Instagram stars of the 2024 State of Origin and who comes out on top

While the Blues and Maroons prepare for State of Origin, there’s another battle looming. Take a look at which team is the most ‘Insta-famous’ and the men and women players with the largest social media fanbase.

The State of Origin has arrived for 2024 and fans have begun donning their blue and maroon jerseys in support of their state.

But that’s not the only way fans are showing their support for their favourite teams and players this year.

Instagram has increasingly become the new hub to get all the latest information about your favourite sports stars, with NRL players choosing to post about their games, training and personal lives on the social media platform.

And of the two teams*, Queensland is the most ‘Insta-famous’.

Queensland came out on top in terms of follower count with an accumulative 1,654,645 followers across all their players’ profiles, compared to NSW’s close 1,615,029 followers.

Of all the players across Queensland and NSW, Brisbane Broncos was the club which represented the most followed NRL team with a total of six players totalling 906,400 followers including fan favourites Reece Walsh, Patrick ‘Patty Carrigan’, Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo and more.

While Queensland was the most followed team in the State of Origin, NSW dominated the Women’s State of Origin in terms of social media fame, with the NSW Sky Blues claiming an accumulative 678,328 followers compared to only 218,801 for the Queensland Women’s Maroons.

Sydney Roosters claimed the most followed NRL team for the women, with Roosters centres Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis representing the only NRLW players with more than 100,000 followers.

With Instagram providing additional brand sponsorships and attention for each player, which NRL star takes the most Insta-famous of the 2024 State of Origin?

Take a look at the social media rankings of each team below, and the top five players from each side, ranked by follower count**

*Numbers are taken from prior to the inclusion of James Tedesco in the NSW side

**Follower counts are subject to change and are accurate at time of publication

NSW’S TOP FIVE STATE OF ORIGIN INSTA STARS

5. Matt Burton – 94.1k followers

Born and bred in Dubbo, Matt Burton is a halfback for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the 18th man for the NSW Blues and an Insta-star with more than 94,000 Instagram followers.

Moving to the Bulldogs in 2022 after playing with the Penrith Panthers since 2019, the 24-year-old shares pictures with his partner Zoe, as well as posts promoting various brands he’s an ambassador for, including Asics and Dubbo Automotive.

Outside of the league, Burton spends time with his family, welcoming his first child Noa in August, 2023, sharing the news on his Instagram page.

4. Nicholas Hynes – 149k followers

Raised in The Central Coast, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has nearly 150,000 Instagram followers and regularly posts about his Indigenous-Australian cultural background, family and mental health.

Hynes is also the co-host of the ‘When We Grow Up’ podcast with Marlee Silva where the two discuss life, share stories and interview fellow NRL players.

3. Stephen Crichton – 200k followers

Born in Samoa and raised in both New Zealand and Australia, Bulldogs Captain Stephen Crichton has 200,000 Instagram followers, sharing pictures of his time on the field and spending time with his fiance, Leone.

A self-described ‘Christian Athlete’, Crichton regularly posts photos about his faith and Christianity.

2. Jarome Luai – 240k followers

Nicknamed the ‘Chief Energy Officer’ of the Penrith Panthers, five-eighth Jarome Luai has more than 240,000 Instagram followers and posts photos of his family as well as recent promotional material for his and Brian To’o’s new fashion label ‘Universe 7’.

The 27-year-old was engaged in December to Bailey Toleafoa, the mother of their three children.

1. Brian To’o – 313k followers

A Mt Druitt boy turned three-time NRL Grand Final winner, Brian To’o, is one of the most followed league players on Instagram with more than 300k fans.

Recently welcoming a baby boy, Atreus, with his wife Sala in October, 2023, the 25-year-old mainly shares photos celebrating his family and his close friendship with teammate Jarome Luai.

QLD’S TOP FIVE STATE OF ORIGIN INSTA STARS

5. Harry Grant – 104k followers

A born and bred Yeppoon local, Harry Grant has gained more than 100,000 Instagram followers since his NRL debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2018.

The Melbourne Storm captain and hooker mainly posts photos of his team training sessions, surfing during his time off, spending time with friends and family and pictures of his car as a brand ambassador for Patterson Cheney Isuzu Ute.

In 2020, Grant played a season for the Wests Tigers on loan with Paul Momirovski in the first arrangement of its kind in NRL history.

4. Patrick ‘Patty’ Carrigan – 122k followers

Since making his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019, Patrick ‘Patty’ Carrigan has garnered more than 122,000 Instagram followers and is about to make his third appearance in the State of Origin in 2024.

A true blue Queenslander born who graduated from Brisbane’s St Joseph’s College as School Captain in 2015, Carrigan uses his Instagram to share pictures of his time playing in the league and spending time out and about with his teammates.

3. Daly Cherry-Evans – 126k followers

Skipper and captain for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Daly Cherry-Evans is one of the most followed players in the league with more than 125,000 Instagram followers.

The Queensland Maroons captain regularly shares photos with his family and uses his platform to occasionally endorse brands, including Door Dash, PlayStation, Arnotts Shapes and P & O Cruises.

Cherry-Evans is also among the top 10 highest paid players in the league, after signing a decade-long contract with the Sea Eagles at $1.2 million a year.

2. Valentine Holmes – 199k followers

A Townsville local, North Queensland Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes is the second most followed Queensland State of Origin player of 2024, with nearly 200,000 Instagram followers.

Outside of the league, the 28-year-old shares photos of himself playing golf with mates and spending time with his wife Natalia and their young son, Billy.

