Queensland take clean sweep at Professional Bull Riding State of Origin

Queensland have cemented themselves as the supreme bull riding state after taking out the State of Origin in a clean sweep.

Bullrider Braydon Wellby hangs on to Wicked Addiction to an 8 second qualifying ride in the PBR Origin III Professional Bull Riders tour, held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland have cemented themselves as the supreme bull riding state after taking out the State of Origin in a clean sweep.

In round three held at Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night, in front of more than 3500 screaming fans, team Queensland took out the victory 679.50 to NSW 496.25.

North Queensland bull rider Braydon Wellby claimed rider of the night, taking home the highest score of the night with three qualified rides, finishing with 254.25 points.

Wellby’s best ride came in round III when he rode 86.5 on Ambush.

The 27-year-old he was glad his high scores of the night helped contribute to Queensland’s clean sweep.

Bullrider Macaulie Leather bails off Dunno Yet in the PBR Origin III Professional Bull Riders tour, held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Oh it is definitely good to be able to contribute, the last few shows, I haven’t done so well.” Wellby said.

“I am definitely glad I made up for it and got a few covered.

“It definitely made me feel a lot better anyway.”

Ranked number four in PBR Australia, Wellby is originally from Townsville and was excited to be back in North Queensland.

“It’s definitely good to be able to be in North Queensland,” Wellby said

“I normally rodeo here and I go to a lot of the shows up here and it was good to see a lot of people I knew in the crowd and everyone backing and supporting me.”

“It’s good to see points ticking over and keep coming one bull at a time and hopefully I can keep it going.”

Wellby started the night off strongly with an 86 point ride on Wicked Addiction in Round I before putting together an 81.75 ride on Handsome Jack in Round II.

Queensland captain Macaulie Leather said he couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the series.

“I know what the boys are capable of and they know what they’re capable of and they went off and proved it,” Leather said.

“They always ride unreal, they’re all exceptional athletes individually and to do it as a team is even better.”

PBR Australia general manager Glen Young said the Cairns crowd came to get involved and the electric atmosphere made for a great event.

“As the final night of the series, the boys were all hyped and cheering their teams on, which, as an individual sport, they don’t get to do as much,” said Mr Young.

“There was a lot of bull power on Saturday night, resulting in a number of buck offs, which always makes for an interesting night, and the crowd loved it.

“It was neck and neck at the end of round I, however it was ultimately Team Queensland who surged in the final round to secure three wins across the 2024 Origin Series.”

With one event left until the final showdown, riders will now be looking to gain crucial points ahead of the Grand Finals in Townsville on November 1 and 2, which is the richest bull riding event in the southern hemisphere, where $30,000 of prize money is up for grabs.

Originally published as Queensland take clean sweep at Professional Bull Riding State of Origin