State of Origin III: All you need to know about the game of the year
But they didn't, and so instead of a dead rubber in game three, we're all set for a winner-takes-all blockbuster.
WHERE WILL ORIGIN III BE PLAYED?
NSW will have home-ground advantage for the series decider, to be played at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday, July 9.
It cops a bum rap, at times, the Olympic stadium. Deservedly so when it's hosting a 6pm Friday NRL fixture – also known as the graveyard shift – and 90 per cent of the stadium's 83,500 seats are unoccupied.
But when it's packed to the rafters, as it is for any Origin series decider, it is a special place, where magic frequently happens – Sydney's very own theatre of dreams.
If you're a genuine rugby league fan and you're not in the crowd on July 9, you'll be jealous of those who are.
WHY WAS GAME II PLAYED IN PERTH?
Origin matches have regularly been played in states other than NSW and Queensland, dating back to the early 1990s.
Taking Origin on the road each year is commercially lucrative, because state governments will pay handsomely for hosting rights, and it also provides an opportunity to showcase the greatest game of all in AFL strongholds.
This was especially timely in the Western Australian capital, after the recent announcement that the Perth Bears will be admitted into the NRL competition in 2027.
Optus Stadium has now hosted three Origins and attracted crowds of 59,721, 59,358 and 57,203. That suggests there is healthy interest in the 13-man code across the Nullarbor.
The challenge for the Bears will be to tap into that supporter base and convince them to attend games on a regular basis.
WILL TEAMS CHANGE FOR THE DECIDER?
It's hard to imagine Queensland coach Billy Slater changing a single thing.
He wielded the axe after game one, basically 'retiring' veteran skipper Daly Cherry-Evans as a representative player, and his new-look squad produced the desired result. So barring injuries, Slater will almost certainly pick and stick.
NSW coach Laurie Daley, in contrast, faces some tough decisions. Although the Blues came close to snatching a famous comeback win, they were dreadful in the first half, and some of their stars of Origin I experienced a harsh reality check.
Daley is unlikely to make wholesale changes. He probably doesn't have a heap of alternatives, to be brutally honest.
In-form forwards Keaon Koloamatangi and Terrell May might come into the mix, although the former is nursing a fractured eye socket.
Daley's troops were good enough to win game one convincingly, and they nearly produced a second-half miracle in Perth.
An Origin-series decider is no time to be blooding rookies. To borrow a grand old rugby league cliche, dance with the one who brung ya.
IS NATHAN CLEARY INJURED?
The game's best player was not firing on all cylinders in Perth, and it emerged on Thursday morning he had been carrying a groin injury that very nearly ruled him out of the match.
The NSW halfback ran out with a compression bandage around his upper right thigh, having strained his adductor during Tuesday's captain's run, and was clearly operating under duress.
He handed the goalkicking duties to Zac Lomax, and while he shared the general-play kicking with Jarome Luai and Latrell Mitchell, he did most of it and gained more ground with the boot (349 metres) than any other player.
Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs said Cleary had avoided aggravating the injury during Wednesday night's match, and should not be in doubt for Penrith's clash against Canterbury next week.
Providing he comes through that match, Cleary will be straight in as NSW's No.7 for game III.
Loading
HOW CAN I GET TICKETS FOR ORIGIN III?
There are still tickets available, but they are not cheap, starting at $194 for adults, $184 for juniors (aged four to 15) or $549 for families.
Nonetheless, even in a cost-of-living crisis, the game is almost certain to be a sell-out.
