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.
Scrubbit
Guest
That's the problem. Petros smart and well spoken.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Reynolds is terrible as a footballer. Maybe a good niggler, but one of the worst passes I have seen for a footballer, let alone a professional footballer in a ball playing role. He has a terrible pass. Also, he is pretty good at giving penalties away. Hodkinson was solid, but not spectacular. But I think he is a better option than Pearce by a country mile. Hodkinson has potential to improve. Pearce has shown he is not capable of improving.
Hoy
Roar Guru
He was QLD born. The eligibility questions asked by the NRL are a joke. They don't allow for birth. They are about first games, first rep teams etc.
Boomeranda
Guest
Can we stop basing these judgments on penalties, but rather at least base them on bad calls?
Chappy
Guest
This continued call to replace the NSW halves is a joke. J Reynolds and T Hodkinson are not future immortals but are our only answer now. They played huge roles in NSW's series victory and done enough to guide NSW to victory. They produced more repeat sets this series, we're more structured, had more set plays which they scored off and when the series was on the line Hodkinson came up with the big play, something Mitch Pearce could not do and never will. Reynolds and Hodkinson are not long term solutions, but are our best option now.
FrozenNorth
Guest
I agree with most of the ratings for both teams. Truth be told, it may have been great theatre but the quality of the footy in all three games was poor at best. Last tackle options were just awful, particularly from NSW, both teams lacked cohesion in attack and lost a lot of ball. NSW still has a serious halves issue, they really do, the Canterbury pair are not the answer, almost never threatening the line.
rvm99
Guest
Reasonably evident that NSW won the first two games and therefore the series on the back of their defensive effort. Beau Scott was a significant contributor to that defensive effort in terms of quantity and quality and his harassment of Thurston contributed to a very ordinary series performance by JT’s standards. He deserved a much higher rating than the majority of the NSW pack with the exception of Ryan Hoffman who I thought was one of NSW’s best for the series along with Scott. Robbie Farah for once didn’t have a serious brain explosion during the series and that contributed significantly to NSW’s series win but he is still not in the same postcode as Cameron Smith as a number 9 in terms of quality of consistency in making the right decision on the play every play. If it’s any consolation none of the other NSW or Qld rakes are in the same postcode as Farah for the moment. I thought Jarryd Hayne had a spectacular first half of attacking football in Game 1 and he was solid in defence throughout the series; however I thought Slater had the slightly better series in terms of overall quality and consistency in both defence and attack. Trent Hodkinson was calm under pressure and didn’t make a lot of mistakes but he didn’t offer a lot in attack and his tactical kicking was devoid of any real imagination or depth. He did however take his opportunity when it came in Game 2, which ultimately delivered the series to NSW. Josh Reynolds got horribly exposed last night and whilst being a serial pest can be a contributing factor to representative longevity I suspect he will need to actually develop some football skills to retain his spot in the side and therein lies a problem for NSW if they are to build on this series win. NSW has a strong pack and quality outside backs who are Origin standard. Hayne and Farrah are world class players in the spine positions of fullback and hooker. NSW is still well short in the halves department to be consistently competitive though Hodkinson I suspect because of his temperament has the potential to improve, because after that it is a bit of a lottery when it comes to finding a representative class halves combination. Roll on 2015 to see if this was just a blip on the radar for the Maroon Juggernaut.
parrafan
Guest
I don't think anyone rates Ennis as a hooker. I'd have gidley playing hooker for NSW before giving Ennis another crack.
parrafan
Guest
Agree scrubbit. I believe thats the reason the NRL won't allow forward passes to be ruled on by the video ref.
JB
Guest
Look at player ratings the last 9 origin games farah on aggregate clearly outscored smith in the 2012 and 2013 series, this series was pretty close, that's from both the telegraph and courier mail. Now that's just a number I think he is a whisker in front of smith on those 9 games alone. that's not to say I think Farah is a better player just miles ahead of the great number 9 myth Ennis. Agree though he does have a tendency to overplay his hand at times. There was zero creativity though coming from reynolds or hodkinson though they were awful particularly there kicking games, in three games not once did tupou get a clear jump on the line, any 6 - 7 combo in any club in the comp could complete that task at least once in 240minutes of footy.
JB
Guest
likewise squid I thought he was past it
Scrubbit
Guest
Yeah that's what I thought. But he's just running backwards. I think the NRL.com highlights show a good angle of it. Just my opinion though. Camera angles are tricky at best when it comes to forward passes.
Paul
Roar Rookie
And the highest penalty count for a series in the last 9 years goes to.........QLD 21 Highest penalty count in a game in the last 9 years...........QLD 11 game 3 Biggest penalty count margin in a game for the last 9 years.............QLD again with 6 more penalties than NSW game 3 Biggest penalty count margin in a series in the last 9 years goes to .............. QLD 6 And the winner of 2014 State of Origin is .................. NSW Must be a NSW conspiracy.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Bahaha. You crack me up with your crazy theory's you funnster looney
T Bone
Guest
Farah does a truckload of defence, but he is so selfish with the ball it is laughable. He consistently over-plays his hand at the detriment of the team's attack (probably so he can get an Australian Jersey). He has a long, long way to go to be recognised as being on Cameron Smith's level.
Jackson Henry
Guest
If I were yu, I wouldn't worry too much about Keary. He was never going to represent this year anyway, so there'll be plenty of time to amend the rules before he does. We don't wan't someone who doesn't wan't to play for us anyway - that's not being narky, it just makes sense. Although the logic of "if we can't have him, no-one can" is probably at play there. It's not like we have 3/4 of the NRL to choose from anyway...oh wait...! I think we really need to look at our scouting and recruting strategies, because with thsoe sorts of numbers, we should winning 3/4 of the games as well.
Jackson Henry
Guest
And I guess that's why I see Qld's point when they complain about Channel Nine. For a very, very long time, the only FTA channel who broadcasts Rugby League marketed Gould, Sterling, Johns and Fittler as it's "analysts". While it's obvious where the allegances lie, just come out and say so....rather than spin obviously biased commentary as objective insights. Vautin was not an euqivalent, he doesn't offer much, to put it mildly. "The forwards really need to start giong forward". And in breaking news, grass is apparently also green...
Albo
Guest
Sorry dude, but rating Beau Scott's performance over those 3 tough games, as just on a par with his fellow backrowers Merrin, Watmough & Lewis, pretty well sinks your whole rating scheme for having any serious credibility !
KevC
Guest
On what basis has Farah outperformed Smith three origin years in a row? Farah is highly overrated mostly because he takes the ball too often rather than letting more talented ballplayers get their hands on it (ironically much like man of the series Gallen).
KevC
Guest
No argument on Teo's tackle, late(ish) but it was always high - grub stuff and if he ever repeats it he should be given the elbow out of the team.