50 greatest NSW Blues State of Origin players ranked

A surprising number of current NSW stars have made DEAN RITCHIE’s 50 greatest Blues list. See which players lining up in Game II made the top 50 and have your say in our interactive.

Who is the Blues’ greatest servant?

It sounded fun but became a torturous nightmare.

Being asked to cull NSW’s long and proud list of State of Origin players - spanning 43 years - from 306 back to a top 50.

And in numerical order.

Who should be number one? Who needs to be inside the top 10? And who misses out?

I have covered around 90 State of Origin games for News Corp and watched every match since that famous opening game back in 1980.

Some will argue a certain player should be ranked higher, lower, or even question their inclusion. There will be critics.

They are all ranked purely on their Origin performances and influence – not club or international footy.

It is based on my opinion. Here you go…

Originally published as 50 greatest NSW Blues State of Origin players ranked