In 2006, a State of Origin reign like no other began, as Queensland won eight series wins in a row.
Leading up to tonight’s big decider, I thought it would be nice to look through that dominant period and pick their best 17.
Keep in mind, when the Maroons lost in 2014 to break the drought, they then ran in another three series wins after that, making it 11 from 12.
So I will be making my team based on the 11 series from 2006-17.
1. Billy Slater
2. Darius Boyd
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Brent Tate
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Nate Myles
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Dallas Johnson
14. Cooper Cronk
15. Steve Price
16. Ashley Harrison
17. Corey Parker
Corey Parker missed a lot of Origin in his career, maybe due to form, where Johnson and Harrison played a stack of the games. From 2015-17 however, when Parker was more seasoned, he was absolutely magnificent, winning the Wally Lewis Medal in 2015.
Johnson was as solid as anyone at the start of the era and was there for almost the first four series wins. Harrison then took over, forming a strong trio with Myles and Thaiday, before Parker kicked on. A great trio of locks!
Steve Price picks himself on the bench, a great prop in Origin.
Cronk could start really, as I liked him and JT more than JT and Locky, but Locky is a game breaker.
Johnathan Thurston of the Maroons (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The backs who did not make this side is unbelievable.
Karmichael Hunt. Israel Folau. Willie Tonga. Steve Bell. Dane Gagai. Jharal Yow Yeh. Rhys Wesser. Dane Nielsen. Matt Bowen! What a list to miss out – all undoubtedly contributed to the state’s success.
I will note that Gagai, who is a magician in Origin, was close to stealing my winger spot, but I just gave the nod to Tate.
There were also some strong contenders left out of the engine room.
David Shillington. Ben Hannant. Matt Gillett. Dave Taylor. Michael Crocker. Neville Costigan. Ben Te’o. Jacob Lillyman.
Crocker can under some real consideration for a bench spot, as did Costigan, while Lillyman is the unsung hero of Queensland rugby league – he played a bench role in so many of those series wins, but never got his fanfare.
Hooker? Wow. No question here. Smith is the skipper as well, with JT taking goal-kicking duties.
Over these 11 series wins, there were two coaches but it’s no surprise I’m going for Mal Meninga!
There you have it, my ultimate Queensland State of Origin side from their dominant era. Let’s hope the Maroons get a sneaky series win tonight!
Mike B
Guest
That would be an interesting match up. I think the pre 2006 side would definitely have the edge in the forwards. Belcher, Sailor, Meninga, Renouf, Shearer, Lewis, Langer, Lindner, Tallis, Miles, Beetson, Steve Walters, Webke res: Dowling, Gillmeister, Thorne, Kev Walters I've gone for Miles in the 2nd row rather than centre which enables me to have the speedster Renouf in the team. Miles played for Aust as a centre AND a 2nd rower - awesome player. Kev Walters covers the inside backs and Miles could shift to centre to cover an outside back injury. Lindner was a special player and, imo, is definitely a class ahead of any lock in the post 2006 era. I think the back row three of Tallis, Miles and Lindner are definitely stronger and far more dangerous in attack.
JGK
Roar Guru
Ben Hunt wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the article. Karmichael was so I didn’t even think it needed to be said!
Tony
Roar Guru
Haha. I was waiting for the pile on. That was a very lucky escape.
JGK
Roar Guru
It was weird. I could t work out why everyone was so against the idea!
Tony
Roar Guru
Thank god for that JGK. I thought you'd lost it there for a minute.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
The best of Qld pre 2006 would beat this side, i.e Lewis, Langer, Meninga, Gillmeister, Lindner, Tallis, Miles, Sailor, Thorne and co.
JGK
Roar Guru
It’s an hilarious choice. Either would be the first player chosen for NSW over the same period.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
You have those moments where the big guy is on such a red hot streak that you think you can put him anywhere. Game plan goes out the window, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Thinking Hodges at FB in 2006, Inglis moving to 5/8 for the Storm, and definitely that origin game!
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
Yeah it was for Game 1, they lost the game, but Kamikaze was on a tear! Fun to watch
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Hoffman, put him on his backside. Not sure if that was at 6 or somewhere else in the backline though. Think they lost that one from memory, so might've been a bit of hubris to put him there though, especially when they had Scotty Prince at their disposal and left him out of the team entirely.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I was watching G1 in 84 last week. Good ol' Jack Gibson said, the effort wasn't in scoring the try, it was being in position to score the try. Hnaging out on Inglis' left hip will cetainly put you in that position.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I can't think of the Melbourne backrowers name that he took personal exception to. That dude nearly ran the other way.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
So close to starting Cronk tbh mate. I liked Cronk and JT much better than JT and Locky.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
One of the best performances lol he was on a mission that night!
Nat
Roar Rookie
Big fan of Special K. Remember when he lined up at 5/8 and went on a destructive mission? I went for Morgan as my utility for similar reasons over Cronk or B Hunt.
Nat
Roar Rookie
You know maxies contribution is more salt than substance.
josh
Roar Rookie
Loved Ashley Harrison's run. No regard for his own safety. I reckon he'd run though a brick wall if Mal told him too. He was that real Queenslander player. Also Based on the other comments, Cronk never gets the love. The only time NSW won (2014) was because Cronk was injured in Game 1 and Queensland looked lost when DCE came on, and similarly for the rest of the series. I'd give the start to Cronk and bench Lockyer
ehx
Guest
Good team. Although Lockyer is captain of any team he is in. Even Smith would agree.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Love your reasoned argument Max. Ash played in 10 winning Origin games, so if he was a passenger , that was some QLD side, to win those 10 with only 12 players.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes but Artie was a legend from years at international level where Folau is not.