Even though the word ‘narrative’ has spread like wildfire through sports media, the Maroons’ story has never changed. Just like Alfie Langer was to Glenn Lazarus, Queensland has always prided itself in a mismatch.
More Origin 2
» REPORT: Blues stifle Maroons to claim series
» TALKING POINTS: Where do Queensland go from here?
» Origin 2, as it happened: Play-by-play commentary
» VIDEO: Latrell’s amazing intercept try
» VIDEO: Trbojevic’s sensational try-saver on Coates
Right from the very first night when a 35-year-old Arthur Beetson manhandled Sydney’s best at Lang Park, to the decider at the same venue 40 years later, more often than not, Queensland has had the last laugh.
So why should 2021 be any different?
New South Wales may have galloped to victory in Townsville, but revenge is a Queenslander’s best friend. And while the magnitude of the loss is something new, history says Brisbane’s roaring warlords will return en masse to Suncorp Stadium hellbent on ensuring it remains Brad Fittler’s kryptonite.
For all their class in the series opener, even after four decades, doubt remains over the Blues’ ability to fully grasp the Origin message – it doesn’t matter who should win, it’s who wants to win more that counts.
In last year’s series opener in Adelaide, the Blues coasted to a 10-0 halftime lead before dozing to a loss. In Sydney, they dominated from start to finish only to be ambushed by a hungrier opponent in the Brisbane decider.
For New South Wales, achieving back-to-back success seems on par with an attempt to hurdle grandma’s old wooden fence.
Outside of Cameron Munster and Josh Papalii, Daly Cherry-Evans leads a mostly ragtag bunch cobbled together from limited supply – a textbook Queensland booby trap.
Yet for all their shortcomings, on paper at least, this Maroons line-up is far superior to last year’s winning combination.
That said, you don’t have to be Brad Fittler to realise the Blues have grown an extra leg too.
Even though Melbourne gave Penrith a reality check in last season’s grand final, the five Panthers in Freddy’s 17 are definitely hungrier for the heartbreak.
And unlike previous Blues iterations where Mitchell Pearce mirrored the doubts of an entire state, the unflappable Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai bring a refreshing air of calmness.
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
But it’s the explosive power in the Blues’ rear wheels that sets them apart.
If James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell are the New South Wales answer to Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, then Tom Trbojevic is a hybrid of both – like a sinister chemical reaction that has busted from the vault of an illegal lab.
From his first hit-up in the opening set of his return against the Titans in Mudgee, Turbo hasn’t let up. That was back in Round 6.
Eight games later, with 11 tries, 15 try assists and an Origin hat-trick, there can be little doubt Turbo is the man Paul Green should fear most.
Manly’s climb up the table from wooden spoon candidate to sixth place after 15 rounds not only reflects the fullback’s dominance but is indicative of a rare ability to inspire an entire squad.
Since his New South Wales debut in 2018, the Blues have won six of 10 contests.
Trbojevic has featured in six of those, winning five, and is well on the way to a third series win in as many attempts after injury robbed him of a place in the 2020 campaign.
Kicking to the corners won’t be enough for Queensland.
Under the new rule interpretations, at some point the Blues will roll through the middle and among a sickening array of backline talent, the hovering Turbo will strike when the time is right.
But what about the problem of grandma’s old wooden fence?
Right now, you get the feeling Tommy could carry the entire state on his coattails. Ever since the Manly Corso embarrassment, Turbo has been dealing in paybacks.
And at the first sign of any Blues complacency, it’s a safe bet you-know-who will be there first guiding them back onto the front foot.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Gday Bill, great chat. So many great Manly fullbacks from Batty, Eadie to Snake and now Turbo. Each among the best of their era. Snake and Turbo share an enviable ability to read the play, Snake was quicker off the mark but Tom has the tackle busting power. For me it’s still too early in Tom’s career to compare him with the others. Eadie and Snake won multiple premierships and played at an elite level for over a decade. But if Turbo can remain injury free, I’d like to think there’s plenty of Manly good times ahead.
Bill
Roar Rookie
Brett Stewart is one of my all time favourites. I so strongly believe that if injury hadn't hit in 08 (he was named Aus fb ahead of Slater if im not mistaken but pulled out) his career would be even more glittering and history may be very different. That was the beginning of a tough time for him... but to see Tommy come through now brings so much joy. As a proud Manly supporter I hope he achieves all the highs Brett did and then some. Also would love to see a peice on the parallels between Brett and Glen and Tom and Jake. Oh how nice to be a Manly supporter :happy:
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Freddys jibe at young Walsh was interesting... and a bit rich considering the pedigree and form of his own number 1.. Ted Louganis!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good afternoon Matt. If you are referring to Barry Gomersall, he passed away some years ago. I could never understand why NSW had issues with his refereeing just because they were regularly on the wrong end of a lopsided penalty count. If you transgress, you are penalised. Simple. NSW just couldn’t understand that principle. Serial whingers.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I saw Mitchell in a trial match against the Eagles maybe 4 years ago egbert and he only got the ball about 5 times but it was something like 2 tries and two assists and a bombed try. All out of nothing just about , he was on another planet. He must be an extremely awkward proposition.
matth
Roar Guru
The Grasshopper has been seen in training. That should help some.
matth
Roar Guru
And he can take Teddy and Latrell with him for company on the plane
matth
Roar Guru
Well we are trying our best with the rain ...
KenW
Roar Rookie
And also, if Munster is defending at centre he's barely going to see Turbo. Centre is just the number he wears, he clearly has full reign to go wherever he wants (and why not, when it works so well)
egbert
Guest
it's true that halves aside, Queensland's backline would be pretty unconvincing if it were a club side, while NSW's backline has a glittering line-up of all the best players in the world. However, I still think we're walking into an ambush on Sunday and would be surprised and delighted if we got out of it with the narrowest of wins.
egbert
Guest
I like that take on Mitchell Forty Twenty - he certainly is a unique proposition when he is on: along with the much-heralded size and skill, he has a certain boniness to his physique that must be a nightmare, especially when combined with his aggression. That elbows-and-knees awkwardness is something even GI didn't have, though GI certainly has Latrell for pace, the one are in which he isn't elite.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Same thing scoring off Teddy a couple of years back , he reacted before Teddy broke thru and no one else on the field did anything. Cronk did it in the 16 GF but wasted his time as Will Chambers took the tackle. No defenders or attackers reacted to the key moment in the game except Cronk.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Inglis was close.
Paul
Roar Guru
Everything you say makes perfect sense, Jimmy except for one small problem. Munster said he had to stop Tommy and Cleary? If he's got to cover both, he'll be lucky to make it to half time before he collapses from exhaustion.
kk
Roar Pro
You are a kind and generous man, Nat.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Munster is the only player that can defend Turbo. He has the best hit and stick in the game. That means he has to defend in the centre position. You can't have Capwell defend at 6 so Hunt has to start. Hunt can actually tackle.. Now on the other side Gaigs can defend Mitchell. He was way off in game one. We know he is a mile better than that and he will be again. Leaving Capewell on Turbo is madness. If we don't stop Tom we are toast. The big plus is we will hold our own up front in this one. Bring it on.
Nat
Roar Guru
KK, Tommy's mental health needs to be considered here. If he misses Jake so, I'll personally pay for a flight home this arvo.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
imagine league without hyperbole :cricket:
Paul
Roar Guru
where's the head-scratching emoji?
mushi
Roar Guru
If it was a video of Todd Carney he'd have been high tailing it from a traffic stop!