QLD Win Origin Series
The Maroons ran out 22-6 winners over NSW in the inaugural State of Origin three game series decider.
Image: Queensland lift the State of Origin shield. Credit: NRL
JUNE 27, 2024.
Some in the crowd were still taking their seats as Player of the Match, Olympic gold medallist Evania Pelite, scored off a lovely pass from Tarryn Aiken after just 100 seconds to set the tone for the first ever women’s State of Origin decider in Townsville.
Led well by captain Ali Brigginshaw and Aiken, the Queensland team handled the wet conditions much better than the Sky Blues, completing 70% possession in the first half compared to just 50% for New South Wales, and they took a 14-0 lead into the break after Julia Robinson added a second try from a kick that the visitors were unable to clean up.
Queensland extended the lead shortly after the start of the second half through a penalty goal, leaving an imposing 16-0 score line. Then with a little over ten minutes remaining, Queensland attacked one more time, however Sky Blues winger Jaime Chapman leapt and somehow grabbed the ball, then set off on a 90 metre run in the pouring rain to score and give the visitors some hope as the margin was reduced to 10 points.
However the Maroons wrestled back momentum, and a late try to Tazmin Rapana sealed the victory for Queensland in front of 22, 819 home fans. Front rower Shannon Mato won the Nellie Doherty Medal for player of the series.
The three match series has been a huge success, with a total attendance of 74, 093 throughout the series - an even more amazing result considering games two and three were played in heavy rain. In addition, the games have averaged around two million viewers.