As we all know, Blues dynasties are historically celebrated with exaggerated claims of Origin’s death and nice lithographs.
But despite New South Wales being poised on the cusp of a fatal three-peat, thankfully the concept is guaranteed to survive. This is thanks mainly to its enduring appeal, and because the NRL needs the cash after Todd Greenberg.
Nevertheless, we must face the prospect of a new normal – a Queensland underdog side that is actually full of genuine underdogs, and not their usual self-appointed underdogs that are $1.09 and undefeated in eight years.
With NSW on-brand in a position of smug superiority, is this year’s series shaping as dire as the pundits predict? Or by drowning in injuries and transition, could the Maroons’ preparation be any more perfect?
Tensions are at a fever pitch for this year’s unique series, especially after a spiteful curtain-raiser between Gladys Berejiklian and Annastacia Palaszczuk over pandemics and whose surname is harder to spell.
But early indicators don’t bode well for a nail-biter, with NSW ahead of Queensland in experience, active cases and a field usually dominated by the Maroons: players lured to play State of Origin, but not for their state of origin.
This has resulted from Brad Fittler issuing sky blue jerseys to the Queensland-pledged Luke Keary and to Penrith’s Jarome Luai after he staked an irresistible claim with a video declaring his love for the Maroons in a Samoa jersey.
But up in Queensland, it’s a different story. While the Maroons’ forward pack is formidable, the remainder of the squad is so sorely bereft of household names and villains that this year’s Ben Ikin moment could actually be Ben Ikin.
Such has been the desperation that thoughts turned to luring Greg Inglis out of retirement and even commandeering the Melbourne Storm.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
It sounds crazy, but the premiers had already met the Maroons’ strict residency qualification rules after being stationed on the Sunshine Coast for four months.
But despite the Queenslanders being $3.80 outsiders and fielding a squad including 17 uncapped players, one thing remains: they are still the most untrustworthy entity to come from the state since Clive Palmer.
For those unaware, Maroon write-offs have made an artform of ambushing ascending NSW sides. There were lovable underdogs like Fatty’s Nevilles in 1995, and less lovable battlers of recent times who would facetiously claim outsider status – sometimes while hoisting the shield – claiming “you can never underestimate a side with Steve Turner and Jamie Buhrer.”
It has lead to the Queensland spirit becoming as Australian as apple pie and as equally cloying, a mythological concept built on cornerstones of passion, persecution and Walters brothers.
That’s why the 2020 side is perfectly positioned, with an injury crisis set to pitchfork a range of new names into the Origin arena like Brenko Lee and Phillip Sami to join the ranks of illustrious names like The King and Wally Lewis.
Setting off even more alarms for the Blues is the return of Wayne Bennett, who enters the fray at the midnight hour to replace Kevin Walters after the former boss was poached to oversee another failing Queensland institution.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
On cue, Bennett has donned his crankiest and highest-hung pants by already engaging denial mode, firstly by refusing Karl Stefanovic’s cameras before probably refusing to confirm he’s the coach or even if there’s a series this month.
New South Wales should be wary. Bennett has already worked miracles this season, not only taking South Sydney’s no-frills forward pack to a preliminary final but by also attracting allegations of cyber-trolling Anthony Seibold despite his model of phone being candlestick.
As such, we cannot rule out a series of full-blown hyperbolic passion. That’s why I’m preparing for Allan Langer to be magically lured from overseas to roll the Blues in a decider, all while serving a 14-day quarantine period.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
A New South Welshman supporting the Queenslanders?? For shame! What ever caused you to turn your coat of sky-blue to one of that despicably deep and dastardly marone ??! Seems a bit traitorous to me, but to each his own I suppose... That series you speak of, the year of super league, and Fatty’s famous series win was a travesty for the cockroaches. It’s a year that totally, “ sticks in my craw!” Particularly as I was living in the NT, a lone Blues supporter amongst a cacophony of croaking cane toads who gave me HELL for at least a year! :laughing: :crying: :crying: :laughing:
JVGO
Guest
Gladys's the Pillow Whisperer's desperate self righteous performance has actually got me going for Anna and Queensland. What is the world coming to when Queensland is now a more civilised place than the dreary culture dead funless zone of Sydney's Gladysopolis? Can Gladys ride a bulldozer into the arena to warm us up?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Origin interest is highest when QLD is on top. The cookie counters will want a QLD resurgence soon.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
If they do.. look out Blues
Rossi
Roar Rookie
You are the worst type of Queenslander, the Blues turncoat
Joe
Roar Rookie
If qld are to win one it has to be the first. Depth is a big issue and if they cant win with their best fresh its going to be downhill from there.
