Game 3 2024 looms as a gigantic mountain to climb for the Blues. If NSW wishes to avoid a Game 3 face-off for a decider, they must shut QLD out of the series in the first 2 games. If NSW cannot shut QLD out of a Game win in either of the first 2 Games of next year, they face the daunting task of a Game 3 Suncorp Stadium showdown. The likeliehood of a NSW victory in an Origin decider at Suncorp given their track record is a long shot.
Of course things are a long way off. The pressure is absolutely on the Blues to play flawless Rugby League. The pressure is absolutely on the Blues to turn possession into points. The pressure is absolutely on the Blues to turn field position into a victory. The pressure is on the Blues to not play like the Blues have been.
NSW are falling back into being the team which snatches defeat from the jaws of Victory. They appear to be unable to figure out how to dig their way out of multiple critical mistakes which are on a repeat cycle. Losing 3 out of the last 4 series doesn't imbue the Blues brains trust with a record of merit. More a disaster report.
QLD haven't won 2024 until Game 3 is over. However, of the two teams QLD look to be in the most healthy position to face this series. NSW with a new coach start with a blank slate marred by a sullied record of recent defeats. The Blues have turned pressure on QLD into pressure on themselves.
The pressure on NSW is volcanic. They either shut QLD down completely both early in the series and early in Game 1 itself. They take that volcanic pressure into the kickoff in Game 1 and every QLD point, every QLD try from the very start of Game 1 right through every moment of all of the 3 Origin Games, sets the stage for a NSW implosion. On the other side, every failed NSW play, every poor NSW pass, every shithouse NSW kick takes breath out of the Blues lungs as they shoot themselves in both feet. That failure to impliment a perfect Game in Game 1 ratchets up the stress, poor judgement and rash plays. The pressure on the Blues is like a handicap they cannot offload. The Blues carry that into Game 1 and it increases as they implode. To correct that the Blues must play pefectly. To release that volcanic pressure they cannot make mistakes which hand QLD the advantage. The Blues need to convert every situation into points or face the fact that they don't capitalise. If they don't capitalise early in Game 1 2024 the situation becomes even more critical and the chances of the Blues wheels falling off multiplies. If the pressure of consistent failure resulting from losing 3 of the last 4 series is insurmountable, the Blues will watch the series slip away. Again.
3 consecutive series wins for QLD doesn't look at all unlikely.
