When Queensland choked on Sunday night and then turned on their halfback, we knew they had finally discovered what Origin is all about.
As the Maroons routinely slumped from success to success over the last decade, we New South Welshpeople always treasured the fact that we were the only state that truly understood the essence of the interstate series.
On the other hand, we knew Queensland never understood Origin, and maybe never would.
How could a dirty banana bender ever know what it’s like to bear the innate cultural qualities only enjoyed by the contemporary Blues, such as an unshakeable ability to dig deep into their own psychological voids to find new and improved ways to stuff things up?
When had the Maroons ever operated under the burden of commanding the highest calibre of player with the highest calibre of mental luggage, a collective that couldn’t beat themselves, let alone an opposition?
Greg Inglis (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
As the Blues continually set new standards, we referred to attributes such as camaraderie, composure and character, and whether the Maroons could ever avoid them at all costs.
We questioned if their collective DNA was receptive to Origin’s brotherhood qualities. Did they have the spirit to turn on each other? Did they have the will to wilt? Had they ever bonded with teammates by driving 200kms south to drink schooners?
But with every failure to concede deflating tries right on halftime/fulltime/anytime, or execute moronic leg-pull penalties on the fifth, or lose an entire series against the run of play, the doubts mounted.
As the Blues continued to widen the gap with big Origin plays – like coronating their untested as saviours before publicly stoning them for failing to meet unattainable goals – the Maroons floundered without a captain who constantly hit it up on the fourth.
From here, many assumed the Maroon jersey would never enjoy that mystical ability of the sky blue – that no matter the circumstances or the form line, whoever pulled it on would outrageously regress.
But after a fruitless decade of cruisy dominance, 2018 will be remembered as the year the Maroons drew a line in the sand.
It will be remembered for widespread calls to cancel Ben Hunt’s residency for not being Cooper Cronk, when the entire future was banked on Kalyn Ponga, and when everyone finally relented to Phil Gould’s bait.
Kalyn Ponga of the Maroons (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It is the year when the penny dropped, and Queensland finally ‘got it’.
By graduating as the latest State of Remission champions, I expect Queensland to fully embrace the deep-seated culture they have unknowingly pursued for the last ten years.
We shall witness a new tortured psyche, where rapid and encouraging leads make way for the brace position, and pledges to only relax if still ahead by 56 at midnight. Then upon securing victory, the declaration of an imminent dynasty with the series over at 1-0.
Expect implosions, self-cannibalisation, year-round conjecture, amateur espionage, inexplicable bolters, and the practice of sacking everyone and picking anyone.
There will be botched mind games, cranky former greats, positional switches, players out of position, positions out of position, mercilessly pressurising playmakers by spending the build-up trying to find them a life partner, and Jamie Buhrer.
Then the zenith; selecting a captain who comes off the bench.
Be warned: Queensland now get Origin.
Consider this the changing of the guard, and the rise of a new-false-dawn, dead-rubber specialist.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The Broncos lost that game because of poor defence. Hunt is good for the Dragons and hopefully we'll get to the GF to see if your prediction comes true.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
So you whinged about the state game being a test selection game because it had too many Qlders in it. You wouldn't be whinging if you were offered more money to play in Sydney would you.
Short Memory
Guest
Geez, if we can beat the Maroons falling over the line by accident, it doesn't say much for your faith in the team does it?
Short Memory
Guest
Great that you got the irony in Dane's post.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Hunt is going to be the halfback...again! Because qld like to pick and stick, remember? The retirements of Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Slater has left a huge gap in the side, talent and origin knowledge that is irreplaceable and minor tweaks from the existing crop (who don't know how to win) is supposed to put things back in equilibrium? Mate, come off it, qld is in BIG trouble and it'll hit home when the whitewash happens in game 3. I thoroughly enjoyed Lattrel Mitchell accidently trample over chambers when he scored the winning try..
JVGO
Guest
What so at 2-0 you mean we can't still lose the series from here? Surely the Blues will find a way. Just bring back Doogs, Fifita and Fergo. They can get the whole team suspended and disqualified from the series.
