Fittingly, they were the last two times Lang Park/Suncorp has hosted Maroon victories to decide the series, with their career exploits commemorated in bronze.
The Lewis statue outside Suncorp will soon be joined by the Lockyer stature: both superbly life-like and both thoroughly deserved.
Throw in current coach Mal Meninga, the mentor behind the record six successive series wins, and Allan Langer, an integral member of the Maroons backroom staff, and there you have the culture that makes Queensland so dominant.
Chronologically Lewis, Meninga, Langer, Lockyer, who just happen to be the four most capped in the 32 year-history of Origin.
Lockyer 36, Langer 34, Meninga 32, Lewis 31, Brad Fittler 31, Petero Civoniceva 30, Steve Price 28, Andrew Ettingshausen 28, Dale Shearer 26, Bobby Lindner 15, and Gary Larson 24 – the most consecutive games in Origin history.
The top 11 caps, nine of them Queenslanders, just to prove the culture point.
There’s no culture in NSW Origin, although Ricky Stuart has certainly lifted the self-belief in the Blues to make a right royal fist of this series.
But when push turned to shove last night, the Queensland culture surfaced big-time, as did the 52,498 crowd support.
The 34-24 scoreline flattered NSW. It was far more fitting in the 68th minute when Queensland led 34-10, before they took the pedal off the metal eight minutes from time for NSW to pile on 14 unanswered points.
The gulf between the two sides is emphasised by the six successive series wins, and the Wally Lewis Medal, awarded to the player-of-the-series.
They are all class, and all Queensland: Lockyer (2006), Cam Smith (2007), Johnathan Thurston (2008), Greg Inglis (2009), Billy Slater (2010), and Smith again last night, although the future Kangaroo-Queensland skipper could be in strife for sinking his knees into Jarryd Hayne’s back when he scored the third of NSW’s four tries.
But the Maroons scored six, with two to Inglis, who grows a leg at Origin-Kangaroo time, as do most Queenslanders.
In 96 Origin games, Queensland has won 45, NSW 41.
But the more telling stat is that Queensland has won 13 of the last 18, and with Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, and Johnathan Thurston very likely to finish their careers down the track as icons in the Lewis-Lockyer mould, and such a classy halfback in Cooper Cronk coming off the bench, it’s a bleak future for NSW, where perhaps Jarryd Hayne and Mark Gasnier, possibly Paul Gallen, will be competitive.
Which begs the question of Ricky Stuart’s future?
He’s the best bet to coach NSW in Origin 2012, but will that be enough to sustain his highly-competitive nature?
Three games in a season sustains laid-back Mal Meninga; the same doesn’t apply to the energetic Stuart.
The Bulldogs as well?
David Heidelberg
Guest
What a load of crap, a few lucky bounces and some appalling refereeing were required to help QLD take advantage of a mountain of possession. If they were half as good as they thought they were they would have won by 50. QLD hubris will be exposed next year.
JVGO
Guest
I think there is definitely an argument that the current crop of great Qld players is actually a product of the Qld Origin culture and it isn't just a fluke. Having less talent overrall the Qld players are taken into a strong continuous culture where the attitude and experience of the older players is passed on. Lockyer was the direct heir to Wally Lewis, Webcke to Beetson etc, the lineage is more direct. Confidence is nurtured and built. A lot of these guys are pretty unheard of when thrown innto origin but grow through the experience. NSW having more talent overrall (just look at the current talent that doesn't get a look in, Idris Hayne, Stewart, Inglis, Carney, Lawrence, Farrah, Snowden, Douglas et al) the whole process and tenure of players is much more disjointed. Back in the day there was too much talent, Mortimer couldn't get a look in because of Raudonikis, ricky Stuuart had to wait behind Sterlo, while Langer played unchallenged forever. Joey even had to play hooker at times (or was that for Australia?). I think we have identified a core group of experienced reliable guys like gallen, bird, Gaz, Watmough Lewis and need to bring in the young guys around them and let them grow into great players. This I think is what Ricky would like to do. He wasn't actually talking miracles before the series and they have restored a sense of respectability at least, against a great side.
JVGO
Guest
So what are you saying? Obviously NSW are not playing for the same thing. NSW's identity is not based on having a chip on our shoulder or being a little brother or being an underdog or anything like the psyche that Qlders have talked themselves into. There is simply nothing to base this mentality on if we try to instil it in NSW. It is not our natural view of the world. The Aussie underdog attitude (which is really what Qld is tapping into) can really only come into play whenever we play for Australia against a bigger opponent and our state identity is not strong enough to override that. The fact is Qld have a better side and their dominance is not based on any unique Qlder mentality anyway. They just have better players who are a better team.
