Has there ever been a more complete performance by any representative team? I think not. Wow. Simply wow.
From the very first set of the match Queensland displayed an intensity rarely seen before. Now couple that with a physical performance that started in the extreme level and rarely wavered even for a play. In attack, defence and in transition.
They were calm and composed and yet razor sharp, which led to absolutely incredible levels of execution despite playing at breakneck speed.
That has never been achieved before.
The snowball really started rolling in the Maroons’ first set following a penalty goal in the ninth minute. Immediately off the kick-off Matt Scott wins the first collision, leaving Beau Scott behind at the first play the ball. Cameron Smith out of dummy half then beats both Paul Gallen and Mitchell Pearce up from the ground leaving them lying on the ground like dead marines.
At the following play, the ball rolls out and Gallen and Aaron Woods are both unable to dominate or even cut square in the tackle.
At the fifth play the ball they are on the Blues’ 40-metre line – that’s 60 enormous metres made on the ground against NSW’s best. All on power running.
The bomb they finish with is caught by Josh Dugan on the Blues’ 10-metre line a fraction of a second before three rampaging Maroons nearly cut him in half with the the most ferocious contact.
It never stopped. Relentless has new meaning after the stratosphere of intensity maintained by these wonderful players.
I reckon there is a reason for this unparalleled standard set above all the most fantastic and blockbusting matches we have watched over the decades Origin has been running.
In every other game from the past where this fever pitch has been reached by one or both teams, it would have erupted into melees and brawls. Punches and grappling in a furious and ugly way would have pulled the steam out of the game.
Knowing that can’t happen allowed Queensland to stay focused of the top class footy they were playing and it prevented NSW from utilising distracting tactics designed to get a fresh start after the formerly compulsory ‘cattle dog’ call.
And the Blues could not even find what was needed after half-time when many a team has been able to muster something, anything, to reverse the trails of destruction in the opening 40 minutes.
All credit to the administrators of our game for sticking with that strong stance they took a couple of seasons back to rid the game of violent brawls. The payback was in Origin 3, the greatest performance by any team in Origin.
Ever.
For Queensland it would be churlish to even attempt to identify one player above his 16 fellow squad players. It was a mammoth performance by every single guy but more so by 17 players committed and selfless on every single play.
For NSW it would be agenda driven to isolate any player also such was the complete dominance the Blues endured from go to whoa. Not one individual was able to rise to anywhere near his best performance.
On reflection, over the series and even including the winning series of last season, NSW has never really looked like dominating their opponents to anywhere near this extent. They are right back where they started from and perhaps shell shocked and shattered beyond repair.
Based on what we saw on Wednesday it could be years before NSW gets to even provide a threat of any kind to the power, skill and composure of this unbelievable Queensland squad.
This match will be talked about like where were you when Elvis died. It will be enshrined in so many players’ minds over and over as coaches across the rugby league spectrum play it over and over again to their teams of all ages everywhere.
The new yardstick for so many aspects of footy – all attained on the one night on the biggest stage under the most pressure.
We will never forget this match.
