State of Origin 2026

[Oscar Martinez]

I find it interesting with all the comments about last nights game that the NSW forwards where the difference between the teams,
The big boys Haas and Fonua-Blake particularly denting the line,
No criticism from the media about Billy’s decision to use his small forwards as replacements and not put Pat Carrigan on.
Through out the series Laurie has been hammered for his bench rotation.
Funny Billy doesn’t receive the same review.

Coaches are so overrated in Origin. Laurie proved that last night.

If you have that quality of player you just tell them to go out and play, they know what do and can work it out amongst themselves.

I mean Paul Vautin coached an Origin whitewash, does any more need to be said.

Coaches can only stuff the game by picking the wrong players.

 

[batboy]

Lol no all tries are not the same in terms of importance.

Your point is that they were horrible and I don't think they were. There was a try in it other then goal kicking. Qld dominated for a long time until Moses's kick got them out.

NSW simply played to their potential for once.

They weren't horrible.. you wanna keep thinking that then go ahead.

On paper, I got the wingers, the centres, Cleary, Haas, Yeo and the backrowers better than their counterparts. I'm not talking about form now, I'm talking about form before Origin started.

Please - Cobbo was amongst the best players of the whole series…
If not the best!!

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Please - Cobbo was amongst the best players of the whole series…
If not the best!!

Played well he's an odd dude, can really turn it on when he wants to but always looks one hamburger away from being a fat boy.

 

[Telltails]

Played well he's an odd dude, can really turn it on when he wants to but always looks one hamburger away from being a fat boy.

Has a clanger error in him too.

 

[batboy]

Played well he's an odd dude, can really turn it on when he wants to but always looks one hamburger away from being a fat boy.

Just a young bloke that needs connection and direction.
Slater obviously provides both in spades.

Well done to both of them, to be fair - it’s obvious to everyone there’s a player in there… hopefully he’s on the up

 

[innsaneink]

Lol no all tries are not the same in terms of importance.

Your point is that they were horrible and I don't think they were. There was a try in it other then goal kicking. Qld dominated for a long time until Moses's kick got them out.

NSW simply played to their potential for once.

They weren't horrible.. you wanna keep thinking that then go ahead.

On paper, I got the wingers, the centres, Cleary, Haas, Yeo and the backrowers better than their counterparts. I'm not talking about form now, I'm talking about form before Origin started.

Man...we could do this all day, but its pointless
However i dont think i said horrible

Blues.played to their.potential...Qld were well short of theirs

 

[Halbrowne61]

I find it interesting with all the comments about last nights game that the NSW forwards where the difference between the teams,
The big boys Haas and Fonua-Blake particularly denting the line,
No criticism from the media about Billy’s decision to use his small forwards as replacements and not put Pat Carrigan on.
Through out the series Laurie has been hammered for his bench rotation.
Funny Billy doesn’t receive the same review.

Easy to see why May didn’t get a look in, never dents rhe line after skipping. Hope he was watching closely about how to make an impact ! Needs to find some aggression !!!

 

[innsaneink]

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[Halbrowne61]

Coaches are so overrated in Origin. Laurie proved that last night.

If you have that quality of player you just tell them to go out and play, they know what do and can work it out amongst themselves.

I mean Paul Vautin coached an Origin whitewash, does any more need to be said.

Coaches can only stuff the game by picking the wrong players.

I did hear Laurie say in the presser he sets the overall game plan and direction then the assistants make it happen. If not happening he re- directs the assistants !
Maybe that’s where we are falling down, Benji has a direction of “who we are” but that’s obviously not being implemented by our assistants ?

 

[Tom Shines]

Great to have a bit of a respite last night after an ordinary few months of footy 👍

 

[happy_tiger]

How good to see Sterlo’s name come up, He doesn’t get the accolades that he deserves is still my favourite half back, Less games than the other 2 but equal man of match awards.
It’s why I don’t like the term IMMORTAL as I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only one who rates other players in front of some of them.
Don’t get me wrong all the named immortals were great players in their era.

