With Melbourne Storm having picked up the major domestic prize in the Australian game. All eyes now turned to the season finale, a three game State of Origin series as the best in the game represented New South Wales and Queensland in the most anticipated battles of the year.

The Blues of New South Wales were looking for a third consecutive series victory to reinforce their recent dominance while the Maroons have won eleven out of the last fourteen of the three-game competitions.

It was Brad Fittler's Blues against Wayne Bennett's Maroons in the stage-setting first game as eleven debuting players fulfilled their boyhood dreams and took to the field to make their debuts in the 40^th running of the series.

READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

With Melbourne Storm having picked up the major domestic prize in the Australian game. All eyes now turned to the season finale, a three game State of Origin series as the best in the game represented New South Wales and Queensland in the most anticipated battles of the year.

The Blues of New South Wales were looking for a third consecutive series victory to reinforce their recent dominance while the Maroons have won eleven out of the last fourteen of the three-game competitions.

It was Brad Fittler's Blues against Wayne Bennett's Maroons in the stage-setting first game as eleven debuting players fulfilled their boyhood dreams and took to the field to make their debuts in the 40^th running of the series.

READ MORE ON THIS STORY...