It’s been a week since Game 3 of Origin and with pretty much any discussion on the game revolving around post-match drama I figured I’d take the opportunity to remind everyone that a game did in fact take place prior to the awards ceremony.
Having watched the game live from the stadium as well as on replay, I noticed just how much doesn’t translate through the narrow view of the TV screen.
So here are a couple of my observations on the game, without a commentary team filtering my impressions and choppy camera work obscuring my view.
Suncorp Stadium
Honestly, is there a better stadium to watch rugby league? There’s not a bad seat in the house and even my vantage point, up in the third tier, didn’t feel very far from the action.
Words simply can’t do the atmosphere justice. It doesn’t get much better than Origin in Brisbane.
Billy Slater and Daly Cherry-Evans were the busiest players
The view from the stands gives a great perspective on plays as they are unfolding and those two were in everything, particularly in the first half.
DCE made sure he was always in position to get plays started and to create opportunities, and covered a hell of a lot of ground to do so. His efforts highlighted the direction and execution Queensland had been sorely missing in the first two games.
Slater, on the other hand, was constantly in support once the plays were on, pushing up, putting himself in gaps and always a genuine option around every opportunity.
Both were also vital in closing off NSW’s attack in the first half as well, directing their players and shutting down plays on the edges before they were even on. It wasn’t until NSW got a bit more room in the middle that they started making inroads.
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Speed
There was a clear difference in speed between the two sides. Surprisingly it wasn’t so much in attack that this advantaged the Blues, as it was in defence.
The difference in speed on the edges meant that NSW was able to quickly scramble, shutting down the breaks the Maroons did create. Having the luxury of speed also meant that wingers rushing in to stop plays before they got to the edges was a lot less risky, and with Queensland spreading the ball wide early in the count, this gave the Blues edges time and space to chase Queensland down if they did break through.
All this went a long way to ensuring that Queensland’s dominance in the first half didn’t translate into a blow-out on the scoreboard.
NSW’s plan for Slater
NSW had clearly done their homework on the retiring champion, which was not as apparent on TV.
Whenever a kick would go through, whichever Blues half was closest would ensure that Slater’s run was, well, significantly longer (see the 62nd minute for one example).
While this did not stop the multiple repeat sets, it certainly helped keep NSW within striking distance while Queensland enjoyed the dominance of possession in the first half, even if it did lead to a sin bin at one point.
That first half
It’s hard to do justice to just how in control Queensland were for the opening 30 minutes. While it was certainly came though the TV coverage, sitting in the stands, with eyes fixed on the goalline at the opposite end of the field made it very real.
NSW have rightly been praised for keeping Queensland to six during that period of dominance, but it came at a cost. The Blues were forced to use up valuable interchanges much earlier than they intended and towards the end of half, their edges were starting to look a bit ragged. The Blues were only able to keep it up for so long and had Queensland persisted with their patient but relentless attack, the defence was sure to crack eventually.
But, yet again in a trend that dogged the Maroons all series, they went away from what was working at the 30-minute mark, with the injection of another playmaker, and completely different attacking structures, which invited NSW back into the match.
What did you take away from the game that hasn’t made the post-match news?
Nat
Roar Guru
Thanks Wolly, I could never profess to be right all the time. Even if I exceeded 50% that would be 50% more then my little mate here. This is his version of t.r.o.l.l.i.n.g, it's hilarious really.
Nat
Roar Guru
It was a good point but you missed it completely.
Nat
Roar Guru
You're more than welcome to come up little buddy.
Roy
Guest
I can sum up the game easily ( Even share of the ball )
Fraser
Guest
I love Suncorp, but it needs to improve its food options. As a Brisbanite living in NYC, I'm amazed by the food and drink selection at stadiums here and can't understand why this approach hasn't taken off globally. They still provide the typical burger and hot dog joint, supplemented by celebrity chefs and food truck style options, with craft beer and cocktails instead of just XXXX Gold and basics. I do love a quarter chicken and chips from Red Rooster though!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Fair points mate, and I certainly didn't mean to suggest that QLD just stopped playing. QLD scored twice as much in the second half as the first so they clearly didn't stop attacking. What I was trying to say was that they went away style of play that had made them dominant in the first half. And truth be told it was more QLD's defence backing up the attack that put NSW on the back foot for the opening 30. Cook is far too dangerous to give any room to and that's what changed when McCullough was replaced. All of a sudden NSW had just enough space through he middle to punish QLD and while QLD were still able to get into good field position to attack close to the line they weren't able to camp there and apply the same pressure as they had before. Had they been able keep suffocating NSW attack they would have eventually crumbled under sheer weight of defence and they were looking decidedly close to breaking before Turbos intercept. But without McCullough tightening up the middle Cook was given room to move and set up a number of attacking runs around the middle which brought NSW right back into the game.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Perth certainly looks the goods, I look forward to seeing how it goes next year
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cheers Wally, glad you're enjoying them. You should definately make the trip, there's not too many better places to watch a big game, and you just have to cross the road to join the celebrations ;)
Forty Twenty
Guest
My main point was that QLD did attack and create the same chances after the 30 minute mark despite the lack of tries. The same thing was said about NSW in game 2 last year but without the ball and a shift of momentum it can all go pear shaped and create the illusion that a team 'stopped playing'
Lance Skelton
Guest
Too true Wally.