Brian Smith
Guest
Clarey definitely no offense meant mate. The footy reference to dead marines is about empty beer bottles left on the ground Clarey.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Well so would I to be bloody honest! It's the only explanation - Daley cops it after 3 series despite having one of the best "brands" out there, thoroughly justified too from what I hear. Bellamy was much the same. And the Mitchell Pearce thing speaks for itself. All have been touched up in the media, to varying degrees. Yet Fulton has been there for all nine...and I can count on one finger the number of critical articles on him during that time period. In the last month I've actually seen two raps on the muppet. So what does that tell you? My take is that he has powerful mates with big microphones - like Hadley and Dhil Rothfield. And he probably knows where the bodies are buried - so if any of these blokes turn on him, he likely has a wealth of ammunition to pass on to their rivals. Just my two cents. I can't come up with a better theory. 1 from 10, but no criticism from the media heavy hitters?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That World Cup Final performance was clinical. That Queensland performance was high octane and frightening.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm with you Baz. Just watched the replay finally and wow, and I mean WOW. Don't quite know what happened to the Blues but they had no chance with the total lack of possession they got. Didn't really play that bad as such, just weren't in it. Queensland were simply awesome. Love to know what JT was mouthing off about to Pearce after his little handbag slapping session with Woods. But it was gold seeing Jonathon giving some curry to the big galoot. Man what a player JT has turned into. I don't rate the Immortal concept we have at present but he definitely deserves to be recognised at a hall of fame type of award when he retires. I was a tad surprised at the death he was telling Smith to just kick the ball dead. Cam was like "you want to what?" And Thurston is saying "yeah stuff it, games over, lets celebrate. " Loved every minute of it both times.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'd actually like to know as well. What makes Fulton exempt from scrutiny? He has been one of the few constants during the past decade of inadequacy.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I've been on the road with clients for a couple of days so have missed much of the aftermath on the roar. On reflection of this game and having watched it again I'm grateful that there haven't been more performances like this over the past decade. If Queensland turned up like this more regularly NSW would have been lucky to win a game.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Do people prefer displays or contests?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Why are they scared of him? (serious question)
nerval
Guest
Yes.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I have no doubt that QLD deserved their penalties, but if you think QLD were always onside and didn't shoulder charge more than a few times, you had one eye shut.
Jimmmy
Guest
Great reply Bulldog. Laurier Daley says they will do a post mortem to ' get to the bottom of what happened'. Forget the crash bash and smash Mr Daley and play some football. The penalty count reflected what happened on the field . Maybe one penalty in the whole game was a 'hometown decision'. Finally we a had a game where the Refs , refereed to the rules, not some , ,Oh but it is Origin' cop out. That was the most refreshing Origin game in a long time. If NSW can change their mindset Origin may elevate to an even more exalted contest.
WQ
Guest
Good point matth, other that the pass that Gillett passed to nobody every other loos ball QLD came up with!
matth
Guest
With the rise of Cooper Cronk, people really do forget just how good old gravel throat was. No one could produce a clutch play like Locky.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I remember that game matt... how good was it? :) The funny thing is there was a lot of similarity in the build up to that game.... England had beaten Australia in the previous match between the two sides during the tournament 24-12 and had won their last 3 matches going into the final finishing the group stage in 1st place. The Kangaroos had played four games, won 2, had a draw against NZ and lost in their last start to the Poms. As a result there was a lot of hype in the English media that they were now the number 1 team in the world, etc, etc. The Kangaroos came out and absolutely hammered them.... I was only 18 and me and my mates had stayed up until 4am for the game - we were just as hammered as the Poms ;) Lockyer put on a masterclass with Kimmorley in the halves, was awesome!
matth
Guest
It was top class as well. I'd forgotten that one. Shows my age that I can remember 2004 clear as a bell but 2013 is a bit vague.
Renegade
Roar Guru
No doubt it was an outstanding performance and right up there with the best. For me, Australia's performance in the World Cup Final in 2013 was better.... you will not find a better 80 minutes than that.
Renegade
Roar Guru
You obviously didn't get the memo on that article.... there was a QLD one as well.
matth
Guest
For me the most telling action was twice in the second half Sam Thaiday coming from the clouds to dive on a loose ball that NSW should have picked up. the game was already won at that point. That was commitment.
matth
Guest
Arthur there were two articles, the other being why Queensland will definitely win. They were supposed to be tongue in cheek and parochial. The Roar also publishes plenty of serious analysis as well.
matth
Guest
You are being harsh on Brian Smith if you think he was old enough to watch those matches :-) The Swinton Massacre in 1963 was widely considered the most complete performance in history. Australia beat a strong English side 50-12 (in the era of three point tries). Johnny Raper was apparently perfect.