State of Origin 2022.
The Kick It Queensland Maroons have rebounded with a hard fought 3-1 victory over the Blues on Sunday at Carseldine.
Twelve months removed from losing the Origin series for the first time in their history, the star-studded Queensland side produced when it mattered to get the win.
A fresh-faced Blues outfit boasted five debutants, four of whom made their first representative appearance.
The key for New South Wales was their hard-working middles featuring captain and West-Brisbane Tiger Clancy Tickner, Ethan Menchin and brothers Connor and Curtis Hill.
The ruckmen stole the momentum early and capitalised through the boot of Menchin as Brad Altman pounced on a well weighted grubber in the in-goal.
A tentative Maroons side poked and prodded with some deft kicks and long pass, however the Blues defence held.
The reprieve came on a repeat (six again) set following a defensive offside.
Queensland captain Eliza Mooney notched up the first of two try assists with a neat kick into the in-goal for Jackson Paton to score.
All tied at the break, the pressure was on QLD to perform given the amount of experience in the team.
The beginning of the second half saw plenty of rucking through the middle.
Quick Blues’ edges in Chloe Storm, Andy Mccowen and David Bath provided plenty of spark, while rookie Alexandria Craig held her own exceptionally well.
Experienced Maroons’ playmakers Mariah Debel, Jess Sleep and Jake Coolwell began to turn the screws through the middle.
Speedsters Dean Saxvik, Jesse Ripley and Emmie Folan-Furphy started to find space on the edges.
The breakthrough came through a quick goal-line ruck by Debel with Mooney providing a perfect cut-out pass to Coolwell to score.
The formula remained the same as with direct rucking by Tony Martin and Jared Lane to help set up QLDs last try.
A quick ruck outside the 10m saw Jess Sleep draw and pass the wing defender to send Dean Saxvik over for the game sealing try in the final minutes.
Well done to Queensland on defeating New South Wales 3-1 in the 2022 State of Origin.
QLD
Tries: Jackson Paton, Jake Coolwell, Dean Saxvik
Assists: Eliza Mooney (2), Jess Sleep
NSW
Tries: Brad Altman
Assists: Ethan Menchin
Check out the Origin trylights via our Instagram page.
The Origin event wouldn’t be complete without our new Young Guns v Pros (under 30’s/over 30’s) match.
Players were closely missed Origin selection were picked for two Young Guns and Pros sides to play in the duel curtain raiser to the main event.
The fun concept was in partnership with our appeal partner Intercept Supply Co.
Players were encouraged to wear any pair club sporting shorts or Kick It representative pants to partner with a clean basketball style top.
In mens, the Young Guns and Pros battled out a 3-3 draw, while in mixed the Guns ran away 7-2 victors.
Mixed
Young Guns: Henry Waller (3), Sam Unicomb (3), Jess Beard
Assists: Matt Beard, Chandler Dalton, Henry Waller
Pros: Simon Kurtz, Kelvin Northey
Assists: Cameron Webb
Mens
Young Guns: Connor Pocock (2), Will Smith
Assists: Corey Pocock (2)
Pros: Jeff O’Connor (2), Chris Webb
Assists: Tristan Bell-Blissner
Our next Young Guns v Pros match will take place on Sunday, October 30th at Carseldine. The match will be the curtain raiser to the Allstars re-match.