Stories of Origin

In the final episode of Stories of Origin series five, host Mathew Thompson sits down with the legendary Greg Inglis to discuss his standout 2008 State of Origin campaign. Known for his power and intimidation, "GI" recalls how he overcame a difficult start to the series to secure a glorious victory in Queensland’s golden era of dominance. Despite his on-field success, Greg reflects on the pe...

No one has had a greater influence on New South Wales rugby league than Brad Fittler. A Blues legend, Freddy played a record 31 State of Origin matches for NSW before later coaching his state on 18 occasions. But the Origin story closest to his heart came in 2004, when Phil Gould convinced him to return from representative retirement for one final campaign. It wasn't all smooth sailing. The comeba...

No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith. Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history. But when asked to choose his favourite Origin, Smith doesn't go back to the beginning. He picks 2017. It was a series that seemed destine...

Danny Buderus relives his favourite State of Origin memory, Game 3, 2005. From the heartbreak of Matt Bowen’s intercept in Game 1 golden point, to the return of Andrew Johns and captaining NSW to a famous 32-10 win at Suncorp.  At the time, nobody realised it would become the last Blues decider win in Brisbane for almost two decades. This is the story of a team that got knocked down, fo...

The "Billy the Kid" Breakout: State of Origin Game 2, 2004 In this episode of Stories of Origin , host Matthew Thompson sits down with a true icon of the game, current Maroons coach and Queensland legend Billy Slater . Travel back to 2004, a year that cemented Slater's place in Origin folklore. We revisit the electric atmosphere of Suncorp Stadium and the moment that left the sporting world breath...

He was at his lowest ebb - then he delivered perfection. Welcome to Season 5 of Stories of Origin . as we sit down with the true icons of the game to explore the single Origin match that defined their legacy. We are kicking off this series with a bang. Rugby league’s greatest player, Nathan Cleary, joins us to dissect his favourite Origin game: his absolute masterclass in game two of the 202...

Season 5 of Stories of Origin is here, and we’re starting with a massive statement. After a stinging 16-10 loss in game one of the 2022 series - a result that left the Blues reeling and under immense pressure - Nathan Cleary faced the ultimate test of character. How did the game's greatest player bounce back to deliver one of the most clinical masterclasses in Perth? In our Season 5 premiere...

It was 1995 - the height of the Super League war. As the ARL blacklisted players aligned with Super League, Queensland was left with a team of virtual unknowns and a first-time coach, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin. No one expected them to win. Facing a New South Wales side stacked with international stars, the Maroons were written off before a ball was kicked. But what happened next became legen...

Back in 1994, Phil Gould’s Blues stunned Queensland by winning a decider at Lang Park - a feat unmatched for nearly two decades. Then came Game 3, 2024. It was brutal. Tryless for over an hour. Every inch hard-fought. Then, with the series in the balance, Bradman Best crashed through - pure power, pure Origin. Madge’s Blues had done it again. History repeated. A dream decider. Featurin...

Lang Park. Suncorp Stadium. Call it what you like - it’s hallowed ground. The kind of place where Queensland legends are made. Where the spirit of Origin greats like Beetson, Jackson, and Tosser Turner lingers in the air. In this episode of  Stories of Origin: Magic Moments , we rewind to Game 3, 2022 - a decider for the ages. With just under two minutes on the clock and the series on t...

After five painful years of Maroon dominance, 1985 was the year New South Wales said “enough.” They turned to Canterbury’s fearless halfback  Steve “Turvey” Mortimer -  a man with blue blood and an unbreakable will - to lead the charge. From stirring pre-game speeches to that unforgettable chair-lift off the SCG, Mortimer’s passion and grit d...

If you need to understand Origin in just one moment, it’s the closing minutes of Game One, 1994. The Blues were cruising - 10 points up with 10 to play - until a wave of maroon belief swept the Sydney Football Stadium. Alfie Langer to Kevvy Walters, Michael Carne joins, Renouf streaks down the touchline, Hancock keeps it alive, Darren Smith inside, back to Alfie… BIG MAL sets the stag...

