CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
Queensland have lost a State of Origin series decider in Brisbane for just the third time in history, after 65 minutes of impenetrable defence from both sides.
While the Queenslanders were heroic against a relentless Blues outfit, the Maroon wall was eventually breached by the antagonistic Blues Number 6, Jarome Luai, who sent a hulking Bradman Best over the tryline with 15 minutes to go. Three minutes later and Mitchell Moses went over again to cement the eventual 14-4 loss.
The state of Queensland has today been overcome by an unfamiliar fog of melancholy, after New South Wales proved themselves more than capable of flipping the script.
Last night’s match was the first time since 1984 that fans were treated to a try-less full half of Origin football. It was also the first time since the Joey Johns era that NSW were able to win a decider in the Cauldron.
Queensland fans are unacquainted with this strange feeling of loss. The uncomfortable malaise that sits in their chests after watching images of cheering Blues players raising a shield, as the pyrotechnics hides the empty Suncorp stadium behind them.
It’s this uneasiness that has forced local Queensland man, Lang Sherrif (62), to take a moment of quiet self-reflection this morning.
It’s not exactly an existential crisis, but Lang is questioning everything he’s ever known about rugby league football.
The Queensland spirit. What is it? Is it fight for 65 valiant minutes and falling short? Is sticking up for your mates in a onfield melee and being sent to the bin for ten, right when the momentum is starting to shift?
Is it leaving the fanfare early and going back to your budget motel room to lick your wounds? Is it walking past a drunken Willie Mason on Caxton street and not saying shit?
Lang finds himself in a parallel universe. A world where Queensland are now the losers, despite how hard they fought.
However, this lapse in morale does not last long.
“I hope they enjoy this win” says Lang, as his chest slowly puffs up.
“Because we’ve got them right where we want them in 2025”
“And big heads can be top heavy. Especially when you’ve got Tino Fa’asuamaleaui coming at your ribs like a 12 gauge. This will all come unstuck in game 1 next year. Mark my words”
“Billy knows what he’s doing.”
