Before deep dive into the constant heartache caused by the Men’s team, I like to congratulate the Women’s New South Wales squad for consecutive series victories against their old foe Queensland. You are truly the shiny beacon of hope for all New South Wales supporters, particularly those of us living north of the Tweed. Here’s to you completing the 3-0 sweep at Cbus Stadium Thursday night. The superstar side of New South Wales were too clinical when it mattered and deserved their series victory. Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Meakes and Kezie Apps were instrumental in the win playing every minute of the match and constantly bending back the defensive line of the Maroons. The superstar centre pairing of Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis were their usual threatening selves and surely cemented the Jillaroos centre pairing for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in Australia later in the year. With the upcoming NRLW season

Once again, thank you to the Women’s NSW State of Origin team, coaching and support staff for retaining the shield for another year.

Well, it begins… again! That time of the year where a six week period of Rugby League determines your mood for the next 12 months! The Men’s 2026 State of Origin commences on Wednesday and I have already got that dreaded feeling in my stomach. That feeling of disappointment where New South Wales loses the unlosable series clinching game again. The same old story, the same old song and dance my friends. Yes, I know, we as New South Welshmen and women should be used to losing by know. It still doesn’t make it any easier though. There are sliding door moments, turning points where, if you weren’t watching it, you wouldn’t believe it was happening again and again and again! There seems to be hundreds of examples tattooed into my memory where Queensland pulls off an incredible last ditch victory against all the odds.

What will be different in this year’s series? I don’t know to be honest. My confidence levels are at an all time low after the 2025 series where NSW won the first game at Suncorp Stadium, scored more tries and still lost at Perth’s Optus Stadium and were never in the hunt in the decider at Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park. Queensland once again winning their third series in four attempts.

Lady Oyster and myself moved up to Brisbane in January 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head. In the six series since this time, New South Wales has only won two of these. There has only been two times that I haven’t copped flak from work colleagues, cricket and footy teammates and any other Queenslander that has seen me wear the Sky Blue jersey. The anomaly here is that Queenslanders are the friendliest and nicest people for 359 days of the year. For those other six days when State of Origin matches are played, white line fever hits a whole another level. I have experienced it first hand my friends. My first encounter was in 2011 when I flew up from Sydney for the decider with eight other mates. The amount of abuse and vitriol we copped walking down Caxton Street towards Suncorp Stadium was nothing like I’ve ever experienced. The contest was over after Queensland jumped to a 24-0 lead after scoring four tries in a 20 minute blitzkrieg! The Blues restored some credibility but the result was never in doubt. We braved the Caxton Hotel straight after the game was over and I had one of the greatest night out of my life! The atmosphere was unsurprisingly electric and there were a lot Queenslanders who showed compassion and sympathy as we drank to celebrate and commiserate.

The one thing that State of Origin has instilled in me as a New South Wales Blues supporter is this. The series is never over until it’s over. NSW could be 1-0 up in the series and have a 20 point halftime lead in the second game and I still think that we’ll lose from that position because history has shown that scenario is in deed possible. The Queensland Maroons are the Michael Jordan of sporting teams. They use any negative media as motivation to pump themselves up.

I hope we win the series this year. I am not confident by any stretch of the imagination. If we don’t have hope as Blues supporters, we else is there?