State of Origin 2024: NSW Blues have won just ten penalty counts in 60 matches at Suncorp Stadium
We reveal the real reason NSW have always found it hard to win an Origin game at Suncorp Stadium - it has little to do with the crowd and everything to do with the man in the middle.
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NSW coach Michael Maguire is well aware of the numbers.
They are there for all to see – undeniably written into Origin folklore. Even Queensland can’t rewrite this history.
NSW has won the penalty count just 10 times in the 60 State of Origin matches played at Suncorp Stadium (formerly Lang Park) since the interstate concept began in 1980.
That’s a success rate of 16.6 per cent for NSW – one penalty count win every six games.
Over that same 60-game period, Queensland has secured the penalty count in 40 matches.
When told of this anomaly, ‘Madge’ Maguire only said: “The numbers don’t lie.”
During 14 games at Suncorp Stadium between 2007 and 2017, NSW claimed just one penalty count.
That’s right, one in more than a decade.
There is no suggestion that any referee has been biased towards Queensland but the skewed penalty count over 44 years is difficult to explain.
Unconscious bias? NSW ill-discipline? Home ground pressure? Hostile crowd? Poor adjudication? Or is Queensland just better drilled?
No matter which way you want to dissect or debate, the lopsided penalty counts towards Queensland in Brisbane is pronounced.
That’s it. There have been 10 drawn penalty counts.
Since 1980, Queensland has been awarded 102 more penalties than NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
That’s a total of 416-314.
Fact.
Perhaps you could find the same numbers for any home team. How often have we seen it? The crowd roars, the referee reacts. They are human.
And does the penalty count have a major bearing on a result? Some suggest not at all but there’s little doubt it has a significant impact on who wins and who loses.
NSW is only seeking a fair go. The pressure will be excruciating and everyone, match officials included, will feel the heat on tonight at ‘The Cauldron’.
The Blues know they will need to battle Queensland’s best 17 players and 50,000 rabid fans.
Us proud Blues just want referee Ashley Klein to use both arms and control the two sides identically.
That way we just might pinch a penalty count ... not that we’re counting on it.
RYLES’ BLAIZE OF GLORY
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles was scheduled to have held contract extension talks with rising Eels star Blaize Talagi and his manager Isaac Moses last Sunday.
Talagi is hot property and remains unsigned for next season.
Ryles is acutely aware of the necessity to retain Talagi given St George Illawarra, Newcastle and the Dolphins are circling.
This is a monumental moment for Ryles – and he hasn’t even officially started as Eels coach.
He needs an early ‘kill’ in terms of a big-name player.
Watching Talagi walk out so quickly into his tenure would be a bad look.
Talagi has proven difficult to pin down with Parramatta claiming to be close to retaining him several times – but it hasn’t happened.
Although he and his family are entrenched in the Parramatta district, Talagi and Moses have already shown they are prepared to play hard ball.
Ryles needs to show Parramatta fans that he has the power and influence to attract and retain key players.
COLMAN GAVE ME MY BIG BREAK
He was a gifted journalist who gave me my first break in the media.
Former Sunday Telegraph and Courier-Mail sports reporter Mike Colman, who sadly passed away over the weekend, was editor of The North Shore Times newspaper in Sydney when he published a story about a schoolboy rugby union team written by a pesky, freckle-faced Year 11 student.
It was the young bloke’s first byline and, shortly after, Colman offered the delighted kid a three-year cadetship. Who’d have thought that same young coppertop, now with greying temples, would still be punching away in the cutthroat Sydney media 39 years later?
I wouldn’t be here today writing this column if it wasn’t for Colman. I still have the personal reference he wrote for me. Rugby league and News Corp have given me everything in my professional life.
But those worlds wouldn’t have collided without Mike Colman. RIP, mate.
RUDE FAN FIRES UP NRL COACH
Which NRL coach, who just bought two beers when catching-up at a local club with the father of one of his players, was filmed walking from the bar to his seat by a rude and obnoxious fan?
The bloke filming even did his own commentary. The coach fought desperately hard not to tell the bloke where he could jam his phone.
WORD AROUND TOWN
Which big-name athlete from a rival sport is ready to join the coaching staff of an NRL club from next year? Which high-profile NRL player said “no” to guest speaking at a Family of League function?
RHINOS CHASE NRL STARS
Former Parramatta and current Leeds coach Brad Arthur is recommending that the Rhinos chase some big-name players from the NRL.
While the identities of the players remains a mystery, don’t be surprised if Junior Paulo and Marty Taupau are mentioned. Meanwhile, Castleford are ready to sign Eels centre Zac Cini.
BRISSIE BEER WILL SET YOU BACK
NSW fans heading to Brisbane for the Origin decider better grab a few extra bucks. I’m reliably told a schooner of Great Northern beer at the famous Caxton Hotel costs $13.50.
MULITALO GETS HANDS DIRTY
Lorenzo Mulitalo debuted for Parramatta on the wing last week and did a stellar job. Given he’s not in the Eels’ top 30 roster or the club’s development squad, Mulitalo is paid $1200 a week by the Eels.
So to help pay the bills in expensive Sydney, Mulitalo rolls up the old sleeves and works as a scaffolder from Monday to Friday. Respect.
ROCK LEGEND TO CHEER MAROONS
Cold Chisel song writing legend Don Walker is a mad Broncos and Queensland fan.
Walker, who wrote song classics Flame Trees, Saturday Night, Choirgirl, Goodbye, Cheap Wine and Khe Sanh, is currently holidaying in Texas. But the time difference won’t matter. Walker will be at 4.30am ready to cheer on his beloved Maroons.
‘JD’ ON GLITTER STRIP
Former Souths coach Jason Demetriou was spotted escaping the snarls of Sydney by grabbing a quick burger at Coolangatta McDonald’s last week.
Originally published as State of Origin 2024: NSW Blues have won just ten penalty counts in 60 matches at Suncorp Stadium
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