87,000 people at the MCG witnessed what many from NSW will be believing is the start of a new dawn in State of Origin and the end of a mighty Queensland dynasty after they out muscled and busted through Queensland for a deserved 22-12 victory. Many were wondering how the 11 debutants that Brad Fitler had boldly blooded would handle the step in class and intensity of Origin it has to be said that the majority passed with flying colors and can form the core of a good NSW team for years. Ill be honest i sound like a New South Wales journalist right now, a lot of the same things were said after Game 1 last year when NSW drubbed Qld but ended up going on to lose the series. I am going to check myself on talking up NSW up to much because as a proud Queenslander i think we can still win the series.
Game 1 started like most Origins very tough and willing in the middle of the field as both teams marched each other up and down until Queensland finally snapped in the 26th minute when Origin rookie Damian Cook used his sizzling speed to break through the middle and set up Man of the Match James Tedesco. Queensland fought back not long later with an intercept try to flyer Val Holmes and looked on top leading in to half time, a contentious call to award NSW a 7 tackle set and not a drop out to Queensland holted there momentum before half time.
Queensland resumed there dominance early in the second half and were rewarded with a neatly constructed Dane Gagai try early on and took the lead 12 points to 8, from hear NSW took over. I must say a huge turning point was with Queensland looking on top and working out of there own half a referee decision to call a knock on when Dane Gagai clearly had the ball stripped by Angus Crighton, this was a match changer. From there NSW scored off that set of 6 and then the next set and the game was over. A try off a blatant 3 meter forward pass from James Maloney to Addo-Carr then iced the game. This may sound like sour grapes i will say NSW were the better team on the night but a few decisions during the game from the ref undoubtedly changed the course of the game in there favor.
I will be back shortly to have a look at some changes i would like to see made from the Queensland side of things for Game 2. I hope you all enjoyed my post, please feel free to throw a comment and upvote my way.