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I realised last night after the game finished that it also signalled the closing chapter on another decade in the Origin saga. Final record (at my count) shows that between Game 1 2010 and last night, Qld won 18 matches to NSW winning 12, and is fairly well reflected in the series wins.
As a NSWman, 2010 was the worst series I recall. In none of the 3 games did the Blues look competitive or unified. Qld swept the series 3-0 and made it look like a training run. When people praise Bellamy's coaching ability, I always remember how grubby and one-dimensional his Origin teams looked, culminating in that 2010 series. Was glad to see the back of him.
2011 and 2012 were better- Ricky (for his flaws at NRL coaching level real or perceived) had the right mindset for the NSW coaching gig. NSW staged a spirited fightback to level the series in 2011, but then an awful half of football cost them in the Brisbane decider. 2012 was one that got away- you could say Qld were lucky to win that (Inglis's knock-on called a try which killed the Blues' momentum in Game 1, then that blatant interference that magically didn't get called in the decider, leading to Qld winning by a field goal to make it 7 on the trot). It was bittersweet and I imagine this is similar to how Qlders are feeling right now- you showed you could push the Champions right to the end, but you come up with nothing to show for it.
2013 brought Laurie Daley and I was initially happy with his easy-going presence. Should've won that 2013 series if Pearce didn't shit the bed and Hayne/ Fergo/ Dugan didn't get injured or behave like the 4 boys from 'Inbetweeners' on a bender. Again frustrating because Qld looked more vulnerable than they had since their streak started- but we (NSW) just couldn't turn 2 home games and going 1-0 up into claiming the shield back at last. 2014- Game 1 was arguably the game of the decade. It was meant to be Qld's night (100th Origin game. At Suncorp. Artie's jersey. KWEEEENSLANDAAAAH!) but the Blues were gutsy and showed what they were capable of as a defensive unit. Culminating in that magic night at ANZ when Trent Hodgkinson forever became a hero with 9 minutes to go and scored the lone try of the game. From a purists' sense it was definitely not a game for the highlights reels. It was a grim, dull encounter very much like the mid 80's Grand Finals and only memorable because it was the night NSW broke their drought and won the shield back. They deserved it after the effort they showed and 2-3 years of coming up just short in deciding matches.
2015 started well enough. Then came Game 3. Disgraceful. Whatever Laurie had achieved the year before, after this game he should've been put on notice. Qld ran riot to see Mal off on his birthday and NSW put in the most limp performance I can recall since Qld got 56 put past them back in 2000. 2016 should've been the end of Laurie's reign. Qld still had a good side, but to very nearly get swept 3-0 after NSW had the absolute glut of penalties in the decider and only save face thanks to a miracle try was surely the sign it was time for a fresh influence. But for some reason the NSWRL didn't act and along comes 2017. No disrespect to Qld but FMD how they won that series baffles me. Thrashed at home in Game 1, looking to get thrashed again in Game 2 going into half time but then NSW play the dumbest f**king bone headed football that was completely at odds with the momentum of the game. Trying to defend a 10 point lead with half an hour to go when Qld were there for killing off time and time and time again...I can't recall ever seeing a side hobble over the line for a win like Qld did that night. To their credit though, Qld were polished and professional while NSW clearly learned nothing- and I was convinced never wanted to see the likes of Wade Graham or Fergo in the sky blue ever again (ha!) The silver lining to this wasted series was that at least Daley was given the flick at last. Like Wally at Qld, he proved that it's one thing to be a star Origin player, but that doesn't mean you can translate it to coaching.
Then enter Freddy. I knew he was unconventional, but in Origin the mental aspect is a big part of it. NSW were poor at this during Daley's reign, but Freddy turned it around quick. We saw the result of that last year where NSW had to chase deficits or hold out while a man down for 10 minutes, with 11 debutants- but they showed enthusiasm and belief and capitalised on playing a Qld team winding down from their golden period. If Daley had stuck around and that bone-headed, mentally fragile culture had stuck around then I don't know if NSW win last year. This year again- Freddy got bagged for his selection choices, but NSW reminded me of the Qld teams at the start of this decade- they might have been outplayed at times, but they never panicked. In Game 1 they played badly for 30 minutes but still lost only because of a pass from Wighton that was equally brave and stupid. Game 2 they highlighted the difference in our forward pack vs Qld and showed no mercy. Then last night- and I've already shared my thoughts on the qualities I saw in that game from NSW, and afterwards too.
In the 80's Qld dominated and NSW won just 2 series. Then in the 90's NSW were on top and Qld managed 3 series wins (a drawn series doesn't count and I wouldn't argue any different is NSW were the reigning champs. It was a garbage ruling for a best of 3 series and it needed to be changed). This decade of Qld dominance, NSW still managed to win 3 series- and it could very well have been 4 or even possibly 5 with a combination of smarter football in a single half and a 50/50 decision going their way.
The word "rebuild" gets thrown around a lot, but Qld need to change how their team operates. What worked when their awesome spine ran the show isn't going to work with the fresh faces in. But that's their problem and I won't lose a wink of sleep if it takes them a while to act on it. As for NSW? Considering how the decade started- the futures' looking really positive. NSW have enough forwards at their disposal that even their 'B' squad is better than Qld's, and you wouldn't even need to call on Sharon to plod his way to another 30k cheque. Freddy has built a good, positive culture in the side too and there were signs that reflected this all last night.
