BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

The build-up to Game I of the 2023 State of Origin series has been pretty spicy and far more exciting than in previous years.

Sure, the COVID years are behind us and perhaps for those living south of the Tweed, there’s more on the line because they don’t have the shield.

In the spirit of hatred and all things sledging – let’s take at a look at some of the best of the State of Origin era.

GALLEN
“It gets boring hearing Queensland always talking about themselves and how they hate us,” Paul Gallen said ahead of the 2008 series, “I feel the same way, times a thousand.”

MASON
“They’re going to have 65,000 nut bag, redneck Queensland supporters supporting them and going mad and hating us” – Willie Mason, also in 2008.

MENINGA
“The team once again stands triumphant, their success hiding the filth and rats that continue to linger in the sewers and dark corners” – Queensland coach Mal Meninga after the Maroons locked up the series in 2011.

STUART
“Queenslanders only need to see someone eating a banana and they try and claim him” – Blues legend Ricky Stuart.

HODGES
“He’s number one,” QLD centre Justin Hodges pointing at his teammate Cameron Smith before turning back to Danny Buderus, “You’re number two” – During an Origin game in 2007 after Smith had won Buderus’ Australian jersey.

WALTERS
“It’s OK for you Benny, but could you hurry up, I’ve got a Test to play on the weekend” – Maroons hooker Steve Walters to rival Benny Elias who was taking his time getting to a scrum in the early 1990’s.

GALLEN
“Two-heads” – Paul Gallen in 2014 attempting to describe the appearance of a Queenslander.

GALLEN
“You still have two heads” – Gallen, 2019.

MCGUIRE
“Losers have meetings, winners have parties” – Queenslander Josh McGuire on social media after a victory in 2016.

THURSTON
“Oh, I just let Pearcey know he should probably get a photo with Wally’s statue because that’s the closest he was going to get to holding the shield” – Johnathan Thurston explains his verbal barrage to Mitchell Pearce during the 2015 decider. For the record, Pearce would come back in 2019 and win his first Origin series in Game III.

KRILICH
“Honestly,” Blues hooker Max Krilich packed down in front of grizzled Queensland prop John Dowling, “You could haunt houses for a living.”

KLEMMER
“You’re a has been!” – David Klemmer to Cameron Smith. Only problem is, the sledge came in an NRL trial in 2013, before Klemmer had even played a premiership game. Smith would play another 15 Origins, winning four more series and a further two grand finals for the Storm.

GALLEN
“Queensland’s worst-ever team” – Paul Gallen assessing the Maroons chances in 2020.

CHERRY-EVANS
“On behalf of the worst ever Queensland team, thank you very much!” – QLD captain Daly Cherry-Evans on stage receiving the 2020 Origin shield.

VAUTIN

“They may as well call off the third game” – Maroons legend Paul Vautin’s mic was live and the comment was captured moments after QLD skipper was interviewed. The brutal observation was made just minutes after NSW had clinched a 2-0 series lead in Brisbane in 2021. The Blues had won Game I in Townsville 50-6 and 26-0 in Brisbane. QLD upset the Blues on the Gold Coast in Game III, 20-18.

@woodward_curtis