The State of Origin is On!!!

The13th: The year is 1991 .... and The State of Origin is indeed on!


The was 30 years ago, and people still talk about that night. Not too sure how many people out there remember the TV commentator said "The State of Origin is On" when the first fight started.

The13th: There is a saying about Rugby League players, you just let a bunch of them walk through the wood. Those that bang into tree you let them then play forward, those that walk through without banging the tree play backline.

So really I didnt see Geyer, a forward, becoming a radio talk show host! I didnt see Mark receiving an Order of Australia "For service to the sport of rugby league football, and to the community through a range of charitable organisations." This is truly amazing. Its like Jack the Ripper receiving Sainthood.

But it feels good to see good person doing good work and good thing. Mark is amazing and inspiring.

The13th: Rugby League forward are normally Bricks with Eyes, meaning you just have to be tough, no need to move too fast, no need to think too much. But that all change in 1994 when Paul Osborne, or Ozzy Osborne, provided a Shakespearean twist in the tale.

Ozzy has the look and built of a butcher, and does not look like he has Shakespearean intellect, and it surely does not help his image because all his playing life he is wearing one of those Rambo head band, but what he did that afternoon, and in subsequent years, are really jaw dropping stuff.

That Sunday afternoon, Osborne, no longer wanted by the Canberra in the coming season, play the last match for the club, in the last match of the season: Grand Final. Canberra was short on players, Ozzie long considered past his prime, not very big, not very fast, was probably just providing some muscle or bulk up front, so that the faster backline can do the fancy stuff.

But early on in the match, Paul, who probably never ever throw any dummy in his life, suddenly dummy to the right, sidestep to the left, burst past one defence, then just when he was being cut down, threw a Michael Jordon pass to the left that led to a try. The whole thing might even be comical if it is not so shocking. An overweight, unwanted forward, didnt even get to play in the first grade for some weeks, get call up in the last minutes, suddenly play like the best halfback in the world. He probably shocked his own Canberra teammates on that day as well.

Its only 6 points and still early in the game, but it has a kind of psychological shock on Canterbury players when smarter men are out smart and beaten by the least smart player on the field. It took the spark away from Canterbury, who eventually just didnt put up enough fight to get back at Canberra. Watching it more than 30 years later frame by frame, I cant imagine how shocking it is. One second, everything it well contained, Osborne is surrounded by at least 5 smarter and experienced Canterbury players, I think Terry Lamb is among them, that can bring him down, TV commentator voice is calm and not expecting things to happen, and in 0.2 seconds, its like heaven's gate opened up, TV commentator scream in shock, and the whole stadium probably cannot understand how the whole thing change so quickly.

From that day onward, I will never be surprised if some Australia tree trunk would suddenly speaking to me. Osborne prove that Australia tree trunk can actually think and act just like Shakespeare.

Despite that heroic, Tim Sheen still wont give him another contract in the next season. After the match Tim Sheen, seemingly just passing by him, give him a quick handshake and a smile and then move on to congratulate his other star players. Its like telling Ozzy to savour the victory while it last, but sorry you are out of work next year still. But I heard Osborne gone on to become some kind of member of parliament in Canberra the following year. Another jaw dropping stuff.



Checking the Wiki, he came from Lewishan Chrirtian Brother High. That is quite a decent school in the inner western surburb, my mate was there for a year and they have some decent students. I think they are now all coming under St.Andrew series of schools but I am not that sure. Not too sure where Ozzy got his football training because inner west suburb are old and crowded and I dont think the school has a football field. Anyway will let Ozzy worry about it. Anyway its still amazing like one year you are a grand final winner, then next you are in politics. Not many people make that kind of change that easily. Perhaps Ozzy did read more Shakesperean work that I can ever hope I had myself.

The13th: Talked about Bricks with Eyes, I didnt see Glenn Lazarus in the video above. After some search, then I realized by then he had joined Brisbane Bronco. It was a surprise Canberra just couldn't keep Lazarus, perhaps something to do with salary cap.

