The controversial, ugly, funny and most memorable moments from covering 100 State of Origin games
Dean Ritchie is raising the bat for his 100th game of State of Origin coverage. In that time he’s witnessed epic games, sad times, icons in their prime and a fair share of shocking moments. He reveals the most memorable.
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One-hundred State of Origin games.
Who would have thought this podgy, freckled-faced kid, who failed his HSC at a Sydney high school, would cover a century of Origin games live.
I’ll be buggered.
My first Origin game was May 9, 1990 at the old Sydney Football Stadium with NSW recording an 8-0 win.
It wasn’t long until I was assigned to cover all three games each series alongside the late, great Peter ‘Chippy’ Frilingos and my old mate, Ray ‘Reg’ Chesterton.
Over the next 36 years, I penned analysis from State of Origin games played at the old Sydney Football Stadium, Accor Stadium, Brisbane’s QEII Stadium, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Lang Park, MCG, Docklands Stadium, Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium in Perth.
My sequence of covering all three games a year was finally broken during Covid in 2021 – I couldn’t get across the border for a match at Gold Coast’s Cbus Stadium – with my tally now sitting on 99 with my century will arrive on Wednesday night.
There have been epic memories, sad times, exhilarating football coupled with the good, bad and ugly.
Classic coach moment (1998): The one-and-only Tommy Raudonikis. He was asked by players whether they should employ a slide defence or an up-and-in defensive technique. After pondering the question, Raudonikis said: “Ummm, slide first, then go up-and-in and then just bash ’em.”
Biggest selection shock (2006): Queensland’s little-known Adam Mogg, whose selection led to a famous Daily Telegraph back page headline which roared: ‘ADAM WHO?’
Stop horsing around moment (1999): NSW forwards Bradley Clyde and Robbie Kearns are thrown from horses during a wholesome bonding session at Megalong Valley and are ruled out of game one. Kearns was knocked out and broke his collarbone while Clyde injured his right shoulder. Nik Kosef is said to have suffered an allergic reaction to a horse. They would have found less trouble on a good old fashioned pub crawl.
Biggest fool (2013): An idiot named Wati Holmwood decided to interrupt a game by streaking. He was later sentenced to three months jail for indecent exposure and breaching good behaviour bonds. He really should have kept his shirt on.
Soap opera moment (2011): Johnathan Thurston returning to the field after full-time in a wheelchair to celebrate with his side after sustaining a knee injury. Cue rolling of the eyes emoji.
Heart-warming moment (1992): Benny Elias’s mum, Barbara jumping the SFS fence to celebrate a NSW win with her son, who was covered in bandages and blood.
Most stupid comment (2020): To the idiot journo who claimed the Maroons were the “worst Queensland side in 40 years.” What a goose!
Worst financial decision (2021): The Queensland Government paying between $6m to $8m to host game one only for NSW to hammer the hapless hosts 50-6.
Most memorable stink (1997): The infamous Cattledog brawl at the SFS. It resulted in poor old Joey Johns being decked by Queensland’s Jamie Goddard.
Most courageous moment (2014): NSW’s Josh Morris lying prone on the sideline with a PCL injury before jumping up and returning to play to tackle Greg Inglis. Morris’ brother, Brett, played on in that same game with a dislocated shoulder.
Most unsavoury moment (2004): Anthony Minichiello and Mark Gasnier being dumped from the Blues squad, and five others fined, after a drinking binge ended with an obscene phone call to a woman.
Flashpoint moment (2000): Bill Harrigan sensationally sending off Gorden Tallis after the Queensland firebrand accuses the referee of being a “cheat”.
Look-away-moment (2003): NSW’s Michael De Vere having a nasty wound above his right eye stapled together through a staple gun, all on live television, by Blues medico John Orchard. A few fans would have lost their dinner that night.
Most intimidating moment: Walking past a thousand drunks on Caxton Street near Lang Park. Half of them are that pissed they wouldn’t even know who was playing.
Greatest player (1989-1999): Laurie Daley. He captained NSW at just 22. I was too young to cover most of Wally Lewis’ Origin career.
Greatest try (1994): Mark Coyne’s iconic try to give Queensland a last-gasp victory. It prompted commentator Ray Warren to famously declare: “That’s not a try, that’s a miracle.”
Greatest leap (2024): Zac Lomax climbing halfway to the moon for a spectacular leaping try at the MCG.
Best sledge I (2015): Johnathan Thurston to Mitchell Pearce: “You should probably get a photo with the Wally Lewis statue because it’s the closest you’ll get to holding the shield.” Cruel stuff.
Best sledge II (2014): Paul Gallen: “Queenslanders have two heads.”
Best sledge III (2012): Ricky Stuart: “Queenslanders only need to see someone eating a banana and they try to claim him.”
Most awkward moment (2003): Sitting sideline as a young assistant, Laurie Daley stood up during play only for head coach Phil Gould to sit in his seat. Too kind to say anything, ‘Lozza’ didn’t know where to sit, and couldn’t ask Gould to move, so he stood crouching and wedged between Gould and head trainer Ron Palmer.
Most salacious moment (won’t reveal date to protect the player): Which player innocently walked into his room only to find a teammate in a compromising position with a woman. Why was the door left ajar?
Best punch (2013): Paul Gallen landing a big right on the chin of Queensland’s Nate Myles.
Greatest coach (2006-2015): Mal Meninga won nine series as Maroons coach which included eight straight. No debate needed.
Most emotional moment (2014): NSW’s miracle to finally snap Queensland’s dominance.
Greatest comeback (2001): Alfie Langer snuck back from Warrington to play in a decider having previously retired from rep football. He inspired Queensland to a 40-14 win, prompting The Daily Telegraph to run a giant front page headline which read: BLOODY ALF.
Saddest moment (2013): The death of former NSW coach and great mate Graham Murray aged just 58.
Funniest front page (2017): The Daily Telegraph’s page one story about Blues skipper Boyd Cordner using an energy healer who specialises in ancient Chinese, Judaic and Indian healing to overcome a calf injury.
Biggest upset (1995): Fatty Vautin’s unheralded underdogs – tagged Neville Nobodies – somehow rolling NSW. It was the first series where we heard NSW-born Billy Moore yelling “Queenslander” as he walked down the SFS players’ tunnel.
Fiercest moment (2002): Gorden Tallis ragdolling NSW’s Brett Hodgson 15 metres before dumping him over the sideline. “It’s like a hogtie at the rodeo,” Paul Vautin said in commentary.
Horror moment (2006): Brett Hodgson throwing a wild pass from dummy half which was seized on by Darren Lockyer, who scores to win the game and trigger the first of Queensland’s eight straight series wins.
Best subtle sledge (2024): Michael Maguire’s “glass houses” comment which crept under-the-skin of Billy Slater.
Gigantic moment (2015): A record crowd of 91,513 cramming into the MCG.
Most provocative moment (2000): During a try celebration, NSW’s Bryan Fletcher pretended to throw a hand grenade, an act which still angers sensitive Queensland.
Most controversial moment (2010): Timana Tahu angrily walks out of NSW camp after an alleged racial slur from NSW assistant coach Andrew Johns.
Greatest conversion: Michael ‘Snoz’ O’Connor landing a sideline goal in the wet to beat Queensland in the SFS rain.
Best camps: The lovely Mantra on Salt in Kingscliff, Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour and the delightful Fairmont Resort in Leura.
What better way to celebrate a century than with a NSW series win.
What a ride it’s been. State of Origin, thanks for the journey.
Go the Blues.
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