Queenslanders to sport their home postcodes on the sleeve of their Maroons’ jerseys

Central Queensland’s Maroons’ stars will be wearing their hearts on their sleeves, quite literally, in the last two games of the 2022 State of Origin series.

Central Queensland’s Maroons’ stars will be wearing their hearts on their sleeves, quite literally, in the last two games of the 2022 State of Origin series.

Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt and Harry Grant will be sporting the postcodes of their hometowns on their prized Queensland jerseys in game two to be played in Perth on Sunday night.

XXXX, the QRL’s longest-running partner and one of Queensland’s most iconic brands, is giving its prominent branding on the sleeve of the Maroons jersey to regional Queensland communities.

The brand will be swapping out its iconic XXXX logo with individual Queensland postcodes so every time the Maroons run out, players will be proudly representing not just their state but their own communities.

Munster, who produced a Man of the Match performance in the series opener, will wear 4701 for Rockhampton, Hunt 4702 for the town of Dingo and Grant 4703 for Yeppoon.

The aim of the swap is designed to celebrate a sense of Queensland pride, a love of footy and mateship – all attributes of a true Queenslander.

Chris Allan, brand birector of XXXX, said XXXX had been a proud Queenslander for 144 years, and one of the things that made it great was its communities.

“The Maroons are running out on the pitch representing all of the regions and we wanted to bring some recognition of this to the Origin arena,” he said.

Rockhampton’s Cameron Munster was Man of the Match in Game 1 of the 2022 State of Origin series. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“However you celebrate Origin this year, whether it be with mates at home or at the pub with a XXXX in hand, cheer on the Maroons and all the towns right across the state that fill us with that Queensland pride.

“Maybe a postcode important to you will be on the jersey.”

Hunt, who has been in career-best form this year and will again start at hooker for the Maroons, said the opportunity to wear the postcode on his jersey was something incredibly special.

He said it was a great initiative from XXXX and it was fantastic to have Queensland’s rugby league heartland represented.

“It’s extremely important,” he said.

“There’s some hard-working towns out there that have been through a lot of hard times over the last few years and I think it’s pretty special that XXXX are giving that up to represent them and pay respects to them and what they’ve done over the last few years.

“It’s been tough and I guess it’s what the Aussie spirit is about and XXXX are recognising that.”

Hunt had incredibly fond memories of his time growing up in the Central Queensland town of Dingo where he started his footy career in the junior ranks of the Blackwater Crushers.

“It was a great little place to grow up, it was a great childhood,” he said.

Ben Hunt could not be prouder to carry the postcode of his hometown of Dingo on his Maroons jersey in Game 2 of the Origin series on Sunday.

“Obviously, it’s a very small town so it was pretty laid back.

“It’s a great environment out there to grow up in. I know there’s been some tough times but there’s going to be some good things around the corner so keep working at it.

“It’s an absolutely special place to grow up in the bush.

“Be grateful for what you’ve got out there. It’s a really enjoyable, fun, easy lifestyle. You’ve got good friends, stick close with them and enjoy life.”

XXXX has also created a three-part docuseries focusing on three communities – Bundaberg, Barcaldine, and Charleville.

The full-length content pieces will premiere to coincide with the game days and will be available online at xxxx.com.au/QRL