very tight, continuously supporting one another, whether on defense or on attack. The members of xxxx know each other, when key players move in a certain manner, the rest of the family know where to go. Each family member know their role and responsibility and endeavor to carry our their own duty. To be successful as a team, it is my belief that a team should be like a well knit family. Listening, understanding and taking care of each other. Having trust in each and following the one who has been charged with the lead role. Love and respect each other regardless of what the outcome is.

Just a question for all the RL fans out there - Jarryd Hayne's tackle on Billy Slater early in the match was identical to Dave Talyor's 'dangerous' tackle last week (over the horizontal, neck bent with head under the body). Neither hurt anyone and neither were particularly bad in anyone's eyes (other than the NSWRL...I mean, ARL...in Taylor's case), but Taylor was given 5 weeks so that means Hayne will be cited and sent before the tribunal and end up with some time off...right?? (What's the bet it doesn't happen!!)

I'm a QLD supporter and I completely agree video ref should have been called for...but video ref can't rule on forward passes (NSWRL loophole) so it'd be back to the ref anyway who would award the try due to temporary blindness...

Man of the match points for QLD 3pts - Anthony Minicello (what a horror match) 2pts - refs (played to the script) 1 pt Kurt Gidley (set an origin record for brain explosions). Some of the Qlders played OK in patches also, especially when gifted field position by the ref, but no individual QLDer contributed more to the victory than any of those three. Well done Locky though. The occasion was way too big for NSW.

yay!!!!! Go Maroons, nice to do it for Locky!!!! As an expat living in The Netherlands, I appreciate the commentry, thanks Melanie and everyone else who contributed.