Origin: The State of Origin Podcast

Award winning entertainer BRADLEY MCCAW investigates the true story of Australia's favourite sporting event 'State of Origin.’

On 27th may 1980 two rugby league teams from neighbouring states in Australia ran onto Leichhardt Oval in NSW. Underdogs Queensland in maroon versus NSW wearing blue, gladiators unbeaten for almost two decades. As the siren sounded on GAME 2 of this best of 3 series - NSW had clinched another series, capping off 20 years without a series loss. Except… for most of the 80 years this interstate clash had existed… NSW had dominated by buying all of Queenslands best players. So Queensland… had lost for 20 years… to… well, Queensland?But on this fateful night in 1980… the game would be changed. For one night, players would play for their state of birth.  NSW had already won the series… so no one would care they said. it didn’t really mean anything… Boy were they wrong.

This project has been supported by the City of Moreton Bay & Arts Queensland.