Todd Slater
Guest
Apart from the culture difference, which Mal has massaged & moulded every year since '06, Queensland always had that improvement in their game, coming into last night. I didn't think ( & was proved right on this count) that NSW could go much better than they did in Sydney, whereas Queensland hadn't really played to full capacity the whole series until the first 30mins of last night. As Fatty Vautin said correctly at half time, the one rule that hasn't changed in 103 years of the game is possession. League as Jack Gibson always said is a simple game, you can't win without the ball & if you stop the opposition from scoring you will win. The other fact is that Slater, Inglis, Lockyer, Smith, etc are some of arguably the greatest players to ever play the game. I was too young to see Changa Langlands play live, let alone Churchill but i saw Wombat Eadie, Greg Brentnall, Gary Belcher amongst other great custodians go around & Billy Slater is as good as any of them probably better. Same for Inglis, which when you think about the great centre three quarters we have seen in the past 30 years alone, says something. I mean i never thought i would see anyone better than Steve Rogers & Mick Cronin at their peak, then along came Chris Close, Gene Miles & Mal Meninga. I had the pleasure of watching Wally Lewis's whole career from a 19year old lock at Valleys onwards & Lockyer is right beside him. Wally's only weakness was he was an appalling trainer. This is a Queensland team for all time & i for one relish every victory because the wheel will turn one day, but we will all remember in our old age the pleasure this greatest of Qld teams has given us all. Mal & the boys have shown once again why league really is the greatest game of all.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I watched, I marvelled and I'm very, very proud today ... Darren Lockyer got his just rewards, as did his team in the photo that heads this article, an achievement that I don't think will be repeated in my lifetime, or in the lifetime of those who went to the game, watched from their televisions or listened via a radio broadcast. who like me will remember and cherish ... I'd like to say I'm not biased, but I freely admit just today, I might be, so, just this once, please give me some grace ... Billy Slater was playing with a braver heart last night, in fact the whole team seemed to be on, whatever Billy was on, and there was no chance that Lockyer wouldn't end his Origin career a winner ... An occasion like this should not be marred by tragedy, get well soon JT, Cam Smith on report - there was no malice or intent, or Gallen's need to fly off at the referee's ... In a game of gladiators, where adrenalin is paramount and body contact part and parcel of the battle - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, it won't do any good if we drag the wonderful spectacle we all enjoyed and observed through the mud - end of story -- BRING ON 2012 ... Now it's onto this weeks competition, time to give our support for our teams and the greatest game of all ... GO THE MIGHTY MELBOURNE STORM !!! They're my team and I support them 100% - whether they win, whether they lose ...
Gaz
Guest
Our boys were more structured and went about their job like they done it all before. The Blues on the other hand were running around like farts in a bottle. A reflection I believe to their build up - sneaking into Ballymore instead of Lang Park, not naming their side - all the ducks and drakes Stuart implemented proved to be detrimental in the end. They need more consistency, don't be afraid to name your players they need and deserve that recognition. Stuart has learned a valuable lesson last night you can play all the mind games you like but the only game that really matters is the one out in the middle of the footy field. The Blues may be trying to copy QLD in terms of successful camps etc but the thing that wins the game is the spirit and pure culture that was hatched in QLD all those years ago when we were being beaten by our own players coming back in blue jerseys. That can't be copied - it needs to be earned and NSW are not going about it the right way. Chopping and changing players, coaches trying for the quick fix is definitelyheading in the wrong direction. I hope Stuart coaches for another 4 years,10 in a row has ring about it. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
oikee
Guest
I will wait and reserve judgement later. The last time i gave a thumbs-up to a player, they were splashed all over the front papers for all the wrong reasons. The only 3 safe bets have been Petro, Price and Lockyer. So we do need some new guys coming through to rise above the pack. Hindmarsh is good also.
Jeff
Guest
It is mainly the club combinations that are the difference between the Maroons and the Blues. Lockyer, Thaiday, Petro, Yow yeh. all linking brilliantly. Slater, Smith, Inglis, Cronk.. -- Thurston , Scott.. the bottom line is -- they know each others games and Meninga has worked these combinations to form A team. as opposed to a talented bunch of individuals!!. My vote for Player of the Series , would have gone to Paul Gallen.. He has taken a lot of the 'rubbish' out of his game and was fantastic in every game. If 'leadership be example' really works, NSW should have won the series easilly. What a pity this guy has not had the opportunity to play in a winning team and has taken so long to discover he is a better player without the snide tactics.!. Watch the Sharkies for next years 'Bolters'.. their forward pack is gonna be pretty strong and with Gallen leading the way. they may at last 'come good' I hold my hand up... last year I was calling him a 'useless grub' and pleading for the selectors to rid the team of him!.. see how wrong a guy can be!!.. lol
schtumpy
Guest
I actually thought Gaz had his best game of the series last night. And Uate, Whatmough and Gallen were terrific. But you're right. I'm not sure Stuart has found his long term half back yet. What NSW did offer - despite the mistakes - was a real attitude. Iin the face of an almost certain defeat at 24-0, their energy, effort and commitment were exemplary.
