Maroons’ great Billy Moore called in by Queensland Firebirds to impart some “Queenslander” spirit for ‘State of Origin’ clash

Queensland Firebirds face one of Super Netball’s premiership favourites in the Swifts on Sunday. Coach Bec Bulley felt her squad needed some extra motivation. So, she called on someone who oozed passion when playing for his state against NSW. WATCH VIDEO HERE

Firebirds called in Queensland Origin great Billy Moore this week in an effort to find an extra spark ahead of their clash with the NSW Swifts.

Moore, a talented rugby league player, became part of State of Origin folklore with his now famous “Queenslander” war cry.

He made 17 appearances for Queensland in the State of Origin – and met with the Firebirds to impart some wisdom and motivation ahead of their game with the Swifts.

Moore spoke about what it means to play for Queensland and what it means to be a champion team.

“A champion team will always win over a team of champions,” Moore told the Firebirds during a special lunch held earlier this week.

“Based on this, you have got to have belief. The team of champions relies on champions. But a champion team knows it’s strength … your strength around this table is the person sitting beside you, that is where a champion team will come from.

“It doesn’t matter what’s happened before, or what comes after, it is about the here and now.”

Forgetting the past could be a good move for the Firebirds when it comes to this clash with the Swifts. The two teams have gone head to head 14 times in Super Netball – with Swifts winning nine. Of the past six meetings Firebirds have won just once.

The results aren’t much better in front of Firebirds home crowd at Nissan Arena with Swifts winning four of the six games.

Coach Bec Bulley said she hoped the chat with Moore gave the team a winning edge.

“He spoke about what it means to be a Queenslander and what the Queenslander war cry means and I’m really hoping that will motivate the girls to get out there and have a good crack at the Swifts,” Bulley said.

Bulley is doing her utmost to rally her team to be at their best on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Going into this game both teams are on pretty level footing with each side having a win and a loss against their name.

Bulley knows the Swifts will be hard to beat though.

“The Swifts have been together for a very long time and have great connections,” Bulley said.

“It’s great to see Sam Wallace back on court but I think we will have our work cut out for us shutting down Helen Housby and her super shot.”

Bulley says shutting down Housby will be difficult. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Netball Australia

NSW Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud said the rivalry always made for a hard game.

“Anytime NSW and Queensland go head to head there’s going to be some niggle but also a lot of respect for each other at the end of the game,” Proud said.

“The Firebirds have been pretty impressive this year and could easily be two from two so it’s going to be a hell of a contest.

“We know that they can punish you everywhere in attack, especially with Donnell (Wallam) and Tippah (Dwan) who’ve both given us some schoolings in the past.

“Last weekend they got on top of the Giants in the opening quarter and set themselves up for the game. If they do likewise to us it could be a long day especially with a big crowd behind them.”

Firebirds will host NSW Swifts at Nissan Arena at 2pm on Sunday.

Originally published as Maroons’ great Billy Moore called in by Queensland Firebirds to impart some “Queenslander” spirit for ‘State of Origin’ clash