A series decider at ANZ Stadium. The Blues teetered on the brink, heartbreak hanging over Homebush once more - until one breathtaking chain of passes rewrote Origin folklore. Relive the frantic final minute: Cordner to Murray, Pearce punching through the line, Trbojevic unleashing Ferguson on white-knuckle tippy-toes down the sideline, and - like lightning - James “Teddy” Tedesco divin...

In the 45th year of rugby league’s fiercest rivalry, Stories of Origin is back with its most emotional season yet - Magic Moments: As Voted By You , thanks to TAB. Across six epic episodes, fans chose the plays that made them shout, cry and believe again, and the legends who lived them tell every raw detail. We kick off where Origin itself began: Arthur Beetson’s thunderous return to L...

In the 45th year of rugby league’s fiercest rivalry, the Stories of Origin podcast returns with its most emotional series yet - Magic Moments: As Voted By You , thanks to TAB. From the unforgettable to the unbelievable, these are the moments that made you shout, cry, and believe again. Chosen by fans and told by legends, this six-part series takes you inside the most iconic plays in State of...

Throughout the 1990’s, Allan Langer and Ricky Stuart engaged in an intense on-field rivalry. The star halfbacks of their respective club and state teams, the pair were virtually always opponents and locked into a perennial tussle to wear the Australian number 7 jersey. On this episode of Stories Of Origin, we explore the battle of Langer and Stuart and how is their relationship after years of on f...

After a humiliating defeat in the 2000 State of Origin series, Queensland turned to legendary coach Wayne Bennett to restore state pride. Bennett's bold move to select an entirely new Maroons team paid off with a victory in the opening game of the 2001 series. However, the Blues fought back, leveling the series with a dominant performance in game two. With the decider looming, Queensland needed a...

Allan Langer’s playing legacy still looms large over the Broncos. The clubs Inaugural halfback in 1988 would become their first premiership captain in ‘92, a title they defended in ‘93. He’d go on to lead a team rated among the greatest club outfits ever assembled to the Super League premiership of ‘97, and in ‘98 they reigned supreme again in a reunited 20 team competition. It’s a career so profo...

A Rugby League halfback is the beating heart of a football team, part drummer, part lead guitarist, but every seven needs a six.  In the case of Alan Langer, his illustrious wingmen are as much a part of his story as himself.  On this episode of Stories of Origin ‘Alfie’, we shine a light on Langer's leading men, playmaking champions Wally Lewis and Kevin Walters. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator...

One of the smallest men to have played the game, ‘Alfie’ rose to become a giant figure of the sport. On episode one of Stories of Origin, Alfie, we go back to where it all began. The sports loving, blue collar Queensland city of Ipswich, which has played a significant part in developing champions of the state. And we explore a truly unique relationship. Alfie’s greatest supporter was actually a fe...

Episode 1 available Monday 29 April 2024. Allan Langer. The diminutive playmaking whiz who bamboozled and befuddled opponents for decades remains Queensland’s most capped halfback and revered as ever. Tough, tenacious and talented beyond all comprehension. This season Stories of Origin shines the spotlight on the career of the little number 7 that became a giant footballing figure. Stories of Orig...

It can take just one play to make someone an Origin hero. In the case of Adam Mogg, his two games for Queensland are as significant as any. In 2006, State of Origin was in its 25th year. New South Wales was coming off its third straight series victory and there was growing concern about the long-term future of State of Origin, as many commentators were beginning to wonder if Queensland would ever...

Gus and Big Marn share their most memorable Origin moments, hilarious footy stories and a detailed preview of the 2023 State of Origin series. State of Origin is live and exclusive on 9 and 9Now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2014 State of Origin is best remembered for New South Wales' victory which ended Queensland's record run of eight straight series wins.  The opening game in front of a raucous Queensland crowd at Suncorp Stadium was a grueling affair.  The Blues won 12 - 8 in a demanding match, in large part thanks to the memorable performances of the Morris Twins. In this episode of Stories of Origin, Brett a...

The 1998 State of Origin series featured some of the best Rugby League ever witnessed.  After three years of interruptions due to Super League, the best of the best were back to battle it out for interstate supremacy. Player for player, it was perhaps the strongest series ever staged. Champion Darren Lockyer wore the maroon of Queensland and the green and gold of Australia and with the Super Leagu...