1. Reece Walsh – 470k followers

It’s no surprise that Brisbane Broncos’ fullback Reece Walsh came out on top for both NSW and QLD sides, taking out the top spot with more than 400,000 Instagram followers, making him the most followed player in the NRL.

The 21-year-old Gold Coast local is a fan favourite player who shares photos of his time on the field, or spending time with his daughter, Leila.

Walsh was also recently recognised as one of the Origin’s most eligible bachelors.

NSW’S TOP FIVE WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN INSTA STARS

5. Taliah Fuimaono – 49.3k followers

Making her NRL debut with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2021, Taliah Fuimaono is a five-eighth with nearly 50,000 Instagram followers.

The 25-year-old shares photos of her time on the field, spending time with friends, representing Australia in the Jillaroos and hanging out with her boyfriend, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles winger Jaxson Paulo.

4. Tiana Penitani – 60.8k followers

Captain of the Cronulla Sharks NRLW team, Tiana Penitani is among the most followed women in the league since she began her career in 2014 at 17-years-old, becoming the youngest player to represent Australia in a Sevens World Cup before making her NRLW debut in 2019.

Formerly playing for St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels, Penitani currently plays as a winger and shares photos from games and spending time with her friends and family on her Instagram.

Penitani also speaks out openly about her heritage as a proud Tongan Australian on her Instagram, as well as sharing stories and pictures of her and her husband, former NRL player Aaron Gray.

3. Millie Elliott – 79k followers

With nearly 80,000 Instagram followers, Millie Elliott (nee Boyle) is a Sydney Roosters prop who wears many hats off the field, working both as a professional rugby league player and a commentator for Nine Sport.

Elliott is a co-host of the Upfront Podcast, talking all things women’s rugby league with co-host Keeley Davis, as well as a co-founder of not-for-profit disability service The Trainer Group Foundation, sharing pictures from both to her Instagram page.

The 26-year-old also recently married Newcastle Knights player Adam Elliott in October, 2023, with the two recently purchasing a home together in Newcastle.

2. Jessica Sergis – 102k followers

Sydney Roosters centre Jessica Sergis, 26, has built a following of more than 100,000 followers, sharing pictures of her time playing for NSW Sky Blues, Roosters and the Jillaroos.

One of the many athletes behind sports drink brand Super Boost, Sergis was the Dally M Player of the Year in 2019 and shares images of her life on and off the field, including travelling in Europe and the occasional brand partnership post with companies such as Rebel Sports.

Sergis is also rumoured to be dating Manly Warringah Sea Eagles player Tommy Talau, with the two sharing pictures together at each others games.

1. Isabelle Kelly – 111k followers

Outside of captaining the Sydney Roosters and co-captaining the NSW Sky Blues with Kezie Apps, Isabelle Kelly, 27, is the most followed female player in the State of Origin, as well as the NRLW.

With more than 110,000 followers, Kelly frequently posts on her social media, sharing videos of herself at the gym, hanging out with friends or spending her downtime soaking up some sun at the beach.

Recently signing a contract to stay with the Roosters until 2026, Kelly was the first winner of the Women’s Golden Boot Award back in 2018.

QLD’S TOP FIVE WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN INSTA STARS

5. Shenae Ciesiolka – 16.1k followers

Toowoomba born and bred, Shenae Ciesiolka boasts more than 16,000 Instagram followers, posting a range of photos, including recent promotional materials as one of the faces of XXXX’s Queensland Pride campaign for the 2024 State of Origin.

The 26-year-old has played for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Maroons, Jillaroos and Western Clydesdales and posts images at the beach, holidaying in Bali, catching up with friends and celebrating great games with Queensland Maroons teammates.

4. Tarryn Aiken – 16.2k followers

Raised on the Gold Coast, Tarryn Aiken made her NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019 before moving to the Sydney Roosters in 2023.

The 24-year-old five-eighth has more than 16,000 Instagram followers and regularly posts photos spending time soaking up sun at the beach, chilling with her mates and regularly paying tribute to her late father and brother.

3. Tamika Upton – 20.6k followers

Born in Rockhampton, Tamika Upton debuted with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019 before moving to the Newcastle Knights as a fullback in 2022.

The four-time NRLW premiership winner is a Nike athlete and regularly shares posts in collaboration with the sports brand when she’s not sharing photos from her games on the field.

Signed with the Knights until the end of the 2027 season, the 27-year-old won the Dally M Award for Fullback of the Year in 2023.

2. Ali Brigginshaw – 28.9k followers

Captain of the Women’s Queensland Maroons and the longest serving Jillaroo, Ipswich-born Ali Brigginshaw is among the most followed women in the league with nearly 30,000 followers.

Captaining the Maroons for three back-to-back premiership wins, Brigginshaw married her partner Kate in 2020 and posts photos of time spent with her and Kate’s two children Alfie and Addison.

READ MORE: ALI BRIGGINSHAW ON THE BARRIERS WOMEN FACE IN SPORT

1. Julia Robinson – 41.5k followers

Born in Ipswich and a graduate of Ferny Grove State High School, Julia Robinson is the most followed Queensland Maroons player in the NRLW for 2024.

The 26-year-old who lives in Brisbane regularly shares photos, acting as a brand ambassador for Before You Speak Coffee and Aspley Mazda, as well as sharing photos at the beach, at the gym and with her teammates.

The Brisbane Broncos winger also recently announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Steve Close in January, 2024, sharing the news to her more than 40,000 followers on Instagram.

Originally published as Instagram stars of the 2024 State of Origin and who comes out on top