fr4d
Guest
That'd be funny if the first sentence didn't have an unnerving a ring of truth to it
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Just thinking about this, about the pending Origin series in the context of 2020, and I'm reminded of all the hard work and sacrifice that has (ultimately) made the 2020 season seem almost normal. I'd really like to thank everyone that got us (the sport) this far (the clubs/players/NRL/everyone) and I hope they realise that they have done such an awesome job that we (as spectators/supporters) have allbut forgotten how hard this year has actually been. Thank you, you've done an amazing job, and you should all be very proud of what you've accomplished.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I'd add, with the exception of HB, I think NSW could have a spine at least equivalent to Qld's from the players in their current squad if those listed above didn't play, through Gutho, Wighton or Walker and McInnes. All that said, if Qld want it more and/or if they monopolise the "luck" they could still get the win.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
Compared to Teddy, Keary, Cleary (in current form) and Cook? I think that highlights the Qld spine as a combination of promising/potential (Brimson), very worthy (Munster), and "it's only just past the use by date, it should be O.K".
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I hear that and may well turn out just like that but a side with Munster, Brimson, DCE and Friend in the spine is going to be competitive. Their forward pack isn’t that shabby either.. not as flash maybe but hard workers nonetheless
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
There is a school of thought in sport that it is not healthy for a side to dominate for a lengthy period however I was living in Brisbane for that duration and the locals never tired of seeing NSW beaten. Prior to the SOO concept in 1980, Queensland were soundly beaten quite regularly. Now SOO has been deferred to the end of this crazy season, it will be interesting to see how it rates. At least the Test Cricket hasn’t commenced however SOO Game 1 is sandwiched between Melbourne Cup and Oaks Day. V’Landys said if successful he will consider an end of season series next year. Can’t see it happening.
Aiden
Guest
I like to think of the Kangaroos sides packed with superstars who don’t show up on the day, don’t gel on the field and fail to beat teams like Tonga or the Kiwis. Still ... I can only see that happening once this series. I think it will be 2-1 with Qld winning a close one and NSW putting us to the sword in the other two.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Dane, you've had a good response to this article. I'm interested in your view that SOO has enduring appeal. Now I still watch the SOO every year. And I can tell you that people were watching the game in the 1980s who would normally never watch a game of RL, and that included the ladies. You could hear barracking up and down our street in those days. And there's no doubt that people still roll up to the stadiums on game day. Is it still the case that the concept has enduring appeal? I'd be interested to know what the figures are for pay and FTA TV. And that's because I've wondered for a while if the concept is a little tired and that overall support has waned somewhat.
Simon
Guest
Hunt got QLD's players' player award last series, I think he's been really good in Origin and had to be on the bench. For me the Friend vs Grant argument is where it's at
Big Daddy
Guest
Nat, if I recall they were saying the same thing when NSW were getting walloped by Qld. I'm still a firm believer of holding it in NSW and Qld . Forget the other states. If they want to promote the game in other states it should be club matches.
Nat
Roar Guru
How is getting belted by the Kiwis going to help their cause?
Big Daddy
Guest
The people who tipped a Roosters 3 peat are probably the same ones picking NSW. They are probably right but it's always in the back of your mind what if !!!
matth
Roar Guru
Nicely done.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Graham. I’m with you and not just the years you said. Since game ‘1’!!!!, through most of all the 80’s at least till the end of the decade the media read and public followed it as the NSW players from the country’s richest comp had it in the bag. Not till the second half of the 80’s did those guys get ‘prediction’ and ‘on paper’ respect. I’m NSW to the end and think on paper NSW this year, are the team, but ‘this Origin thing’, it’s different.