NSW can deny it until they’re blue in the face, but last night’s Origin decider laid bare a truth Queenslanders have long known: the Blues still don’t get what State of Origin truly means.
In a brutal 80-minute showcase of heart and hunger, it was Tom Dearden and his Queensland Maroons teammates who once again proved why Origin is more than just a game north of the border. Diving on loose balls, backing up in every play, and scrambling on defense as if the state’s pride depended on it — because to them, it does.
The difference in desperation was impossible to ignore. From the first whistle, Queensland looked like a team that understood the stakes. NSW, by contrast, showed moments of quality but lacked the same relentless drive that has come to define Maroons folklore.
“This wasn’t just another Origin win — it was a statement,” one fan said post-match. “Queensland wanted it more, and it showed.”
The Blues now face a reckoning. Talent alone isn’t enough at this level. Until NSW grasps the emotional weight Queensland players bring into Origin, the shield might continue its northbound travels.