oikee
Guest
Shattered, completely shattered that Thurston wont win the Dally M now. Probably Gals will win it, he is the next best. And shattered for the Cowboys, and for Thurston himself. They are now talking about 4-6 weeks if his Cruchal Liiguement is ok. Have to wait and see. Mate i was waiting for Petro and Scott to come off, it got to the 15 minute mark and was still waiting, then him and Scott started to cut through the blues like a hot knife in butter and it was 25 minutes into the game. I turned to my Mrs and said, holey cow,(hehe) look at Petro and Scott go, still going. Mate, enormous what they did, they did not give a inch until they had broken the NSW pack down, and by then the damage had been done. It was wonderful to watch. Smith giving it to Petro one side of the ruck, then to Scott the other side, making sure every NSW forward was spent. And Myles up the middle on a angle.
oikee
Guest
:)
oikee
Guest
Thanx Mal, i think my heart nearly stopped last nite and i was hyperventalating during the match, that was without the nerves. Dont know how the players can go through a game like that with the thought of Locky going out a loser. Mate, you can win the next 5 now and i would not be upset. No really i wouldn't. ;)
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
The game was won in the first 30 minutes. what had Qld in front? This game Qld came up off their line in defence and crushed the NSW attack. NSW were waiting for Qld to come to them in defence and Qld made many metres up the middle before going wide. Late in the first half a comedy of errors saw the first NSW try and then in the second half when NSW threw the ball wide they looked dangerous. But the game was over before that happened. This leads me to the coaching of Sticky. On Spiro's column the other day Spiro was talking up how good Sticky was, well as far as I can see he's won one game and lost the series. If you are going to load your team with fast elusive lighter forwards why not use them in this capacity. Instead Sticky used them in the conventional manner hammering them up the middle, that just played into Qlds hands. When in the second half after the game was lost they threw the ball wide they looked dangerous. So I ask you what does that say about the coach. Sticky has not been a success with any club he has coached so what makes anyone think he will be a success with NSW??? Gee the refs didn't penalize anything Petro had his head ripped off in the first tackle and as for Smith's so called knees in the back of Haynes, my bet is that he will get off, it was pretty soft. And what is the word on Thurston, last night they were saying he will be out for the season???
Manuwatu
Guest
This is a wonderful story about just what makes the difference between NSW and QLD when it comes to State of Origin. There is a culture in the QLD camp that NSW will never have regardless of them winning or losing. The QLD players understand what they are playing for, as Lockyer said last night 'Thank you QLD it has been a privilege to play for you' In that sentence he summed up the difference between the two camps!
Mals
Guest
Firstly congrats to Queensland & Darren Lockyer. You are right Oikee NSW were not that bad - they were terrible!! NSW put together about 10 minutes of good football last night the rest was sub-standard & that kind of performance won't go close to winning you an Origin game. Once QLD got away to a 3 converted try lead the game was all but over.
oikee
Guest
1,2.3.4.5.6 etc. I sat their and every error the blues made i counted to my wife, after six i said to her, their gone. It was 24 nil by then. Then Gallen gave away the famous penalty in the second half, i said to her, its all over now, so she went to bed with a smile on her face. :) The sucker punch worked to perfection, it truely was a beautiful thing to watch. I also have a permenent grin on my dial this morning. The blues really did not play that bad, and were only a 6 points away from Queensland, yet everyone will see this as a big defeat. Take out the mistakes, NSW are right in it up to their eyeballs, and is why next year i will be here again giving it to anyone who gives NSW any compassion, not on my watch.
Chris
Guest
While Queensland played reasonably well last night (by their standards), the reason they won was as much to do with poor quality play by the Blues. Despite what Ricky Stuart thinks, Mitchell Pearce is not the best halfback in the world - based on his performance last night you wouldn't even think he was up to club standard. If your halfback has a shocker the team doesn't stand a chance. And unfortunately Pearce had plenty of company - Minichello was awful, Gasnier was well down, Lewis looked lost, the kicking was terrible... need I go on? In the end NSW was so bad I was surprised the scoreboard was so close in the end.