Larry1950
Guest
No, many of us still have that chip on the shoulder from how our early rep teams were treated: - sent to play a midweek game at Leichhardt oval - got bashed by our own lured by pokie cash - had our token player in the test side frozen out by arrogant blues That's why it's great every time NSW whinged about Inglis being a maroon. We won't treat Hunt like you did Pearce because he'll get dropped for Ash Taylor & not given 7 years to repeat his shortcomings. Also, Hunt didn't sledge a legend of the game before he had achieved anything, that's the difference. Minor tweaks will put things back on an equilibrium, after all, for all the so called superiority of your lot, you fell over the line almost by accident in game 2.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Dane, Any chance of a separate article on Ben Hunt as a poor man's Mitchell Pearce when it comes to Origin half backs?
Col in Paradise
Guest
Said it before the game...Qld would win with Hunt...he is a big game choker....watch out Saints he is your weak link come Finals time..
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I've said this before, they just don't get that those players from that period of domination are irreplaceable. it's one thing finding someone with physical properties, capabilities that match or even surpass slater, smith, cronk, Thurston but what lies between the ears is really what matters and no one in qld rugby league at present fits or even comes close to fitting that bill. Even with slater & inglis there, it wasn't enough, they need the whole 'organism' at work to pull those impossible victories off and it has been very evident they can't win without those players. they are in serious trouble! I enjoyed the halftime break as I watched Thurston and wally whinge in emphatic fashion over the penalty try, really got their panties in knots those two
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
Hypocrisy is the new black in Sydney this year, it was only 2 years ago that you burned the stalwart idols Gallen and Farrah as well their legacy branding them greedy ball pigs and stone heads. The vitriol was biblical, its big Shazas turn this year poor bugger .The invisible Mitchell Pierce the only one who hasn't bagged him down there is named Wayne. Yet you put all this transference on us . we'll be back next year with a much stronger side you guys will play almost the same one with a couple of uncalled for changes from media driven hype . Enjoy the win you really deserved it a lot of close losses in the last 13 years that could have gone either way. Thats footy.
Paul
Roar Guru
Great stuff Dane. Your first sentence summed up what Qld will be doing for the next 10 years, or until Cronk & Thurston clones can be found - they'll blame the halves. The nice thing is, the have plenty of guys trying desperately to wear the Maroon 6 or 7, not fully understanding how they'll be crucified when they join the lsit of other halves who have succombed to the chokers tag. Hunt, DCE, Ash Taylor, Morgan, the list is alreadypretty long. Of course, Qld will need to also find a Cam Smith clone and they're likely to find a few Robbie Farahs first. McCullough is already in the firing line - his performances are described as "reliable" as opposed to Smith's "god like" efforts In all, it promises to be a good time to be a psych, north of the border. They should have plenty of work.
kk
Guest
An Eldridge gang buster. Cutting,incisive,final...or is it? Emergency supplies of Rabies Vaccine has been airlifted to twenty two cities and towns throughout Bananaland to help control a breakout of the mad dog syndrome. Like most sports Rugby League is played between the ears. Roarer Mayes pointed out that the IQ of the Big 4 is irreplaceable. In a burst of pioneering bravado the entire Maroons Origin squad have been electronically connected to the Big 4 under strict medical supervision. This was a last resort before O3 at home on July 11. They should also get their eyes tested. Walters, Myles & Lockyer (Wamyllo.com.au) are now Queensland's most talked about funeral directors...and for all the right reasons. They should have been included at the connection.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha, that's pure gold. XXXX Gold no less.
Nat
Roar Guru
This is utter guff Dane. The screams for DCE's head came thick and fast from the the Qld hoard after 2014. It just seems louder coming from dual craniums!
CTSTORM
Guest
What the 8 year kids who grew up with noting to celebrate?
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
I remember reading an article this year about how NSW were the state that ate its own; LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW??? :)
Taree Raider
Guest
How can you say such things, QLD pick & stick, their fans are loyal. Surely someone from QLD other than the coaching staff will attend game 3 this year at Suncorp Stadium
Jara W
Guest
There are primary school children in Queensland who haven’t seen their team win since last year.