State Of Origin
Game One 2023
Blow By Blow.

The battle lines were set in stone
as the players took the field.
There can be no quarter given
and neither team will ever yield.

The first contacts they were torrid
as the game went to and fro
This was like an old arm wrestle
trading tackles blow for blow.

Then Tevita Pangai came in late
The Fox stuck an elbow in.
That turned the tide for Queensland
but no one went into the bin.

Queensland had all the running
the blues thought their defence was fine
but Munsters kick was on the button
and The Hammer crossed the line.

Holmes was right on target
and his kick was straight and true
six nil the score to Queensland
and the Roaches sure were looking blue.

The Queensland backs were cruising
the ground was theirs to take.
The Blues were looking fragile
and their line was soon to break.

Ben Hunt weaved his magic
as the canetoad backline came alive.
Holmes fired that pass out wide to Walsh
and Cobbos joy you could not hide.

Holmes couldn’t put the kick through
but the score was on the board.
Ten nil the score to Queensland
Now they could put them to the sword.

The blues tried to turn the games tide
But the maroons were standing high
Frizell though he had pulled one back
but the call was held up so no try.

Then with ten to go the game turned
The crowd let out a Cockroach roar
Martin took a bullet pass off Lui
and the Blues cruised into to score.

Ten to six the score at half time
Queensland were hanging by a thread
some of the players walking wounded.
they looked like they were nearly dead.

The blues forwards came out firing
to start the second half of play.
Koroisau scored off a loose ball
and the comeback was underway

Queenslands errors were proving costly
they just could not seem get it right.
but Pangais error turned the tide
and Cobbos try lit up the night.

Sixteen to twelve to Queensland
the game was in the balance once again
then Crichton took that pass off Luai
and the crowd nearly went insane.

Why Flegler got sent to the bin
no one will ever know that call
but if inspired the Canetoads passion
and with their backs against the wall.

Their backline put the foot down
The Hammer cut them like a knife
The Blues went into panic mode
they knew they were now in strife.

Twenty Two to Eighteen
with just five minutes on the dial
and when Collins out jumped Teddy
I think I saw Billy Slater smile.

That final pass to Cameron Munster
was as perfect as could be,
and the look of grief on Fittlers face
was such a joy to see.

The Blues had made that one mistake
that they always seem to do.
They forgot about the Queensland passion
and it simply tore their dreams in two.

Twenty six points the Blues conceded
with only eighteen in reply.
I hugged my Queensland banner
and a tear swelled up in my eye.

The next game is on in Brisbane town
where The Blues will face the Deadly dark
and on the hallowed turf of Lang Park
Queensland will once more blow them off the park.

QUEENSLANDER!