It’s like Origin started early. The beginning of the NRL season saw a renaissance north of the Tweed, with a fourth Queensland team in the mix and the original Maroon standard bearer back to their best.
The Broncos and Dolphins have been the highlights for Queensland footy in 2023, but the Titans and Cowboys had their moments too, with Magic Round the first time that all four representatives from the Sunshine State had won on the same weekend.
But since then, the tables have turned. Look at the NRL ladder today, and it’s New South Wales all the way: Panthers top, then Souths, then the Sharks in third.
Moreover, the match-ups between the sides that have the most Maroons players and those that contribute the most to the Blues have made for sorry reading for Queensland fans.
It began well enough early on, with the Broncos nipping a win over Penrith in Round 1 and the Dolphins marking their arrival in the NRL with a crushing win over James Tedesco’s Roosters. Melbourne, with Cam Munster and Harry Grant to the fore, did for Parramatta as well.
But in the last months, things have begun to look ominous. The Bunnies thrashed the Dolphins and Broncos on their own turf, then did for the Storm – quasi-Queenslanders – too.
Penrith made light work of Brisbane last week, too, and the Cowboys have copped batterings off the Sharks and the Wests Tigers.
There had been a feeling among many that the draw had been kinder to the Queensland teams, and pitted big NSW outfits against one another in early season clashes.
Now, with attention turning to rep footy, that might begin to play into those clubs’ hands, with the bulk of Blues players being more battle-hardened thanks to their tougher schedules at club level.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Notably, the Panthers and Souths have put on big runs of form in recent weeks to rocket them up the table, with Blues lock Isaah Yeo suggesting that Penrith’s difficult beginning to their Premiership defence would assist in wresting the Shield back for New South Wales.
“It’s not just the last few weeks,” said Yeo of the Panthers’ recent form.
“Over the body of work, we’ve been in every contest. Even our losses have been tight, so you’re having to play and compete for 80 minutes.
“That’s going to hold us in good stead going into Origin where it’s the toughest 80 minutes you can have.
“I feel like our body of work has really helped us and got our attack flowing together, but our defence has always been good. That’s what you need to do at this level and it’s definitely given me confidence.”
It’s not just his side, too. Souths have had to be at their best on multiple occasions to defeat other NRL frontrunners, with Cam Murray and Latrell Mitchell playing starring roles in their rise to the top of the ladder.
According to Yeo, that can only mean good things for NSW.
“Souths have been outstanding too,” he said. “So much comes off Cam and off the back of that there’s Latrell and he’s been outstanding as well.
“They deserve to be spoken out at the highest level at the moment. It’s a good thing because it means you’re in form coming in.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
You do realise there are some pretty good players in the Queensland side, right? Don't worry about that, though.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I would rather support St George and believe me that's saying something.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
That's part of what I love - the team comes from everywhere. NZ, QLD, VIC, even NSW. All combining to make the greatest team in the NRL. You should be a part of it! Honestly, you'll have more ups and less heartache than following the Cows. And we're always ready to welcome passionate supporters.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Tell ya what, when the Storm have 5 local lads in their team I will buy a membership. My feeling is though that my funeral will come first.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
The 5th Qld team, everyone knows it.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Not too late to join the Purple Haze Jimmmy. It's a team that looks after its fans, and we don't get belted by the Tigers by 48 point margins. You sound like a passionate fan, you will fit right in! And all good Storm supporters go for QLD. Just think about it :happy:
Pop
Roar Rookie
On paper and what happens on the field can be very different things. A decider in Sydney, it will be close.
Beast
Roar Rookie
Yea… but this time it will be a “roving Tommy T’” and a roving N Hynes.
Beast
Roar Rookie
Right … with the addition of Latrell, JAK, Niko and a couple of new faces in the forwards. I don’t give QLD any chance of winning the series.
MUCK
Roar Rookie
Any team starting out model themselves on being as QUEENSLAND as they come. It just makes sense and means your modelling on being a winner.
Nat
Roar Guru
Knives? Nah, Buzz isn’t a Qlder and we wouldn’t pay $2 for his opinion. Talk about getting touched up, didn’t the NSW Capt just lose to the last place Saints? Not quite as bad as souths losing to 14th I guess. Penrith did make good use of the bunker to get one over an understrength Broncos. I’m not sure Tommy’s hammies can carry the weight of NSW if he can’t catch a backrower. No fear, it’s not like Fifita is offloading everywhere or putting on 90m run away tries.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice one One contest I’m glad Queensland has won :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
Funny how the same beers can have the opposite affect watching the same thing. :silly: When you see the kid live, how much ground he covers, the chat, the speed, you can see what Billy is talking about. I would have still gone with Ponga but I am excited to see what this kid can do when playing up with and against the best.
Nat
Roar Guru
You wouldn’t believe it, according to wiki is is Qld by 3 caps.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The exuberance of youth. The kid can certainly move. I must admit I enjoyed watching him from the stands at Magic Round (an arvo of beers had numbed the pain of the game itself).
Nat
Roar Guru
2.5 is probably fair. The beauty and problem for us both is that he is a gold fish. You can see his attacking plan before he picks up the ball. It’s the ones that stick that equals points. Billy won’t replace him.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
What's the over/under for Walsh errors? I'm seeing 2.5 but some outlets are at 3.5. 2 early errors and that is him done for the night. Munster to FB, Hunt to the halves.
Nat
Roar Guru
I have no doubt the best advantage of Walsh is his talk and Billy will be driving that. Everywhere Turbo wanders Walsh will be on the blow horn. An in-form Turbo will be everywhere but he will be taking hit ups, ala ‘21, to his own peril. Mitchell is what he is, he’ll wait out wide for the ball to come to him. Hammer won’t be beaten for pace or instinct. In poker terms I think Freddy is holding Jacks under the gun.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Fair call Pop. There’s no doubt that Trell & Turbo are significant upgrades to Staggs & Wighton. Throw in a speedy JAC and suddenly the NSW backline is miles better than 2022s version. Billy will be pushing the umbrella defence all night. Tough to do over 80 defending quality targets.
Albo
Roar Rookie
You sure Billy hasn't got Aces & 8's ? :silly: