Maroons prevail in classic Origin with their backs to the wall
Origin, eh? For the best part of an hour we were all contributing to a mountain of hype for a molehill of reward. It was moderate rugby league fare in Adelaide, a match full of errors, indiscipline and injuries. And then out of nowhere the greatest sporting contest in the country delivered, as it always seems to.
The final quarter played host to tries and lead changes to both teams, a yellow card, and a prop out-marking a fullback under a high ball. It was classic Origin. And being classic Origin, the Maroons somehow prevailed with their backs to the wall. Queensland is not a state, it’s a state of mind.
There were heroes everywhere you looked in Maroon, from player of the match Cotter, to the unflappable youngsters Walsh, Cobbo, and Tabuai-Fidow. Billy Slater is a man with a plan.
Recriminations could get ugly for the Blues. They stole defeat from the jaws of victory last series, and now they’re one-down with a trip to Brisbane to come. For all the star names in blue jerseys there was a lack of cohesion, penetration, and imagination. Latrell Mitchell’s likely return will help with much of that, but the circumstances could also prompt Brad Fittler to be more decisive. Pressure from the media in the next few days could demand it of him.
But that is for another day. Tonight it is all about the marvellous Maroons and their refusal to accept defeat.
Thanks for joining me tonight. I’ll see you back here in a couple of weeks for game two.
Updated
Gould is doing sterling work on the bench in the Andrew Johns heel role, alongside Smith and Vautin. He’s studiously avoiding chewing his tongue off and murmuring bullshit.
