14 reasons Queensland Maroons can never claim State of Origin’s moral high ground
Queensland have become adept at playing the victim card when they’re under pressure in the Origin arena. But that opens them up to hypocrisy, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
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Geez, I hate Sydney’s winter chill.
Paying taxes also gives me the sh.ts and I’m not too fond of PC either.
But, do you know what I really loathe?
Queensland.
This holier-than-thou redneck state which erroneously attempts to claim the moral high ground around State of Origin time each year.
A cumbersome chunk of essentially barren land occupied by people who honestly — yet mistakenly — believe they are ethically superior to NSW.
Those sanctimonious dropkicks.
Billy Slater went after Aaron Woods on Tuesday after the former NSW prop called the Queensland coach a “grub.”
Boohoo, Billy.
NSW aren’t perfect, but we’ve never claimed to be.
Want solid proof that Queensland is morally bankrupt?
Well, here you go.
SLY BACKHANDER
1981, game one
Chris ‘Choppy’ Close pulls Eric Grothe’s hair and then gives him a nasty backhander because the NSW winger simply made a try saving tackle.
DISSENT INTO MADNESS
2000, game one
Queensland firebrand Gorden Tallis is sent off for calling referee Bill Harrigan a “f...ing cheat.” What happened to accepting the referee’s decision?
RATS AND FILTH
July 10, 2011
The most controversial column in State of Origin history – Mal Meninga’s infamous ‘Rats and Filth’ opinion piece in Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper. After winning a six consecutive series, there were accusations of a smear campaign which resulted in legal threats.
THE NIGHT IT RAINED CANS
1988, game two
Feral Queensland fans launch cans of beer – some dangerously full – in the direction of Blues players and match officials at Lang Park after referee Mick Stone had the temerity to sin bin the untouchable Wally Lewis, forcing the game to be temporarily halted for safety reasons.
SUCH A WALLY
1991, game two
Wally Lewis sooks and wants to fight Mark Geyer because the Blues enforcer had the audacity to play tough and not take a backward step.
THAT’S NOT ORIGIN
1987, game four
Queensland’s point-blank refusal to accept the LA Origin as a legitimate game after the Blues prevailed 18-10. That would have changed had Queensland won.
UNFRIENDLY FIRE
1980, game one
Queensland’s godfather Arthur Beetson shocks meek-and-mild Mick Cronin by landing a swinging arm on his Eels teammate’s chin during the very first Origin game. As the old saying goes, they started it.
CHICKEN WINGS
Any year between 2003 and 2017
Queensland captain Cameron Smith will go down as an Origin legend, but his use of chicken wing tackles on NSW players won’t be forgotten, either.
GANG BASHED
2022, game three
NSW’s Matt Burton gets into a fight in back play with Maroons centre Dane Gagai. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui joins the fray and Burton’s arms are held down as he’s hit repeatedly in a two-on-one ambush.
FLOORING AN IMMORTAL
1997, game three
Queensland hooker Jamie Goddard decks NSW star and future Immortal, Andrew Johns, twice!
KICK ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE DOWN
2021, game one
Cameron Munster kicks Liam Martin in the ribs while the NSW forward was on the ground in Townsville, and then had the audacity to label Martin a grub a couple of years later.
PETTY PAYBACK
2009, game three
Queensland launch a towering kick and gang tackle NSW captain and fullback Kurt Gidley as payback for Brett White knocking out Steve Price. The Maroons may have been rightly incensed by the White-Price stoush, but it had nothing to do with Gidley and highlighted their skewed sense of morality.
HEADED FOR TROUBLE
2012, game three
Nate Myles leads with his head in a tackle that concusses NSW hooker Robbie Farah. The Blues are incensed, believing it’s the latest in a pattern of behaviour from the Maroons back-rower, who was known for the occasional swinging arm or dropping knees into a tackle. It’s believed these incidents prompted Paul Gallen to punch Myles in the head the following year, leading to the punch being permanently banned from rugby league.
HEADBUTT FARCE
1995, game three
Back in the 90s, standing face-to-face with an opponent and trading blows was deemed acceptable, but launching a headbutt after an innocuous tackle? Tony Hearn headbutts NSW enforcer Mark Carroll, sparking a vicious fight that resulted in the Maroons prop coming off second best.
Yep, the true actions of a virtuous and upstanding state.
Cue rolling of the eyes emoji.
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Originally published as 14 reasons Queensland Maroons can never claim State of Origin’s moral high ground
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