A tribute to a great rugby league dynasty

Queensland’s dynasty in rugby league’s toughest arena has come to an end after eight wonderful years of dominance.

People from both states who have witnessed this side will remember it as one of the greatest teams not only in history of rugby league, but in the history of sport.

It all started in 2006. Mal Meninga was as Queensland coach to try and turn the fortunes of the state around after losing three straight Origin series.

He started to build a culture which would eventually become revered across the rugby league and sporting worlds.

However, the dominance all began with a stroke of luck. An errant pass from Blues fullback Brett Hodgson was swooped on by Maroons captain Darren Lockyer, who strolled over to score a famous try, as the screams of “Oh No!” floated out of the mouth of former Blues coach Phil Gould in the Channel Nine commentary box.

The Queen’s Birthday long weekend in 2007 was filled with awful weather and severe power outages which affected many people, including the Queensland rugby league team at their Central Coast base. They had no television, and no real communication with the world. Being cut off saw the players create the bond that has typified this period of dominance.

Queensland won Game 2 in 2007 10-6. It was the side’s first ever victory at Telstra Stadium (now ANZ Stadium) and saw them claim their second Origin series in a row.

In 2008, Queensland were without their inspirational captain Darren Lockyer, who was battling a knee reconstruction suffered late in the 2007 season. Led by Cameron Smith, the side managed to win the series without Lockyer, showcasing the players hwo would play a continuing role in the run of dominance.

In 2010, Queensland completed a 3-nil series victory over New South Wales, the only series clean-sweep in what would eventually become an eight year run of superiority. It was the peak of their success and showcased the greatness of this sporting dynasty.

In 2011, Queensland’s great leader Darren Lockyer played his last Origin series, and was given the farewell he deserved in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium, with Queensland winning 34-24. It was a performance built on the back of one of the greatest rugby league halves you are ever likely to see.

In 2012 and 2013, New South Wales were getting closer and closer to ending the great run of sporting dominance. In two incredibly tight series, the champion qualities of the Maroons came to the fore as they completed a seventh and then an eighth-straight Origin series victory.

The run of dominance came to an end at ANZ Stadium on the 18th of June, 2014.

The era of Queensland will be remembered as one of greatest in rugby league and sporting history. Champion players such as Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, and Greg Inglis will be associated with this great era forever.

While the fans of New South Wales rejoice after ending this great run of dominance, we should all reflect on this amazing era and remember the greatness of a rugby league team that will go down as one of the best ever.