Maroons families blow-up over petty Blues move in Origin three

Queensland is reportedly “seriously unhappy” about a behind the scenes move during their Game 3 defeat in Sydney.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons and teammates celebrate with the State of Origin Shield after game three of the State of Origin series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on July 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

While NSW were busy rescuing some pride on-field in Origin III, a dispute was going on off it.

Blues officials have been accused of “pettiness” over an issue with ticket reservations for families of the Maroons players and coaches, according to Triple M in Sydney.

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Typically, families of Origin players and coaches are placed behind the bench of their respective teams.

But that was reportedly not the case at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night as NSW secured a 24-10 victory that saved some blushes in a 2-1 series defeat.

“Shenanigans have taken place between the two camps,” Dan Ginnane said before throwing to journalist Ben Dobbin.

Dobbin then reported on where the Maroons families were situated during the game and some of their reactions.

AJ Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika of the Maroons pose with the State of Origin Shield as Queensland had the last laugh in the series. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“Queensland team’s (families) are all in behind the New South Wales bang smack in the middle of all the New South Wales families,” Dobbin told Triple M.

“And Cam Munster’s family, I don’t know what this is about, they’ve been put over the other side with a couple of others, so they aren’t even all together which has never been the case.

“I know it’s petty but they are all so upset because Queensland has always done their captain’s run at 4pm and they got bumped yesterday, they got an email (from NSW) saying no, no, no, we’re going at 4pm and you have to go at 1pm.

“They are not happy. They seriously are not happy.

NSW fans dominated the crowd numbers in State of Origin game 3 at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I’m looking at Nicole Slater (wife of Maroons coach Billy Slater) at the moment and she’s deadset sitting right behind the New South Wales bench all surrounded by New South Wales fans and obviously family members.

“I might try and see how upset she is about it. Queensland is clearly upset about it.”

Further details or updates from the family members were not forthcoming.

Ginnane, however, had his theory that it was a return of serve after stating some Blues’ board members had been put in a box closer to the try line instead of the halfway line in Game 2 in Brisbane.

A sea of Blue 💙

Thank you to the 75,342 fans who turned out in waves to support YOUR @NSWBlues in the finale of the 2023 State of Origin series at Accor Stadium!#ForeverBlue#AccorStadium#AccorLiveLimitless#FeelNewSydneypic.twitter.com/DpSjR9SI9l

— Accor Stadium (@AccorStadium) July 12, 2023

“This really is pettiness personified. Aren’t the Blues pissed off because they were put in a box at the 10-metre line at Suncorp (for game two)?” Ginnane asked.

“Some of the board members were shunted because they couldn’t watch the game from the halfway line in their blazers, so they were peeved off.

“Dobbo, this is clearly a returning of serve.”

Dobbin responded with his view that “Queensland were involved in that with New South Wales as well. I think both Queensland and New South Wales were shunted together in that case.”

It remains to be seen whether the off-field pettiness will carry over into next year’s series, when one game apiece will again be played in Sydney and Brisbane, with a third game at an unnamed neutral venue.