Eels Blogs

It's that special time of year every season. When winter has begun to descend upon the rugby league land. The build-up has been going on since the end of the previous series. The people north of the border begin beating their chests, gloating and speak of that "special" Queensland pride. In the Blue country the team selections are discussed and debated until kick-off but everyone is behind their men in Blue.

If you're in Sydney then the likelihood is that you head out with 80,000 others and descend on the Olympic Stadium. The ground is bathed in blue and the atmosphere is electric. As anticipation builds the chant of NEW SOUTH WALES!! NEW SOUTH WALES!! rises to an almost deafening roar.

Blatchy's Blues are on their feet and revving up the crowd. Vince Sorrenti is just in front of them allowing everyone to have a laugh at the little patch of maroon in the stadium. Then the jeering happens as the enemy, the men dressed in maroon, appear out of the darkness of the tunnel.

It changes to a deafening roar as the terminator-like Gallen leads his men out of the darkness and into the light. The teams line-up alongside each other and stand united for the last time for the next 80 minutes as the national anthem rings out.

Then they face off. The champion Maroons on one side, the Cattledogs on the other. Each side steeped in 3 decades of heroes and villains, triumphs and defeats, all in brawls and unbelievable skills. It truly is as Arthur Beetson wanted when it launched all those years ago. From the very moment his fist met Cronin's jaw the Origin dream was realised.

2 teams, 17 men each, spill their blood in the modern version of the infamous gladiator battles. Queensland look to men like Beetson, Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Darren Lockyer, Chris Close, Alan Langer, Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis. Whilst the New South Welshmen envision the likes of Peter Sterling, Ray Price, Steve Mortimer, Steve Roach, Brett Kenny, Benny Elias, Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns.

It's a game with it's own legends and remarkable memories. From the moment Beetson hit club mate and good friend Michael Cronin, to Wally Lewis commanding the game, from Steve Mortimer collapsing to the ground to Mark Geyer standing over Lewis. From Terry Hill going nose to nose with Gorden Tallis to Andrew Johns orchestrating a NSW revival upon answering an SOS. State of Origin has had it all

It's the pinnacle of Rugby League and the centrepiece of the season. It's not always the most skillful who win. It's the one's who never give up, the one's who try that one last play and the one's that see opportunity when everyone else sees failure.

This is Origin, this is State versus State, this is Mate versus Mate.