Wolly
Roar Guru
You’ve got no leg to stand on with you carrying on like this. Sure Nat has let emotion exceed logic in the past in the heat of the moment (you’ll struggle finding a regular roarer here who hasn’t) but you can tell by reading his posts his opinions are well thought out and regularly contributes to the discussion sticking to the topic of the article. You could take a leaf out of his book mate. Emcie, another great article. I don’t often get the time to add a comment nowadays but just wanted to let you know I really enjoy reading your stuff. This one really makes me want to fly up to Brissie just to watch an NRL game. Keep up the good work.
Lance Skelton
Guest
Hey, there's still plenty of time Emcie. Don't get ahead of yourself. I love Billy Slater, and I've seen him play 'live' a couple of times. Didn't realise how much the bloke talked. He's like Nat...he's always yelling out stuff, sometimes it's good, other times you wish he just keep his gob shut.
Lance Skelton
Guest
Great point Natty. But Billy didn't score the first try.
Lance Skelton
Guest
Never been to Suncorp Nattty...too many Queenslanders for my liking.
Lance Skelton
Guest
The new stadium in Perth is terrific Emcie. Great loos and great variety of food. Apparently they're planning on an Origin there sometime soon. Terrific thought provoking article by the way...worth the wait.
Lance Skelton
Guest
I agree Nattty. Great call.
Nat
Roar Guru
I understand and agree with the majority of what you've said but I think you make one mistake when you highlight these errors - that the rest of the game continues as normal. If Billy scores that first try the game completely changes. Qld are 6 up and receive the ball down their end, everything else is speculation. There is no 12 - 18 nil, neither intercepts happen and unlikely Walters replaces McCullough with Hunt, which he was obviously trying to increase attacking pressure while NSW are a man down.
Emcie
Roar Guru
He's definately a player you have to see live to fully appreciate. Like you said, the majority of what he does is out of shot. Even just the amount of ground he covers to get in position to recieve a kick is insane, and that positioning make a lot of good kicks look average. You can't praise the guy enough for his effort. Glad you enjoyed it mate. Thankfully no ones really tried to derail the conversation on this one
RoryStorm
Guest
Emcie, I said on an earlier post that perhaps Meninga, Daley and Lockyer could see things we couldn't see at home on the tv broadcast when it came to naming Slater as the winner of the Wally Lewis medal. I have seen the Storm play many times over the years at both Olympic & AAMI Parks. It's amazing how many times when I have watched the replays of those games when I got home home, Slater wasn't even in camera shot. Yet what he does do out of camera shot should be a lesson to all fullbacks. He doesn't stand back waiting for something to happen. He never shuts up as he runs around behind his players barking out instructions to "his" players. Slater at the back is like having another captain. Obviously I have seen many opposition fullbacks when the Storm play in Melbourne. Like many Storm supporters, I hope Slater goes around for another year because he is still (IMO) the best fullback running around. Bar none. Thanks for writing this story Emcie, even though you must have known the usual suspects would be lining up to try and shoot you down. I've only been reading & commenting on Roar since the start of this season & it's quite obvious there are people on here who seem to know "everything" & have to try and shoot every other persons thoughts or ideas down. I enjoy your columns so please, keep writing them.
Forty Twenty
Guest
NSW were down to 12 men after the 30 minute mark and history will seem to show that QLD stopped attacking effectively like they had in games one and two. Trouble is that's not the full story. The whole game changed when QLD created a two man overlap after the 30 minute mark and if they had of scored then maybe they run away with it and talk of them changing their attack doesn't happen. As in the previous games NSW became a lot more aggressive in defence and Turbo scored from an intercept and the momentum shifted dramatically. Slater was incredibly close to scoring early from a kick and this overlap should have been a QLD try. 18 nil was a possible score line at half time. One thing that's pretty clear to me after watching this series and last years. In close games you might be able to counter spells when you make mistakes or other times when the decisions don't go your way but it is almost impossible to counteract mistakes by your own players, refs and a momentum shift all at the one time.