ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
The NRL scriptwriters have been nominated for a Logie Award for their work on the State of Origin miniseries. The nomination comes after the thrilling spectacle of State of Origin II, which left fans wondering if they were watching a sports match or an intricately choreographed drama.
With only minutes remaining in the first half, NSW led 22-0, transforming into an unstoppable force. It was almost as if someone had written it that way. And someone had.
The highlight came in the 32nd minute when coach Michael Maguire unleashed Vegas Round antagonist Spencer Leniu, who bulldozed through three Queensland defenders on his first touch. Angus Crichton’s subsequent flick pass to Dylan Edwards, sending Latrell Mitchell over for another try, was so perfectly executed it resembled a dance routine. That’s because it was.
The scriptwriters didn’t just stop at action; they infused the narrative with emotional depth and historical callbacks. Mitchell Moses, playing through a broken foot, delivered a masterful performance reminiscent of the Eighth Immortal, Joey Johns. Liam Martin’s aggressive play and sin-binning for friendly head-rubbing added melodrama, while Crichton’s return from his time away to deliver a career-defining performance provided depth and genuine emotion to the spectacle.
Queensland, ever the perennial underdog, played their part to perfection. Coach Billy Slater’s post-match rationalisation that his team’s second-half comeback was a positive sign felt straight out of a sports movie script. The weight of history loomed large, with NSW’s dismal record of decider wins in Brisbane adding an almost insurmountable obstacle.
As the series heads to its climactic decider at Suncorp Stadium, fans ponder what twists the writers have in store. One thing is certain: with the NRL scriptwriters at the helm, the State of Origin saga is must-watch TV. Their Logie nomination is well-deserved, and the nation eagerly await the next thrilling instalment. The ticket sales and TV viewership will be immense – and lucrative.
More to come.
