Stories of Origin

In 2022, Brad Fittler and Billy Slater faced each other for only the second time in their Origin careers. The first time in 2004 it was under a very different set of circumstances. Slater was at the beginning of his State of Origin journey whilst Freddy was at his twilight. The 2004 State of Origin series provided us with some of the most memorable moments of all time. In this episode of Stories o...

Welcome to Stories of Origin Series II focusing on some memorable State of Origin performances. The brilliant player of the match efforts, the toughest displays, the scintillating tries. There could be no better way to launch this season than with Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin and Peter Sterling. In 1987, the Blues halfback Peter Sterling was named Player of the Match, twice. Yet the Maroons featuring Vauti...

Last year we launched Stories of Origin the podcast by telling some of the greatest Origin stories with the icons of Australia's greatest sporting rivalry. In Season 2 we're focusing on some memorable State of Origin performances. The brilliant player of the match efforts, the toughest displays, this scintillating tries.  Stories of Origin - Season 2 - available now. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Billy Slater is one of the greatest ever Queensland players, but does that ensure his success as a coach? The legendary fullback steps into the coaches box for the first time in his career on Wednesday night.  In this exclusive extended interview, Slater outlines his hopes for the series and why he wanted to take on the biggest challenge in his sporting career. Hosted by Mathew Thompson. See...

On this episode of Stories of Origin, we go inside NSW camp for an exclusive interview with Blues coach Brad Fittler. Hosted by Mathew Thompson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1995 was the height of the Super League war. As a tactic to fight back against News Limited, the ARL ‘overlooked’ players who’d committed to the breakaway competition from representative selection. And so it was, Queensland entered camp with an unrecognisable squad and a rookie coach, Paul Vautin. They couldn’t beat a New South Wales team still bursting with international t...

Here’s the scenario. It’s an origin decider in front of a full house. 12-all - 90 seconds to play. Your state needs a matchwinner! Who stands up? The very best footballers rise in the clutch. On this episode of The Stories of Origin, we talk to the greatest talisman Origin has produced, Jonathan Thurston. He relives his greatest match-winning plays and outlines the extent of his sheer...

In the first 12 years of modern Origin, QLD won 9 series. NSW needed a circuit breaker. In 1992, they called on a man who, in his first four years as a first-grade coach, had been to three grand finals - for two wins, the first of those in his debut season. Could Phil Gould replicate his club success on rugby league’s greatest stage? On this episode of Stories of Origin, the godfather of NSW...

Between 2006 and 2013, Queensland enjoyed the greatest winning stretch Origin has ever seen. They won 11 of 12 series - including eight in a row from 2006. But it was a dynasty that almost didn’t happen. And had it gone the other way, some of the states greatest players may have suffered a premature end to their time in Maroon. This is the story of The Dynasty featuring Darren Lockyer, Greg...

Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith are the two best players of their generation. On this episode of Stories of Origin, they sit down together to discuss their remarkable state careers.  Smith played a record 42 origin games for QLD. He was the key player in the Maroons remarkable dynasty. Johns is regarded as the Blues greatest ever player. He is rugby league’s 8th immortal.  Hosted by...

Welcome to Stories of Origin, a podcast series that explores the rich history of NSW V QLD in the words of the warriors themselves. We start our series at the beginning of the modern origin format. The birth of Origin.  In 1980, The Queenslander’s were sick of New South Wales stealing their players so they got them back for a one-off game in 1980. 42 years later, it’s never been b...

Since 1980, State of Origin rugby league has been a treasure trove of remarkable stories. They involve mateship, resilience, winning against the odds. Pain, refusal to quit. Underdogs triumphing in the face of doubt. The most romantic elements of sport. Stories of Origin features Origin greats Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Paul Vautin, Wally Lewis, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Jonathan T...