Sterlo was a champion footballer .....would of become an excellent coach

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Sterlo was a champion footballer .....would of become an excellent coach

Smart too, didn't go anywhere near coaching instead settled for media.

 

[happy_tiger]

Smart too, didn't go anywhere near coaching instead settled for media.

On of the best minds in the game

 

[batboy]

Easy to see why May didn’t get a look in, never dents rhe line after skipping. Hope he was watching closely about how to make an impact ! Needs to find some aggression !!!

Others look at the stats and think he should be first picked.
Too pass happy

 

[crazycat]

Moses over Munster?
Robson over Harry?
Tedesco over Ponga?
Doubtful!!

You could also argue Hammer is a better centre…
Cleary and Haas are probably well ahead as their opposites, also Hudson and maybe Martin.
I would argue they had the better Wingers for the whole series
- Mark was lucky last night.

‘Much’ better team on paper,
I think that’s a stretch!

Agreed.

QLD had some advantages, having Reece Walsh on the bench was huge IMHO.

NSW, agreed Cleary and Haas are way ahead of their opposites. Other positions yea NSW had gaps.

I reckon if you replayed that game you could see a 50/50 result or even QLD squeek a win.
It was a very even game and for once that's great to see.

 

[Tucker]

I disagree,
Good players on paper don’t always make good teams. Qld generally pick good origin teams, NSW have long played favourites and pick on highlight reels.
Blokes like Jake Turbo who are barely effective at club level getting first picked.

Your math is correct, NSW did win 4 halves, but weren’t that much better in the second half last night.
Take out the goal kicking and penalty, it was 2 tries a peice and lucky not to be 3-2 your way with old mate being offside by smidgen. Points are points thought - very relieved with the win. NSW played better than they half all series and QLD Played worse - in the end, the Ponga send off in game 1 was the deciding factor, not NSW dominance.
Also don’t agree on being man for man outmatched, 3/4 of the QLD spine are better players most days of the week.

You can disagree if you want, but you are still wrong.
The better side won this series and the amount of sooking from NSW supporters during this series showed most of you don’t have a clue how to win Origin.

 

[Tucker]

I think they thought hey just us to turn up, simple as that.
In their heads - they already won the series because Ponga shouldn’t have been sent (in their heads)
The didn’t fire a shot really…

Did Carrigan get out there, I don’t remember him at all… where as the bloke he replaced is in everything always, maybe that had an effect on them.

Who cares, it’s good to get a (very unexpected) win.

It was only unexpected to those not paying attention.
Quite a few including me called it last night before kickoff.
QLD turned up. They were outplayed by a better roster who were better coached on the night.

 

[Tucker]

Coaches are so overrated in Origin. Laurie proved that last night.

If you have that quality of player you just tell them to go out and play, they know what do and can work it out amongst themselves.

I mean Paul Vautin coached an Origin whitewash, does any more need to be said.

Coaches can only stuff the game by picking the wrong players.

You have clearly never coached anything.
Likely never managed anyone either….

 

[Buttface]

the three best halfbacks i have seen play live

Johns 2001 GF first half performance was epic against Parramatta. Remembering Johns played 9 in a world cup and some SOO's to accommodate Toovey / Kimmorley

I was at that 2001 gf with a parra guy and surrounded by them. One was shedding tears and one went to the pisser at halftime and never came back. Good day with one of my Tiger mates. 😎

 

[Odessa]

the three best halfbacks i have seen play live

Johns 2001 GF first half performance was epic against Parramatta. Remembering Johns played 9 in a world cup and some SOO's to accommodate Toovey / Kimmorley

Maybe the greatest half of football by a 7 in a club game and against a red hotter favourite to win the GF

Newcastle was just making up the numbers in the GF Johns carried that team


And Parramatta what a come back in the second half to almost win it