Lazarus I heard like to sleep for an hour just before match. So that when the match kick off he felt fresh, and just run into the defense and dragging 3 or 4 tacklers with him for 10 -20 yards. The fan called him Bricks with Eyes. You might think he has IQ somewhat around that Teeth guy in 007. But Lazarus surprised most people by becoming a Senator in Australia. I have yet to find out how he managed to do that transformation. You really got to come from some respectable schools, lets find out.

Born in Queanbeyan? On the map it looks so very far away, like end of civilized world. Like Siberia I guess. Even with all the love of parents you can feel like a child neglected by human race. I dont really have any idea what living in that part of the world is like.

More on Glenn later .... who should we turn to next .... Steve Roach? Paul Sironen? How about Steve Menzies? Or old school Paul Sironen and Steve Roach? Too many legends.

The13th: You know, on the school bus, the school Rugby League players always sat at the back few rows, and they will pack scrum and have a go at each other until the bus drop them off at the train station.

On my final flight out of Sydney, some school boys was travelling to not sure where for competition, and true to form, they start to play Rugby on the aircraft and pillows was flying everywhere.

Its good to be young, love sports, and generally be a good person.

The13th: OK, let's go back to that night, I think its 1991 series. State of Origin was normally played on a Wednesday night. We all feel excited about Big and very young Mark Geyer (he was probably 19 or 20) making a stamp on the Game, but he has a disappointing Game 1, almost pedestrian, like he just couldnt get his hand on the ball. Or the ball just avoid him. Its sad to see the biggest man on the field moving back and fro but just not doing anything that has real impact.

Game 2 started almost the same, until a very suspected high elbow get Mark into big trouble, Years later, all parties involved that night try to talk nice out of it, be graceful about what happened that night, talk nice of each other. But not that night. The much older Wally Lewis obviously try to bate and provoke Geyer hoping to get him sent off, so the 6 ft Wally tried to chest-to-chest off 6 ft 5 inches Mark as they walked towards the tunnel at half time, hoping Mark would throw a punch that will get him sent off. No grace, The King is downright dirty. The chest-off was not very nice, you try to chest off another taller and heavier guy, you use your short legs to push and push but the guy wont burge and you would look funny. Mark I guess really loved to throw the punch that will send Wally into solar orbit but Mark knows better.

But that incident put a fire into everyone's belly, and now Mark became the center of Universe, every eye followed him, the ball come to him, every hit and every tackle has a venon. I cant remember who won Game 2 or the series. But all I know is The State Of Origin is On!

See these 2 clowns then and now, in their 50's:

The13th: Oh see that blue jersey Mark wearing, it is similar to the old design/cutting in the 90's, I still had one with me from the 90s. The actual 90's material is canvas-like, not very stretchable, loosely fit - otherwise you wont even be able to run easily, wont break in heated action, but very heavy when wet. Mark's might be a newer more "civilian" and cheaper type for leisure wear, not fit for battle. For the fan who want something more comfortable.

Mine is made by M Sport. Not sure who is making their jersey these days. There is no sign of Tooheys on it. OK common people might not want to do free advert for beer company. Or may be this ad is not endorse by Tooheys so they are not allow to show it.

The new jersey these day are tight fit, of a much more advanced fabric material. OK we had tight fit trend in the last 10 years, but I wonder if playing in Melbourne, and seeing the tight fit Aussie rule jersey, might have influence jersey designer.

The13th: Suddenly Mark Coyne 1994 Origin 1 miracle try pops into my mind in the morning and there is a need to talk about it. I remembered where I was what I did that night when it happened.

I was at the apartment near Oxford St, Sydney Football stadium is just 30 minutes run away. We frens were having a bet, and I reluctantly bet on Maroons because everyone else is betting on Blue.

What I didn't know at that time is this try will be rated as one of the greatest Origin try, that future generation keep talking about it. I found out when I gone back again around 2013, almost 20 years after I left Sydney, and surprised to see TV hosts still talking about it. That year, I think Boston Red Sox gone to Sydney and is having a game at Sydney Cricket ground. Quite amusing.

See this guy put it as last of the 6 tries in the following video, probably suggesting that this is indeed the greatest Origin try. Its good to know, that I have actually witness it as it happened that night. Its good to know that I have seen the best.



