By Wayne Heming Valentine Holmes could join maroon greats Mal Meninga and Johnathan Thurston in Origin’s Centurion Club if he scores 14 or more points in the upcoming three-game interstate series. Only two of the 227 players who have pulled on Queensland jumper since Arthur Beetson, FOG#1 in 1980, have scored 100 or more Origin
Queensland has done a great job re-stocking its State of Origin player shelves since the departure of so many stalwarts from its golden era when the state claimed a record eight straight interstate series. Over recent years, Queensland has farewelled some of its finest, many of them, including former captains Cameron Smith (FOG#140, 42 games)
Two Former Origin Greats (FOGS) who played with heart and passion have endorsed fiery Canberra redhead Corey Horsburgh as a future Queensland player -- possibly even as early as this year’s interstate series. Chris “Choppy” Close, Maroon FOG #5 and Justin Hodges, Maroon FOG #130 are both fans of the bustling Caboolture 24-year-old who has
Young Rooster halfback Sam Walker continues to impress with his progress this season after being drafted into coach Billy Slater’s Queensland Origin squad as a reserve for last year’s series’ winning decider. Walker keeps ticking boxes in the NRL that have him earmarked as a future Queensland Origin player. Barring injury or suspension, Manly hero,
MAROONS mentor Billy Slater believes the birth of the Dolphins can strengthen Queensland’s Origin program, and has backed Wayne Bennett to bring success in the expansion club’s embryonic years. The Dolphins will enter the big league in 2023 as Queensland’s fourth club, and part of the NRL’s expansion push was a deliberate strategy to ensure
REECE Walsh has set his sights on a maiden Queensland Origin jumper next season as Brisbane’s marquee recruit looks to light up the Broncos’ backline in 2023. After an 18-month stint at the Warriors, Walsh has come back home to Red Hill and all eyes will be on the classy 20-year-old being hailed as the
IF it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The band is coming back together again with Queensland coach Billy Slater outlining plans for his trio of assistants Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Josh Hannay to return for the Maroons’ Origin title defence next year. While Slater was the figurehead in Queensland’s stunning fightback to bring down
QUEENSLAND discovery Pat Carrigan has put the Blues on notice, saying he can only get better and will not allow the Maroons to become complacent as they chase back-to-back Origin crowns next season. Carrigan says he will use the bitter-sweet experience of Brisbane’s NRL finals collapse and stunning elevation into Australia’s World Cup squad to
FOG No.225 has capped his extraordinary breakout season by being named the NRL’s Dally M Rookie of the Year for 2022. Nanai was among a host of Maroons to pick up awards on the NRL’s night of celebration, while Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes was named the Dally M Medal winner as the game’s best and fairest
DALY Cherry-Evans has pledged to give Sam Walker an apprenticeship for the Queensland No.7 jumper, with the veteran skipper determined not to leave the Maroons in a playmaking hole when he eventually retires. Queensland’s fusion of old and new were on display when Cherry-Evans and Walker featured in the Australian Prime Minister's XIII 64-14 win
