State of Origin 2025

[Blair]

Here we are again. For better or worse we're starting to discuss it, so let's get the annual thread up!

Game One: Brisbane May 28th.
Game Two: Perth June 18th.
Game Three: Sydney July 9th.

I've never been to an Origin game, perhaps I should? Who's been?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I’ve been to 2. Think it was 2010 at Suncorp, and 2013 at Homebush (the streaker game)

Wore blue to Suncorp to add to the experience. Remember more about the night afterwards than the actual game

2013 was a ripper week, Origin on Wednesday, Tigers v Warriors at Leichhardt on Friday, Roosters v Sharks at SFS on Saturday and Manly v Titans at Brookvale on the Sunday

 

[JJ]

Sadly I’ve never been in the right place at the right time. Life’s for living, go!!! You won’t regret it, surely?

 

[Blair]

Sadly I’ve never been in the right place at the right time. Life’s for living, go!!! You won’t regret it, surely?

The trouble is just when I start thinking seriously about it, it's sold out. My main league 'life's for living' thing has to be the Warriors at Mt Smart. It's never happened.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

The trouble is just when I start thinking seriously about it, it's sold out. My main league 'life's for living' thing has to be the Warriors at Mt Smart. It's never happened.

Great atmosphere when packed out. You must attend at one stage of your life. I was at the 2002 QF vs. Raiders. We picked them apart. Stacey, Ali and co were on fire. I saw Stacey Morrison (Daniels) in the crowd I think she was dating Awen Guttenbeil at the time. Actually, she saw me and came over as I had a one of a kind holographic Warriors sunglass on. It drew her in that's for sure.

Fun times.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Never been, hoping Melbourne gets a game next year as I'll be living there. Nek minnit, they hold an Origin game in NZ! But I am looking forward to being on Aussie time to watch game 3, and in fact all the NRL games. I haven't watched an Origin in years as 10.30pm NZT is a bridge too far for me.

Such good memories watching Origin with mates in my 20s, trying to find a local pub that would stay open long enough to let us watch it.

I respect the hell out of Matua and guys who hold up the Kiwis and Tests as the pinnacle, but I get excited about Origin because the players see it as the one they go the hardest for. Already, listening to pods etc about it is intriguing.

 

[Big Marn]

Here are my teams with a few hot takes.

Blues
*********
Edwards
To'o
Crighton
Mitchell
Lomax
Luai
Cleary
Barnett
Robson
Haas
Olukatai
Martin
Yeo
Watson
Leniu
May
Crighton
Young (18th man)

Maroons
*********
The Hammer
Coates
Purdue
Holmes
Taulagi
Munster
DCE
Carrigan
Grant
Motuaika
Gilbert
Fermor
Tino
Dearden
Collins
Cotter
Sua
Drinkwater (18th Man)

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Last one I caught was game 1 in Sydney back in '16. Did the whole Batchys Blues thing with the wig and sitting in their bays, so the atmosphere was pretty cool, but the game itself was pretty average from memory. Never been to a Suncorp game though. Hopefully get to do that one day.

 

[Scott]

Been to 2.

Game 1 - 1995 SFS
Qld 2 - 0. It was actually a great game to be at, despite the scoreline. It was the first game of Fatty's Nevilles.

Game 1 - 1998 SFS
Qld 24 - 23.
Joey missed a whole lot of kicks. Qld scored with a minute to go. Tonie Carroll. Lockyer kicked the goal to win it.

Would love to experience an Origin at Suncorp.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Such good memories watching Origin with mates in my 20s, trying to find a local pub that would stay open long enough to let us watch it.

I respect the hell out of Matua and guys who hold up the Kiwis and Tests as the pinnacle, but I get excited about Origin because the players see it as the one they go the hardest for. Already, listening to pods etc about it is intriguing.

Origin is actually my earliest memory of rugby league from watching it with my old man back in the mid-80s, so it’s been a big one for me ever since.

Lunchtime Origin games at school (weirdly competitive given none us had even been to Aus at the time), setting off fireworks outside the homes of QLD supporters the night of a NSW win, Thur morning trash talk… fun times. And now my son is right into it too so I get to enjoy it with him now.

 

[Scott]

Origin is actually my earliest memory of rugby league from watching it with my old man back in the mid-80s, so it’s been a big one for me ever since.

Lunchtime Origin games at school (weirdly competitive given none us had even been to Aus at the time), setting off fireworks outside the homes of QLD supporters the night of a NSW win, Thur morning trash talk… fun times. And now my son is right into it too so I get to enjoy it with him now.

Same with my 15 year old. It is so good being able to walk him down memory lane on youtube with all things Rugby League.

 

[Big Marn]

The 12th man tapes with SOO were great. His Darrel Eastlake impersonation was spot on. "Currys been going straight through him all night"
Would never see the light of day into days pc world.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

The 12th man tapes with SOO were great. His Darrel Eastlake impersonation was spot on. "Currys been going straight through him all night"
Would never see the light of day into days pc world.

Pearce off Jack, Gibbs On

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Headlines say Laurie Daley has been asking around club land about Terrell May, and the answers coming back to him will lead to him not being selected for Game 1

 

[Big Marn]

Headlines say Laurie Daley has been asking around club land about Terrell May, and the answers coming back to him will lead to him not being selected for Game 1

Plenty of mongrels have played Origin. Why weaken your team because someones not a saint?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Plenty of mongrels have played Origin. Why weaken your team because someones not a saint?

Sounds like it is more around his defensive weaknesses and how badly they could be exposed at Origin level. I thought he was a certainly but heard Willie Mason mention the last couple of weeks he has spotted some flaws as well so that must be going around

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Plenty of mongrels have played Origin. Why weaken your team because someones not a saint?

Just read the fox sports article - only mentions supposed defensive deficiencies (despite a 91% tackle efficiency rating), and the fact he's an "eccentric character" and Daley only has 10 days to prep the team...

On the defensive side I can only assume it relates to poor defensive positioning? that wouldn't show in efficiency stats and if so, that's fair enough.

But eccentric and only 10 days to prep? dunno what thats supposed to mean. Weird man.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Headlines say Laurie Daley has been asking around club land about Terrell May, and the answers coming back to him will lead to him not being selected for Game 1

Was it ever revealed why the Roosters were so keen to move him on? It's not like they had anything to replace him. I always found that weird, like they got the spooks because he's a May or if there was more there.

Because he's got a massive motor, his work rate is probably made for Origin

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Was it ever revealed why the Roosters were so keen to move him on? It's not like they had anything to replace him. I always found that weird, like they got the spooks because he's a May or if there was more there.

This was the last thing I read on it:

‘Rubbish’ claim in race to sign Reynolds; real reason behind May’s Roosters exit — Extra Time

‘Rubbish’ claim in race to sign Reynolds; real reason behind shock Roosters exit — Extra Time

www.foxsports.com.au

Seems to make sense, cos if he was a dick they had two and a half years to figure that out before giving him an extension. Doesnt explain why Loz could be going cold on him though.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Was it ever revealed why the Roosters were so keen to move him on? It's not like they had anything to replace him. I always found that weird, like they got the spooks because he's a May or if there was more there.

Because he's got a massive motor, his work rate is probably made for Origin

The offical line was similar to the line the Warriors spouted when they let Lauiti’iti go. There is a theory, DCE asked Manly for a release last year and May was part of clearing the decks for that. That same theory is operating now that they have flicked Smith, saw the opportunity to move Young, and are shopping Townsend to Super League, so they can get DCE in by June 30. Could explain why DCE is currently stinking up Brookvale as well