I heard the commentator classic "That is not a try, that is a miracle" because it happened at the dying minutes of the game, Queensland looks like losing it one minute, and next The Miracle happened, and NSW is doomed to another defeat.

The13th: I found the list of players that 1994 night, looks like all the stars are healthy and no one is missing that night. Unlike end of the year, you tend to see people missing out on Kangaroo tour due to injury:

NSW vs Queensland
Fullback Andrew ETTINGSHAUSEN[Cronulla] vs Paul HAUFF[Brisbane]
Wing Chris JOHNS[Brisbane] vs Michael HANCOCK[Brisbane]
Center Laurie DALEY[Canberra] vs Peter JACKSON[North Sydney]
Center Michael O'CONNOR[Manly] vs Mal MENINGA[Canberra]
Wing Rod WISHART[Illawarra] vs Willie CARNE[Brisbane]

Five-Eight Cliff LYONS[Manly] vs Wally LEWIS (c)[Gold Coast]
Halfback Ricky STUART[Canberra] vs Allan LANGER[Brisbane]

FrontRower Steve ROACH[Balmain] vs Martin BELLA[Manly]
Hooker Ben ELIAS (c)[Balmain] vs Steve WALTERS[Canberra]
FrontRower David GILLESPIE[Western Suburbs] vs Steve JACKSON[Western Suburbs]
SecondRower Ian ROBERTS[Manly] vs Andrew GEE[Brisbane]
SecondRower Mark GEYER[Penrith] vs Mike McLEAN[Newcastle]
Lock Bradley CLYDE[Canberra] vs LARSON[North Sydney]

Des HASLER[Manly] vs Kevin WALTERS[Brisbane]
Mark McGAW[Cronulla] vs Dale SHEARER[Brisbane]
Brad MACKAY[St George] vs Gary COYNE[Canberra]
John CARTWRIGHT[Penrith] vs Gavin ALLEN[Brisbane]

If I can twit the side:
- I probably want to see Brett Mullins as NSW fullback, but I think he is still a couple of years before bursting into first grade football. But ET will do. ET is not quite as exciting as Bret Mullins, but still flashy, and at the same time reliable and completely tested in a thousand battles.
- Laurey Daley is good that night. In a couple of years injury will slow him down, but that night I think he is good. But somehow I think Laurey always do his best run for Canberra, whereas in Origin match perhaps surrounded by so many star players he might be a bit inhibited or subdued. Oh I see Laurie is named as "centre", whereas his normal position Five-Eight is given to Cliffy Lyon.
- Manly Cliffy Lyon easily outclass the older Wally Lewis. I am fine with this selection. Not just fine. Finest. Cliffy is wizardry naturally. Its not hard to imagine he is the Rugby League player from Harry Porter school. So good that the iconic Laurie Daley need to shift slightly to center to accommodate Cliffy at 5/8.
- the greatest rivalry during my years, Ricky Stuart vs Allan Langer, needs no introduction. That night they are at the very top of their game. All those great halfbacks like Andrews and Lockyer that comes in later years, I bet they built their game around Stuart and Langer gold standard.
- Bradley Clyde makes rare appearance, great player but he was always injured, but he is fine that night
- Steve Roach is ok, but where is Glenn Lazarus? Paul Harragon of Newcastle? Paul Sironen might be out injured otherwise I cannot image him not playing.

The13th: Lets talk about some of those very interesting backup players:

Des HASLER[Manly] vs Kevin WALTERS[Brisbane]
Mark McGAW[Cronulla] vs Dale SHEARER[Brisbane]
Brad MACKAY[St George] vs Gary COYNE[Canberra]
John CARTWRIGHT[Penrith] vs Gavin ALLEN[Brisbane]