Ticketek.com.au or nrl.com are the best bet for anyone who wants to attend what shapes as one of the great Origin encounters.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
42 minutes ago
- Daily Telegraph
AFL world roasts Geelong Cats T-shirt stunt in Patrick Dangerfield 350th against Brisbane Lion at GMHBA Stadium
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Geelong's unique move to fill the stadium with white T-shirts for the club's big clash with the Brisbane Lions may not have drawn the response the Cats were seeking. Billed as 'a sight to behold' and a 'slice of history' on the Geelong website, the Cats covered every seat at GMHBA Stadium with what they described as 'a free collectable T-shirt' for the Friday night blockbuster. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. It's a move that is often used in American sports and can have a strong look when everyone in the crowd is kitted out in the same colour. Both the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder have adopted the move during their clash in the NBA Finals. On a night when the club was also celebrating captain Patrick Dangerfield's 350th AFL game, the commentators were certainly getting into the spirit. Bailey Smith in one of the white T-shirts handed out to the crowd. Photos: Getty Images 'They have kitted out the Cattery with the white T-shirts on every seat, inspiration drawn from the NBA and college football in the US,' Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy. 'It is quite the sight down the highway as the local heroes emerge. 'Patrick Dangerfield said one of his favourite parts of this would be (his children) Winnie, 'Flip' and George joining him to run through the banner. 'All the kids now fully aware of what they're part of, his place in Geelong lore, which grows tonight, game 350 … on a special night in the way that it shapes.' The fans appeared to be enjoying their moment, with many donning the shirts and a number of others waving them in the air on a cold night in Geelong. The Lions added a splash of colour to the occasion. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Nearly all of the OKC Thunder fans followed the memo during the NBA Finals. (Photo by) The Lions may not have got the memo, however, as the premiers made a hot start bidding for a first victory at Kardinia Park since they won five straight from 1998 to 2003. They have lost 13 consecutive games at the ground since then, yet they jumped out of the blocks with the game's first four goals. By halftime they held a 23-point edge and fans on social media were having a field day over the white T-shirt promotion, with many referencing the white flag of surrender. 'Lol white out is a roaring success so far,' was one comment on X. 'I don't think the white out worked,' said another. 'White out turning into a whitewash,' quipped another. 'I didn't have high expectations for the white T-shirt thing but it's looking pretty average,' declared another. 'Conceded the first 4 of the game, wave the white flag,' said a fifth. 'What's with the white, did Geelong decide to surrender?' asked another watching on. Others were left questioning the decision to use T-shirts as a gift on a Geelong night in late June. One said: 'Yes because people are gonna be in a T-shirt on a 3 degrees night in Geelong.' Another wrote: 'Yeah people are definitely gonna wear them on 5C winters night.' Apart from the T-shirts, Patrick Dangerfield was the man of the moment. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) A wide number of fans used the word 'cringe' to describe the promotion, while another slammed 'the AFL's desperation to Americanise the game'. Some fans were getting on board, with a Hawthorn fan writing: 'Hate Geelong as much as the next Hawks fan but god damn those white shirts in the crowd look good.' A fan apparently in the crowd also gave an insight into perhaps why not everyone in the crowd was wearing the shirt. 'Late decision to make the trip down, might struggle to fit into my 2x small white out shirt,' they wrote. Dangerfield and the Cats need to lift in the second half or the crowd will indeed be waving the white flag. Originally published as 'Surrender?': AFL world roasts Geelong T-shirt stunt in Danger's 350th
Herald Sun
44 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Waverley Park: AFL likely to snap up historic Hawks' home
Waverley Park in Mulgrave. Melbourne's historic Waverley Park may not be lost to football, with the AFL firmly in the race to purchase the venue from Hawthorn. It would be the league's second major piece of infrastructure, following their purchase of Marvel Stadium in Docklands for more than $30m in 2016. Expressions of interest for the property closed on April 3, and a deal is expected to be finalised within a matter of days. RELATED: Ex-Tiger star Kayne Pettifer and mate set to farewell Bungalow Beer Garden Actor Shane Jacobson reveals plans after buying country Vic pub Fairfield: Developer splashes $50m on Heidelberg Rd site Industry sources have indicated the property had attracted significant interest, but the AFL was the frontrunner. They also confirmed the sales price would likely fall in the $10m to $20m range. Hawthorn purchased the ground for just $1 in 2006, with the club set to cash in big-time on any sale. Commercial real estate agency Colliers' director Ben Baines, Victorian chief executive Rob Joyes and executive Lucas Soccio, who have the listing, declined to comment. The Goodlife Gym at Waverley Park generates $600,000 in annual rental income. The offering includes the Hawks' soon-to-be former training and administrative headquarters set within the within the Sir Kenneth Luke Stand, with the club set to move to a purpose-built new Dingley Village site this year. Features of Waverley Park include a full-size MCG-specification oval on the title, a gym, 25m-long heated indoor pool, running track, medical treatment rooms and 48 basement car spaces. But the listing does not include the famous oval that hosted more than 730 AFL and VFL games, including the 1991 AFL grand final. Jack Ginnivan kicks during a Hawks training session at Waverley Park on March 18, 2025. Picture:. While the venue once had a capacity of 72,000 people, much of the stadium has since been demolished and is now surrounded by a housing estate. The AFL said only on Friday night that it was always looking for more facilities to accommodate the growth of the game. 