When I first heard the crowd figure of 22,819 for Women's State of Origin III at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, I was slightly disappointed. In the last three matches we have seen the attendance record broken each time and I was hoping that the same would happen for the decider.
But when I reflect on that, how incredible is it that a crowd of over 22,000 people is now disappointing, especially considering that the first Women's State of Origin was played in front of 6,824 people at North Sydney Oval just six years ago.
Last night was Queensland's night (and didn't Queensland need something to smile about following the demolition in the Men's State of Origin on Wednesday night). With a 22-6 win over New South Wales, they won the series and inflicted the biggest loss on a team in Women's State of Origin history. They also became the ninth Queensland team in a row to seal a series in Queensland and make history as the inaugural winners of the three-game State of Origin series.
What I enjoyed the most about Queensland's performance was that it was a complete team effort. Whether it was Shannon Mato and Jessika Elliston thundering down the middle, Tarryn Aitken poking her nose through the line and creating opportunities, Ali Brigginshaw kicking 40/30s or Evania Pelite ragdolling Jessica Sergis over the sideline, Queensland were creating chances all over the field. It says a lot that Tamika Upton had a relatively quiet game; Queensland did not look to her to win the game for them. They had game breakers all over the field.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Blues who saved their most disappointing game in the series till the end. Jamie Chapman saving a certain Queensland try and then dashing 80 metres to score was the highlight with little else to cheer for.
Queensland completely smothered the Blues forward pack and gave them no room to move, limiting the involvement of players like Olivia Kernick, Yasmin Clydesdale, Millie Elliot and Caitlan Johnston-Green who had been so impressive in the first two games.
The Blues were their own worst enemy, completing at less than 60 percent in the first half and astonishingly only reaching their kick three times in 45 minutes. Several Blues had nights they would rather forget including Emma Tonegato whose ball handling in wet conditions was a challenge and the same for Grace Kemp who made some crucial errors at critical junctures in the game. The halves struggled to control the game, with the Blues looking shellshocked from the minute Pelite scored in the 2nd minute.
It's a long time between now and the next State of Origin series, but a topic of conversation will certainly be what New South Wales needs to do differently. It's clear that change is needed.
But it's hard to make that change when the only form that you have to go off is last year's NRLW. Because of when this series is being played neither Tahnee Norris or Kylie Hilder have the benefit of the NRLW season to pick the next Origin bolter or to pick players based on form.
You can say what you want about the quality of the Blues performance, but neither team is being set up for success by playing the series before the NRLW. The strength of performance in the opening two games is a reflection on the professionalism of the players and staff involved, not of a system that is supporting the development of this key fixture in the women's game.
The NRL made the right decision to extend the series to three games. The next key step is one that several players including Kezie Apps have spoken about in the last week and that's to extend the game to 80 minutes.
In the past there have been concerns about fitness, but given the longer NRLW seasons and the increased professionalism in the women's game, I would like to see 80 minute games introduced as early as next year.
If the last 10 minutes of Game II and Game III of the 2024 series are anything to go by, then these players are ready for it. The players have told us that's what they want and it's important to listen to them. After all, they told us they wanted a three-game series and we were treated to stand out moments in each game.