- Des Hasler is the one guy I would always want in my NSW team. There is a kind of calming effect when he is there, like you know a most trustworthy person is on your side. Nothing can go wrong. Imagine playing at the backline with Geoff Toovey and Cliffy Lyon at Manly, you can imagine how high his football IQ is. Many players kind of have a body that is built through lots of weightlifting, but Des has that kind of natural ruggedness of farmboy, seaman, naturally fit and toughness. Everybody trusts Des. Even the enemies love him. No controversy. I dont think he ever get injured - a true sign of toughness. I am surprised that he later became Manly and Australia coach, he is so down to earth that you dont normally think of him in high profile role. In fact, he is just quiet, no one ever interviewed Des during his playing time. I was expecting him to sunset off quietly when he retired from the game, but what a twist in the tale.
- Dale Shearer also played at Manly and featured for the Maroons. This guy is real cool customer. Normally a winger, when called upon to play the fullback, he handled it perfectly, when many other high profile player would have fumble. For example, I always felt Tim Brasher are not so comfortable when given the fullback role too early in his life. You dont see the same jittery or nervousness on Dale. He just doesnot know how to be NOT cool. The type of player so cool that after 80 minutes you cannot find a spot of soil on his jersey. Oh I never knew he has Aboriginal connection. I always feel he is a bit aloft like he would rather be at Opera house listening to music rather than be seen on a football field. Like after a match he will head to the library to read some old Australian literiture.
- Gary Coyne a Canberra player? I cant remember. May be. I thought Gary is St.George. How did St.George let Gary go? Gary is the guy that scored the miracle try, he might have started the miracle too, lets watch the video.

The13th: Some brilliant players mysteriously never appear for State of Origin:
1. Gary Belcher Canberra fullback. He looks like Goose in TopGun. I never knew if he is NSW, Queensland, or a Pommy because he never appear in any State of Origin. Despite a grand final winner. You guys may not hear this term "Pommy" but that's what the Australian call those guys from UK.

But I could be wrong. Gary might have appeared for Queensland before Paul Hoff became a regular. Need to check.

2. Gary Freeman of Balmain, then Sydney East. May be he is an English man I am not sure. Or may be he is a halfback, and that NSW position is the birthright of Ricky Stuart.

Some brilliant players are waiting in the wing ready to get call up in case if the main players got injured. They sometime appear in Origin series:
- Mario Fenech of South Sydney then North Sydney. He really should get more call up to change the nature of game. I find him more dynamic that Paul Sironen and Steve Roach, but the later 2 seems to have been prefer by the selector.
- Phil Blakes of South Sydney. Of course as a halfback he would be behind Ricky Stuart and Greg Alexander in terms of selection. And with Greg getting close to zero apperance for Origin, there is not much chance of any other halfback making it. Greg did appear for Kangaroo, so you know it is a lot harder to get into the state side than the national side.
- Penrith Panther's Greg Alexander. See above.

The13th: On the front and second rower NSW outpace and out muscle Queensland even though NSW still have not called on giants like Paul Sironen, Glenn Lazarus, Paul Harragon. And the fast Steve Menzies can play at second rower. Just on this alone, I felt NSW is considered favourite this very night in 1991.

And I have the rare sight of Bradely Clyde that night in Origin game. A player so highly regarded, every time he got a scratch, the coach will rest him for fear that this Australia national treasure is risking permanent injury. Miss a Kangaroo tour. I think he eventually make it to one tour but not sure. From hindsight, if we have given him more games, take a bit of risk, to hell with the injury. he might become an all time great.

The13th: Guys relook at the greatest State of Origin try, it happened during my time ... so long ago ..and is still the greatest State of Origin try:

Thanks. I have lived during a most interesting time.

The13th: A quick note on NSW/Balmain fullback/center Tim Brasher. We have gone to the same school at Marayong, John Paul II Senior High. I was there only for one year and keep hearing headmaster Brother Stephen Atkin (or Atken) talking about him, but that was my first year in Sydney and I have no clue what Rugby league is, and have never seen Tim myself despite same school.

In 1989 when he played for Balmain, then I get to know how he looks like. On TV. Never seen him in person. There was always a bunch of boys playing Rugby at the back of school bus when we ride from Marayong to Blacktown train station. May be he is in there somewhere. They will laugh and crush each other all along the ride. It is a magic that the bus did not break apart.

See the video at minute 1:05. My high school. Tim looks like any common Aussie boy out at the western suburb. You wont guess he will played for NSW one day. Its harder to get into NSW team than to Australia Kangaroo tour.

The13th: Oh looks like Kevin Walters has left us? No not really just that Gordon Tallis tears sort of got me the wrong picture. Sorry Kevin.