Queensland? It’s over. Over like the credits at the end of Spartacus.
Now – it’s not over in terms of Queensland ever winning State of Origin again. Because that can happen. That can easily happen. Probably will happen, a time or two, into the future.
But in terms of Queensland so dominating State of Origin series against the beleaguered NSW Blues, well, baby, it’s over.
Over like Umpire Dicky Bird calling “over”.
Why? Because it’s over, man. Over like everything, eventually, is over. One day the mighty golden white-hot gas-filled thing that is our sun will cease to be a thing, a sun, a star, what have you.
And one day – and it happened Wednesday night – the Queensland Maroons will cease to dominate the NSW Blues and thus so own the storied State of Origin series.
Because it’s over.
Over like Seinfeld was, eventually, over.
Because nothing lasts forever, except for various rocks and minerals which, you know, last quite a long time.
But Queensland?
Queensland is over.
(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
No it’s not. Queensland isn’t over. Queensland’s a ripper. Queensland is where you can go on holiday and drink a beer and snorkel about in the aqua-blue waters of Great Keppel Island.
But Queensland’s dominance of the State of Origin series is done, done and done.
Not to say Queensland won’t win games. Because the Maroons players are very much the equal of those trotted out by the NSW Blues.
But that’s where it’s at: equality. Like Origin used to be.
They are not guaranteed to win, as Queensland teams piloted by four of the greatest rugby league players there’s ever been were just about guaranteed to win.
Of course they weren’t guaranteed to win.
But sweet Jesus and Mr Lillee: Queensland has won 11 of the last 12 series. I mean… that’s pretty skinny odds. It’s Winx odds. It’s just about guaranteed.
But now? No. Because it’s over.
In 1984 the Australian cricket team lost Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh and Greg Chappell – along with a dozen or so quality cricket men who took the South African rebel gold – and the Australian cricket team had a mid-80s slump.
Queensland won’t experience that. Queensland won’t slump. But Queensland is about to know a period of… de tente.
And that’s something Queensland won’t be used to.
For how would they be? Since the middle of last decade they’ve trotted out the greatest league team of all time, a star-studded squadron sporting four or five of the greatest league players there’s ever been.
Not any more. Indeed only Greg Inglis remains from the storied superstars. There’s no Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater or Cameron Smith.
Sure, Billy be back. And the great GI is among the greatest there’s been.
But even his example on Wednesday night – rushing up on Tom Trbojevic, throwing little incidentals in 80 minutes of long-limbed, rock-n-roll rugby league – wasn’t enough to beat the Blues.
You sensed Inglis was looking to inspire his men. Because someone had to do something. Because the Blues are just as good, if not better, than Queensland.
And Queensland is back in the pack.
Admittedly the pack contains only one other rider.
But that guy is surging. And feels his time is now.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Blues? Were pretty cool. Even when Inglis was niggling, they just kept on playing footy.
Even when the Maroons forwards roared out of the line like Vikings, putting on big shots, huge, physical bits of kit, the Blues just kept on playing footy, channeling their coach, cool Freddy Fittler.
Channeling their five-eighth, James Maloney, the gnarly little throwback who simply doesn’t care if he makes an error, he just keeps on playing, competing.
Damien Cook’s sniping out of No.9 was frightening for the big Queensland forwards.
James Tedesco’s feet flashed like so much strobe.
And none of the Blues looked, in the eyes, the window to the soul, like they feared losing.
Like they feared Queensland.
Because the Blues know this Queensland. And they respect this Queensland. But they don’t feel inferior to this Queensland.
And they looked like they had this Queensland’s measure.
And that’s why it’s over.
Over like the Assyrian empire.
Over.
DJ
Guest
12. Papalli Morgan, Chambers and Hess miss out.
DJ
Guest
My Maroons game II team: 1. Slater 2. Oates 3. Inglis (c) 4. Gagai 5. Holmes 6. Munster 7. Hunt 8. Napa 9. McCullogh 10. Scott 11. Kafusi 12. Gillet/Hess 13. McGuire 14. Ponga 15. Wallace 16. Glasby 17. Arrow Morgan and Chambers miss out.
