Robinson's top five Origin moments

Winger Julia Robinson relishes every time she gets to pull on the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons jersey.

After missing the second game last year through suspension, Robinson, who plays for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the BMD Premiership and Brisbane Broncos in NRLW, is pumped and ready to rip in during this year’s history-making three State of Origin games.

“It’s just a massive honour to represent your state because I feel like these games, these moments, are probably the biggest moments in rugby league,” Robinson said.

“You honestly feel like you’re carrying the whole state on your shoulders when you walk out there. I’ve never experienced the feeling I get when I put on the Maroons jersey, anywhere else.

“It’s just amazing how much everyone gets around it. We all just become connected… one state… Queensland versus New South Wales. We all just get amongst it.

“It’s an absolute honour to be able to wear that jersey and represent the state.”

The 26-year-old former netballer said the first time she watched State of Origin and really took notice was when current Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater chipped and chased the ball the score in in 2004.

“It was such an incredible game... you could feel the tension between the teams,” Robinson said.

Robinson said when Slater came into a Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons camp in 2022, she was absolutely star struck.

“Him as a player, and him as a person as well, I really connected to him,” Robinson said.

“Obviously he’s an amazing player but you also see the little things he does off the field with his family as well… he’s incredible. He’s definitely my favourite.”

Robinson said the banter between the states when it came to Origin showed just how much it meant.

“It’s the best time of year,” Robinson said.

Robinson said it blew her mind that she was the Slater for some small children watching Origin at home.

“I still don’t believe it,” Robinson said.

“It doesn’t feel real still. It’s an amazing feeling… it’s heart-warming to see young boys and girls get so excited when they see you. They want a photo of autograph and say ‘I want to be like you when I grow up’… it’s really heart-warming and I still can’t believe I’m making little impacts in other people’s lives.”

Robinson’s top five Origin moments

1. Hunt’s runaway try

“Hard to narrow down  moments, but I’ll go the boys first. I think a really incredible moment for Queensland was when Ben Hunt did that intercept and got the ball back. That was incredible. Just everyone standing up and getting around it and just knew… ‘oh my God, we’re going to win’. Just how much people got around that, was epic.”

2. Slater’s chip-and-chase try

“Another one for the boys… Billy Slater’s chip-and-chase, it shows what kind of player he is, to be able to look up and just do it. How controlled it was… he was just a freak. That was incredible.”

3. The 2023 series

“Now one for the girls… last year having the two games and winning the series, that was pretty special. Even though we lost the second game, it was that next step in our game, having two games, the first year of having two games, and we won the series.”

4. Debut game

“My debut in 2020 was obviously very special. I was so nervous. It was a funny one… it was 2020 and it was the COVID year and we were in the bubble with the whole team for two weeks before we played. It kind of made it really special because we’d been with each other for so long. It was one of favourite years even though COVID was a bad year for everyone. It was still special to be able to get out there and play the game. And it was our first time breaking the New South Wales streak as well.”

5. Going back-to-back in 2021

“Being able to go back-to-back was pretty special. Was a cool thing to do.”

To become a Maroons member ahead of the 2024 Origin series, click here.