May I remind everyone here - eight years ago Phil Gould wrote an article for a Sydney newspaper, almost demanding that Darren Lockyer stand aside from the Queensland side, and give another player an opportunity.
According to Mr Gould, Darren Lockyer was past his prime, washed up, not up to standard.
In the ensuing game, the NSW crowd watched aghast in the dying minutes of a gripping decider as Darren Lockyer swooped on a dropped NSW ball, ran about 12 metres and scored to give Queensland the win.
Darren Lockyer went on to captain Queensland in four of the next five series wins.
But that's not why Queensland have continued to dominate at State of Origin. It goes a little deeper.
Back in the 1970s and earlier, NSW financed by the poker machines that were outlawed in Queensland, poached Queensland's top players and paraded them in interstate games as NSWers, thrashing Queensland teams year after year. The arrogance. The lack of respect. Queensland got used to annual floggings at the hands of players nurtured and groomed in their own state.
There is a universal principal alive in the earth - you reap what you sow. It's as simple as that. NSW continue to reap. Get used to it.
i'd agree with most of this, plus add a few bits and pieces. when nsw were doing well in 2003-2005 they, including players like andrew johns and coaches and commentators like gus, shot off their mouths with arrogance that the stats over the history of 20 years were turning in nsw's favour. like overall wins, series wins, that sort of thing. qld had always been in front in counts like that because of our dominance in the 80's.
the grenade throwing after-try celebration was etched deep in the minds of those who played and watched that game. qld players play for those who watch, not just for their own careers and clubs. they get it that qld fans feel good about themselves and life when we win.
i remember andrew saying that he wanted to dominate origin like wally had and he did for a few games [not as many as wally did] late in his career. he was briefly interviewed at half time in a game that nsw led easily with a mountain of possession and said they could win the game even with 40% of the ball in the second half. just little shots of arrogance and no respect for the wholehearted contests between states that these games are. gallen in his days of captaincy has continued that never giving credit when the better side beats you.
and nsw talk about building a side around certain players, firstly k.gidley then pearce. looks like poor judgment to me.
nsw the last 5 years or so has just starting catching up with qld initiatives that keep our team strong like bringing new players into camp, inviting oldtimers in to inspire, and making sure in the boardroom we dont lose out like nsw getting 2 games at home when it wasnt their turn this year. i think these last 8 years winning are because qld players and coaching staff are on the same page and can play better at this level than normal nrl games. thats more about desire than raw skills and talent. must be just something we have in buckets.
