State of Origin 2024: Why Queensland Maroons cannot afford to lose their “happy place’’
Origin I will likely be a battle of the minds, as NSW hijack Queensland’s traditional headspace. But no matter what the Blues say the Maroons can still be underdogs where it matters most, writes ROBERT “CRASH” CRADDOCK.
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Something strange has happened in the turbulent countdown to Wednesday’s State of Origin match.
There’s been four jolting words regularly appearing in the same sentence – “New South Wales’’ and “underdogs.’’
For a game in Sydney. Really? Says who?
This build-up has been a race to claim the low ground which has been Queensland’s unofficial base camp for 44 years. The Blues are trying to hijack Queensland’s Happy Place.
Bookmakers may have Queensland slight favourites but it’s time for the bookies to put down their racing guides, grab a history book and drill down on the recent numbers which spell out the true challenge Queensland faces in a game where they will need every bit of twitching maroon fibre to win.
Someone forget to tell the bookies that Queensland have lost four of the past five Origins in Sydney and nine of the last 14 dating back to 2011?
Even when Queensland had their greatest Origin teams in the Mal Meninga-coached era, winning is Sydney was like climbing Mt Everest after a snowstorm with slaps on.
People have been talking about this NSW side as if they are the Bare Bones Blues but let’s not tumble in to that one.
The Blues have so much depth they could afford to omit the current Test captain James Tedesco (until they called him in late) and will feature a centre, Joseph Sua’ali’i, who will be paid more than any rugby league player in history next year (even though he’ll be playing rugby union).
They are so well stocked their third choice halfback Nicho Hynes won the Dally M two winters ago and have I mentioned they have the world’s best prop (Payne Haas)? The list goes on.
The desire of both teams to claim the underdog tag is natural because sheer, undiluted, rampaging underdog desperation is what wins Origin games.
This precious siege mentality has been Queensland’s driving engine through epic wins in Sydney like their 1994 triumph featuring Mark Coyne’s late “miracle’’ try.
They cannot let NSW claim this headspace.
State of Origin great Chris Close says no matter what the bookmakers say the Maroons mantra will be set in stone.
“It is not manufactured – it’s reality,’’ Close said. “It will be Queensland forever. It is where we sit. The important thing is that’s how it is. It grew out of circumstance when Queensland had 25% of the player pool to choose from back in 1980 when it started. No-one said “let’s have this mindset.
“The reason it has been maintained is that they (NSW) have been arrogant enough to think they are a better place. Even the build-up to the teams being announced it was all about who would play for NSW, whether Nicho Hynes would get a start.
“Right from 1980 we had to make every selection count. Billy Slater really gets the Queensland mentality and I think Harry Grant will carry it on as well.’’
No matter what the bookies say Queensland can still be underdogs where it matters most – in the minds.
Perhaps the trick for the players is drifting back in time, not to recent form but to the potholed paths many of them have had to reach the big time.
We are talking aches, pains, rejection by clubs and even fans …
It’s stories like …
Reuben Cotter: Remarkable story. Basically had three knee constructions and only the fact that he was so determined, turning up for every physio sessions, won him continued contracts with the Cowboys. Now he’s a star but faces a fresh challenge as he gives away 23 kilograms to his front-row rival Haas.
Jaydn Su’A: Be honest. Did you ever expect to see him again after he was dropped after Queensland’s 50-6 loss in Game I in 2021? And then he got injured. For a while Su’A was eyeball deep in the well of despair. This is some comeback.
Tom Dearden: When he arrived at the Cowboys after a sorrowful career at the Broncos his fingernails were chewed down and his self-esteem was at bootlace level. Piece by piece they put him back together. He needs to believe that he is still clawing his way up the mountain, rather than reached the summit.
Ben Hunt: Everywhere he turns in his rugby league there’s pressure. But he Just. Keeps. Going. It’s a decade next year since he made a crucial blue in the Broncos grand final loss to the Cowboys and since then he’s copped the blow torch that comes with being a million dollar player.
These are hard-baked characters ready to do their best.
Close, the former long-time manager, will watch the match at home in Hervey Bay, deliberately by himself.
“I just like watching it without any distractions – it is far too important for that,’’ he said.
The spirit lives on.
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Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Why Queensland Maroons cannot afford to lose their “happy place’’
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