'The AFL has targeted having 10 million attendees at AFL/AFLW games, events or festivals, two million AFL club members and one million participants and in order to achieve the target for participation we need two ovals a week every week for the next five years,' AFL spokesman Jay Allen said. 'We are always looking for ovals, either already in the system that we can continue to use for football, or new greenfield developments so we can continue to expand the space we need to accommodate the strong national growth in people playing our game.' Footballers Jason Dunstall and Dermott Brereton with the Premiership Cup from the 1991 Grand Final match between Hawthorn and West Coast at Waverley Park. Picture: Darren Tindale. Former footballer John Rombotis debuted at Waverley Park for Fitzroy in 1995, and had one of his best games in the AFL with Port Adelaide at the ground in 1997. Rombotis, now a real estate agent, said it was good to see the AFL taking an interest in the old ground – and noted that a purchase price under $20m would be just a fraction of what they were making at Marvel Stadium each year. Waverley Park also hosted the 2000 VFA/VFL premiership match, the last official game played there, and a KISS concert in the 1980s. – additional reporting by Chris Cavanagh and David Bonaddio Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Swans icon's family farewells Melbourne home after 115 years Albert Park: Essendon's Andrew McGrath's $2m+ deal Bodybuilder Sergio Taranto lists Lysterfield mansion
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Surrender?': AFL world roasts Geelong T-shirt stunt in Danger's 350th
Geelong's unique move to fill the stadium with white T-shirts for the club's big clash with the Brisbane Lions may not have drawn the response the Cats were seeking. Billed as 'a sight to behold' and a 'slice of history' on the Geelong website, the Cats covered every seat at GMHBA Stadium with what they described as 'a free collectable T-shirt' for the Friday night blockbuster. It's a move that is often used in American sports and can have a strong look when everyone in the crowd is kitted out in the same colour. Both the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder have adopted the move during their clash in the NBA Finals. On a night when the club was also celebrating captain Patrick Dangerfield's 350th AFL game, the commentators were certainly getting into the spirit. 'They have kitted out the Cattery with the white T-shirts on every seat, inspiration drawn from the NBA and college football in the US,' Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy. 'It is quite the sight down the highway as the local heroes emerge. 'Patrick Dangerfield said one of his favourite parts of this would be (his children) Winnie, 'Flip' and George joining him to run through the banner. 'All the kids now fully aware of what they're part of, his place in Geelong lore, which grows tonight, game 350 … on a special night in the way that it shapes.' The fans appeared to be enjoying their moment, with many donning the shirts and a number of others waving them in the air on a cold night in Geelong. The Lions may not have got the memo, however, as the premiers made a hot start bidding for a first victory at Kardinia Park since they won five straight from 1998 to 2003. They have lost 13 consecutive games at the ground since then, yet they jumped out of the blocks with the game's first four goals. By halftime they held a 23-point edge and fans on social media were having a field day over the white T-shirt promotion, with many referencing the white flag of surrender. 'Lol white out is a roaring success so far,' was one comment on X. 'I don't think the white out worked,' said another. 'White out turning into a whitewash,' quipped another. 'I didn't have high expectations for the white T-shirt thing but it's looking pretty average,' declared another. 'Conceded the first 4 of the game, wave the white flag,' said a fifth. 'What's with the white, did Geelong decide to surrender?' asked another watching on. Others were left questioning the decision to use T-shirts as a gift on a Geelong night in late June. One said: 'Yes because people are gonna be in a T-shirt on a 3 degrees night in Geelong.' Another wrote: 'Yeah people are definitely gonna wear them on 5C winters night.' A wide number of fans used the word 'cringe' to describe the promotion, while another slammed 'the AFL's desperation to Americanise the game'. Some fans were getting on board, with a Hawthorn fan writing: 'Hate Geelong as much as the next Hawks fan but god damn those white shirts in the crowd look good.' A fan apparently in the crowd also gave an insight into perhaps why not everyone in the crowd was wearing the shirt. 'Late decision to make the trip down, might struggle to fit into my 2x small white out shirt,' they wrote. Dangerfield and the Cats need to lift in the second half or the crowd will indeed be waving the white flag.
