State of Origin 2024: The image that will fire up Queensland fans for Suncorp decider

Already a reviled figure in Queensland, the Blues’ chief attack dog has guaranteed himself public enemy No.1 status when the State of Origin series goes on the line at Suncorp Stadium. WATCH

Liam Martin and Pat Carrigan were sin-binned. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

These are the images that guarantee Liam Martin will be public enemy No.1 when the State of Origin series goes on the line at Suncorp Stadium in three weeks time.

The Penrith and NSW back rower was already a reviled figure in Queensland, labelled a grub two years ago by the Maroons media after they highlighted a series of unsavoury incidents involving the Blues back rower.

They won’t need to work too hard to fire the Queensland fans up for Origin III after Martin ripped into Queensland on Wednesday night, spending 10 minutes in the sin bin and finishing on report for a pair of incidents that are likely to be at the forefront of Maroons minds heading to the series decider.

Liam Martin went to the bin for pushing the head of Jaydn Su'A. Picture: Channel Nine

Martin was at his spiky best as he tormented the Maroons with and without the ball. He ran roughshod over Queensland back rower Jaydn Su’A, beating him as he opened the scoring in the 11th minute and then rubbing his nose in it when the Maroons forward lost the ball midway through the second half.

Martin gave Su’A a gobful and then shoved him in the head as he sat on the ground, having spilt the pill. Players rushed in from all corners before Martin was sent from the field for a 10 minute spell.

When he returned, he wasted no time getting back in the action as he put a shot on Daly Cherry-Evans after the Queensland captain had kicked the ball.

Martin was placed on report for the second time in the game – he had earlier been placed on report for a lifting tackle on Reuben Cotter.

The Maroons won’t forget. Nor will the Queenslanders who pack Suncorp Stadium, a venue where the Blues have enjoyed precious little success in recent years and will anticipate a hot reception from the locals.

Try as they might, Queensland couldn’t match the intensity or aggression of Martin and his blue partners in crime. Martin only finished with 67 metres and he gave away four penalties, but you can’t understate the impact of his performance as he was at his intimidating best.

His second row teammate Angus Crichton was just as damaging, running for 158 metres as he continued the resurgent form that forced the Sydney Roosters to rethink their plans for his future, offering him a deal when he looked lost to French rugby union.

He put the exclamation point on his night with a bellringer on Val Holmes in the second half, ironing out the Queensland centre with a textbook shot to the ribs.

The resulting melee. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Between them, Crichton and Martin were too much for Queensland to handle. Suncorp Stadium now awaits the Blues and they face some mental hurdles if they are to win the series – Queensland have won six of the past seven games at The Cauldron.

Martin was part of the Blues side that was hammered at the ground last season when they were beaten 32-6 on foreign soil. He looks intent on atoning for the past. Wednesday night was a good start.

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: The image that will fire up Queensland fans for Suncorp decider