So hopefully this continues to manifest in the 20's- and NSW reclaim much of the ground Qld have taken from them over the past 15 years and then some!
As a NSWman, 2010 was the worst series I recall. In none of the 3 games did the Blues look competitive or unified. Qld swept the series 3-0 and made it look like a training run. When people praise Bellamy's coaching ability, I always remember how grubby and one-dimensional his Origin teams looked, culminating in that 2010 series. Was glad to see the back of him.
2011 and 2012 were better- Ricky (for his flaws at NRL coaching level real or perceived) had the right mindset for the NSW coaching gig. NSW staged a spirited fightback to level the series in 2011, but then an awful half of football cost them in the Brisbane decider. 2012 was one that got away- you could say Qld were lucky to win that (Inglis's knock-on called a try which killed the Blues' momentum in Game 1, then that blatant interference that magically didn't get called in the decider, leading to Qld winning by a field goal to make it 7 on the trot). It was bittersweet and I imagine this is similar to how Qlders are feeling right now- you showed you could push the Champions right to the end, but you come up with nothing to show for it.
2013 brought Laurie Daley and I was initially happy with his easy-going presence. Should've won that 2013 series if Pearce didn't shit the bed and Hayne/ Fergo/ Dugan didn't get injured or behave like the 4 boys from 'Inbetweeners' on a bender. Again frustrating because Qld looked more vulnerable than they had since their streak started- but we (NSW) just couldn't turn 2 home games and going 1-0 up into claiming the shield back at last. 2014- Game 1 was arguably the game of the decade. It was meant to be Qld's night (100th Origin game. At Suncorp. Artie's jersey. KWEEEENSLANDAAAAH!) but the Blues were gutsy and showed what they were capable of as a defensive unit. Culminating in that magic night at ANZ when Trent Hodgkinson forever became a hero with 9 minutes to go and scored the lone try of the game. From a purists' sense it was definitely not a game for the highlights reels. It was a grim, dull encounter very much like the mid 80's Grand Finals and only memorable because it was the night NSW broke their drought and won the shield back. They deserved it after the effort they showed and 2-3 years of coming up just short in deciding matches.
2015 started well enough. Then came Game 3. Disgraceful. Whatever Laurie had achieved the year before, after this game he should've been put on notice. Qld ran riot to see Mal off on his birthday and NSW put in the most limp performance I can recall since Qld got 56 put past them back in 2000. 2016 should've been the end of Laurie's reign. Qld still had a good side, but to very nearly get swept 3-0 after NSW had the absolute glut of penalties in the decider and only save face thanks to a miracle try was surely the sign it was time for a fresh influence. But for some reason the NSWRL didn't act and along comes 2017. No disrespect to Qld but FMD how they won that series baffles me. Thrashed at home in Game 1, looking to get thrashed again in Game 2 going into half time but then NSW play the dumbest f**king bone headed football that was completely at odds with the momentum of the game. Trying to defend a 10 point lead with half an hour to go when Qld were there for killing off time and time and time again...I can't recall ever seeing a side hobble over the line for a win like Qld did that night. To their credit though, Qld were polished and professional while NSW clearly learned nothing- and I was convinced never wanted to see the likes of Wade Graham or Fergo in the sky blue ever again (ha!) The silver lining to this wasted series was that at least Daley was given the flick at last. Like Wally at Qld, he proved that it's one thing to be a star Origin player, but that doesn't mean you can translate it to coaching.
Then enter Freddy. I knew he was unconventional, but in Origin the mental aspect is a big part of it. NSW were poor at this during Daley's reign, but Freddy turned it around quick. We saw the result of that last year where NSW had to chase deficits or hold out while a man down for 10 minutes, with 11 debutants- but they showed enthusiasm and belief and capitalised on playing a Qld team winding down from their golden period. If Daley had stuck around and that bone-headed, mentally fragile culture had stuck around then I don't know if NSW win last year. This year again- Freddy got bagged for his selection choices, but NSW reminded me of the Qld teams at the start of this decade- they might have been outplayed at times, but they never panicked. In Game 1 they played badly for 30 minutes but still lost only because of a pass from Wighton that was equally brave and stupid. Game 2 they highlighted the difference in our forward pack vs Qld and showed no mercy. Then last night- and I've already shared my thoughts on the qualities I saw in that game from NSW, and afterwards too.
In the 80's Qld dominated and NSW won just 2 series. Then in the 90's NSW were on top and Qld managed 3 series wins (a drawn series doesn't count and I wouldn't argue any different is NSW were the reigning champs. It was a garbage ruling for a best of 3 series and it needed to be changed). This decade of Qld dominance, NSW still managed to win 3 series- and it could very well have been 4 or even possibly 5 with a combination of smarter football in a single half and a 50/50 decision going their way.
The word "rebuild" gets thrown around a lot, but Qld need to change how their team operates. What worked when their awesome spine ran the show isn't going to work with the fresh faces in. But that's their problem and I won't lose a wink of sleep if it takes them a while to act on it. As for NSW? Considering how the decade started- the futures' looking really positive. NSW have enough forwards at their disposal that even their 'B' squad is better than Qld's, and you wouldn't even need to call on Sharon to plod his way to another 30k cheque. Freddy has built a good, positive culture in the side too and there were signs that reflected this all last night.
So hopefully this continues to manifest in the 20's- and NSW reclaim much of the ground Qld have taken from them over the past 15 years and then some!
