State of Origin is defined by special moments and the Queensland Maroons have provided plenty for their fans across the decades.
For some of these current crop of Maroons who are part of the State of Origin Game I squad, they are now making their own memories and have shared some of their most special moments below in the latest instalment of 'Set of six'.
What is your favourite Maroons memory?
Kurt Capewell
“I don’t think at the moment that anything can beat winning that 2020 series as underdogs. It was pretty good."
Daly Cherry-Evans
"In 2020, lifting the shield at Suncorp Stadium. I’ll never forget it."
Xavier Coates
"My debut in 2020, pulling on the Maroons jersey for the first time."
Lindsay Collins
“I think it’s debut, definitely can’t go past that. Running out in the tunnel, it’s up there. You can’t control the emotions, it was a big rollercoaster the whole way through, you are excited and then you cool down and then you sing the anthem and then you see your family and then it’s up again and it’s down, it’s an awesome experience."
Tom Dearden
"I watched highlights of pretty much all the players, so I couldn’t put down one person’s highlights (for favourite moments). I watched plenty of highlights."
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
"Running out for the first time for my debut (in 2020). Either that, or winning here at Suncorp in the decider in 2020. That was massive and one of the best feelings ever."
Thomas Flegler
"Probably just watching Dane Gagai – anytime he gets an intercept is pretty cool."
Dane Gagai - 11 Origin tries in 13 games
Valentine Holmes
"Watching Origin, what would have to be up there is the one where Billy (Slater) scores from the chip-kick. Because he was only young too and I used to love watching him play and I would see he was from Innisfail as well. That is probably one of my favourite moments and also when Locky (Darren Lockyer) scored off a loose ball. Someone through a poor ball from hooker and he scooped it up and he scored under the sticks, that was pretty cool. One for myself is probably (Cameron) Munster’s debut in 2017, Game III, he made a break threw a pretty lobbing pass to myself and I had to reach back for it and we scored. We ended up running away with it and we won the series and that was a cool moment."
Felise Kaufusi
"That would be my first State of Origin series win in 2020. Game III at Suncorp Stadium, that was a good one."
Josh Papalii
"It would be my debut. I also got to be part of the eight years in a row. Even though I came in the last year, it was pretty amazing to see what the boys had done and the achievement. We have them for coaches now. Hopefully they bring that experience and we can pick their brains apart."
Kalyn Ponga
"Game I, 2019. Obviously my debut was special, but that feeling of just winning a game is crazy. It wasn’t even a series win, just a game, but I’d never felt anything like it. It was such a euphoric feeling. It was a full crowd at Suncorp Stadium and there is no other feeling like it, really."
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
“Probably scoring my debut try, last year in Game III, that was pretty cool. I still pinch myself now that I did play that game and got a bonus and scored a try as well. I think it was Cam Munster and gave a short ball to Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and I sort of pushed up in the middle and I got the ball, and once I passed the try line and put the ball down; it was a pretty cool moment for myself scoring in that arena and hopefully more to come."
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This is the third instalment of Set of six where we get to know more about what State of Origin means to the current Queensland Maroons squad. Stay tuned to QRL.com.au for more insights from the players.
More Set of six:
