State of Origin, more than any Australian sporting event, is a contest built on the foundations of myths and legend.
And just like the Brothers Grimm sent children of the early 19th century to bed with vision of magic and mysticism racing through their heads, so to do Queensland kids get tucked in to tall stories of the mighty Maroons of yesteryear.
Below are five of the Queenslanders’ favourite tales which they never tire of regaling the nearest blue blood with.
5. That first game
Sometimes rugby league is about more than just what happens on the field. Sometimes it is about right versus wrong.
By 1980 the old residential interstate system had long since broken down, yet for years decimated Queensland sides were fed as cannon fodder to their own in front of seven drunk blokes at Leichardt Oval.
Something needed to be done, and State of Origin was the proposed solution.
But would it actually work? Would anyone care? And would Queensland finally shut up when they lost?
Well yes, yes, and we’ll never know, because on that first night at a packed Lang Park a stoic Arthur Beetson wiped some chalk across his chest and then promptly wiped the floor with the Blues.
Magic.
4. Wally Lewis ‘89 Try
The Second game of the 1989 Origin series at the SFS was one of the most brutal ever played, with Queensland losing Allan Langer with a broken leg, Mal Meninga with a fractured eye socket and Paul Vautin with an elbow injury by half-time.
In a game that Queensland would eventually win with twelve men and drew comparison to the famous 1914 Rorkes Drift Test match, Lewis would prove beyond doubt that he was truly the ‘king’ of Origin with a brilliant individual 40m try that he had no right to score.
This effort came to personify the much lauded Queensland spirit, and almost single handily earned Lewis the right to tell Dad jokes on the Brisbane Evening News bulletin.
3. Alfie’s Comeback
The 2001 Origin series was an intriguing battle. A host of fresh faces invigorated Queensland in game one, before NSW took the second match just as comfortably.
Stalemate.
Needing an ace in the hole, Queenslandcoach Wayne Bennett launched a daring undercover mission to smuggle mercurial halfback Allan Langer back from the UK to guide his team’s talented youngsters.
Far from being worried NSW laughed off the move as a stunt, only to find themselves down by twenty at the break and eventually on the end of a 40-14 hiding.
Darren Lockyer may have taken man of the match, but it was Alfie’s name that was chanted long into the night…a chant started by Bennett himself!
2. 1995 series victory
There are underdogs and then there are the 1995 Queensland Maroons, who if they were an actual dog would have been a flatulent, grey at the muzzle, pathetically trying to catch the eyes of passers by at the local RSPCA shelter.
Devoid of Super League aligned talent the Maroons selectors cobbled together the blokes left over, the truth being that even the most stoic Queensland fans expected a team containing a disturbing number of South Queensland Crushers to cop a pasting.
While the Blues were busy debating whether to go for the Dom Perignon or Verve Clicquot post series whitewash, Queensland set about building a team spirit that propelled them to a 3-0 series victory which Disney Studios would later reject for a film for being ‘too unrealistic’.
1. Miracle try
The early nineties weren’t a great time for Queensland sides, and the pain looked like continuing in game one 1994 with the Blues holding a comfortable 12-4 lead late in the 75th Minute.
What then followed was five minutes that would eternally haunt Blues fans and a try that, well, I could try to explain it, I really could. But I just wouldn’t do it justice.
Take it away Rabs!
Queenslander!
Renegade
Guest
:) haha
darth vader
Guest
Best moment in origin was watmoughs face while gallen was using myles head as a punching bag! He loved it!
Griffo
Guest
The Slater try in game 1 2011 was pretty special. A good all round team effort helped Queensland gain about 70 metres on that set before Lockyer gave that inside pass to Slater. Also the team being half dead though illness and injury for game 2 2009 and Inglis being taken out by Barrett in the first half but grinding out the win to break the record for consecutive series victories. I'm getting fired up!
Griffon
Guest
He was also excellent for the Tigers in '05 and his goalkicking was sensational but i think he'll always be remembered for being Tallis' ragdoll and the guy who threw that pass
Mal
Guest
Lol we don't believe you Chardy. Up the Blues!
Chris Chard
Expert
And thus ending Johns' front row ambitions for good!
Chris Chard
Expert
Geez Loz I know being NSW coach is an intense job but you might want to have a Bex and a good lie down before tonight mate..
Chris Chard
Expert
To be fair on Hodgo he had a blinder in game one 2002...
Daley
Guest
Gallen v Myles anyone....LOL! Get it in to ya and publish it ya soft #@$!!!
BennO
Guest
I didn't know that! I'd trust that man with my life so it's good enough for me too.
Griffo
Guest
Both great Hodgson moments
maximillian
Guest
I feel for Fittler who was wrongfooted & missed that last tackle on Coyne. He must be sick of watching the footage every year at Origin time.
Tiger
Guest
No slagging off at NSW nor is it s slight on Wishart, who was one powerful player and nice bloke, but just in that play he made a simple error. As for Stuart..yes that last effort against Coyne..perhaps he should've went for the ball!!
Renegade
Guest
That miracle try was unbelievable, I was only a kid and i wasn't sure whether i should be devastated or celebrating what i just witnessed....even as a NSWelshmen you had to admire it. It was rugby league at its finest.
Chris Chard
Expert
Please, by all means slag off NSW but leave Rod the bod out of it! Ricky Stuart missed four tackles in that last play!
Chris Chard
Expert
Hey Bennett says he did, good enough for me!
Chris Chard
Expert
I'd just prefer my cows to not give sour milk that's all...also love the sun getting up at 4:20am
Mark Young
Roar Guru
What about Marty Bella playing the ball the wrong way! In all seriousness, Jamie Goddard ducking two and then dropping Andrew Johns like a stone has to be pretty good for you blokes.
AlanK
Guest
Build a bridge Carlos, build a bridge.
bilo
Guest
But the rules say he's a QLDer Carlos, just like the rules said Ken Nagas was a NSWman in the 90's.