Philip Favuru Batia
Guest
No it's not over for the maroons The maroons spirit The maroons are coming
Philip Favuru Batia
Guest
No it's not over for the maroons The blues have to win 10 times against the maroons spirit
DTPNG
Guest
Why did Cameron Smith snubb the QLD selection in the last minute...maybe he knew what was coming, I had lot of respect for him but just lost them. Maroon fan
Chris Love
Guest
You’re joking right? Ben Hunt was by far the best attacking option you have. He produced a pearler of a kick for QLD’s second try and if the ball had gone to him more I’m sure the scores would have been closer. Chambers and to a lesser extent Morgan need to leave the ball playing to him. He’s easily QLD’s best attacking decision maker.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
You're a funny guy G! There have been plenty of shockers go both ways over the years. To suggest one team consistently gets the rub is one-eyed. As a Queenslander, I thought the reffing in this game was very good. Only once did I call out at the TV appealing for a penalty that never came (Milford getting tackled about 3 times and not allowed to play the ball). If that's the only non-call that is obviously bad, the refs have had a great game. McCullough threw a very fwd pass that wasn't called, Maloney's pass to Ado-Carr to score was fwd, but the one he threw that was called looked fine to me...so even there. Crichton's strip on Gagai was sneaky and easily missed, I thought the Ado-Carr non-try was very fortunate for Qld, but again it wasn't a horrific call It was a tight one. A really good game where NSW played the little moments better. Teddy and Cook were the difference IMO. Bring on game 2
G
Guest
Must have been strange to have "questionable calls" made against you? It was one of the few occasions in the last 25 years NSW weren't hammered by the refs, merely on par
peeko
Guest
i dont see Cronk and Smith out there this year?
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Mate, my wife is a nurse, so before each Origin game, I hitch up to an intravenous drip feed of 4,800ml of 150 Lashes Pale Ale and 1,400ml of Plantation Rum. After Valentine Holmes caught that intercept, I asked the nurse to administer more rum.
Drongo
Guest
Nah, it’s too well written and funny to get that response. And like all good jokes, there is some truth in it. A truth we Queenslanders don’t really want to face, but a truth nevertheless. One that we mostly realise was always coming, one day. ‘Back in the pack’ pretty well says it all. Not inferior, just competitive. And that’s all ok, really, isn’t it.
Gman
Guest
Just another sad, fat man
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
They said that QLD was done last year, looked what happened, NSW choking again, ha ah. History will repeat itself again in 2018.
Swannies
Guest
Blues are on the verge of something special. It will be a different story this year. Yes...Qld are not invincible anymore.
Peter
Guest
Are you sure you didn't mean "pedant" rather than "pedagogue"? Unless you were trying to teach us something, of course. :-)
KenoathCarnt
Guest
What's the big deal we just witnessed the best Origin team in history couldnt care less about origin anymore hopefully viewership decreases as will my interest. I am only focused on the Broncos now and hopefully no injuries from Origin. The Roar obviously couldnt care less about Queensland with the amount of articles slamming them as well as articles highlighting how players like Slater and Smith are a bunch of grubs. Seriously not professional it's like a bunch of angry teenagers venting the frustration.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
What's the big deal we just witnessed the best Origin team in history couldnt care less about origin anymore hopefully viewership decreases as will my interest. I am only focused on the Broncos now and hopefully no injuries from Origin.
R N
Roar Rookie
I just re-reviewed this series pitch. Rhapsody in blue, all male cast, gladiators, a dude named Freddie directing... dodgy producers. Is this series on SBS or nine?
SOS
Guest
The Roar must have pretty low standards if rubbish like this is allowed to be posted by what they consider a expert.
Footy Fan
Guest
If you're saying that the winx odds continue, then great! Fantastic you back your team. But stump up to prove it. I'll have $100 per series with you for the next decade on NSW. paying $10 each time. In return you put down $100 on Qld paying $1.10. Cause those are the odds from the past decade...