A Historic Sweep and Questions Over Timing
The Women’s State of Origin series has made history, with New South Wales (NSW) securing a 12-4 victory in the final match to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. This marks the first time a women’s team has achieved such a feat, and it also means NSW became the first team since the men in 2000 to go unbeaten in a series.
The match took place at Robina Stadium, where heavy rain created challenging conditions. At half-time, the score was 4-4, with tries from Isabelle Kelly and Queensland winger Jasmine Peters. However, NSW took the lead after 48 minutes when they scored a penalty goal. The decisive moment came in the second half when NSW winger Jayme Fressard broke through a tired defense to seal the win.
Isabelle Kelly was named player of the match, while back rower Yasmin Meakes won the Katrina Fanning Medal as player of the series. Despite the impressive performance, both teams struggled with ball handling throughout the series, leading to increased error counts.
Queensland managed to complete just under 63% of their sets during the series, while NSW reached 80% completions in Game I. Queensland coach Nathan Cross expressed pride in his team’s efforts, acknowledging that handling errors were the key difference. He noted that the Maroons are undergoing a transitional year without regular playmakers Ali Brigginshaw and Tarryn Aiken.
Lauren Brown, Queensland captain, who stepped in for an injured Tamika Upton, criticized her team’s “unforced errors” and questioned the timing of the series. She argued that it is unfair for the teams to play Origin as their first competitive matches of the year.
“I think it’s crazy that our first footy of the year is meant to be the highest quality game of the year,” she said. “It’s unfair to the players and the product to expect us to be at our best quality of football. In the NRL this would still be their trial games.”
Brown added that most players would prefer the Origin series to be integrated into the NRLW season. However, she acknowledged that the teams have to work with the current structure. Both teams had six-week training camps leading into the series, but the first game of the NRLW season is still five weeks away.
Calls for Change in the Women’s Game
Isabelle Kelly emphasized the need for serious discussions about the future of the women’s game. She highlighted that the structure of women’s rugby league needs to be overhauled to bring the Origin series into the middle of the season, similar to how it is for the men.
“We just want to play footy and want to put the best product out there. Whatever we can do to be able to play more footy is something we will push for,” she said.
Kelly stressed that all players, regardless of their team, share the same goal of growing the game. She acknowledged the benefits of having the Origin series later in the season and integrated with the NRLW season.
“[The] girls, the majority, would love it to be intertwined into NRLW season, however, we play the cards we’re dealt and this year Origin’s at this time,” she said.
While Kelly is focused on the immediate success of the series, she recognizes that changes are needed to ensure the long-term growth of the women’s game. She mentioned that there are many questions about the future, but for now, the focus is on celebrating the historic achievement.
Key Moments from the Final Match
The final match was a tight contest, with both teams showing resilience despite the challenging weather conditions. The first half saw both sides scoring tries, keeping the game balanced at 4-4. NSW took the lead after 48 minutes with a crucial penalty goal, which proved to be the turning point.
Jayme Fressard’s try in the second half was a decisive moment, showcasing the determination of the NSW team. Her effort helped secure the victory, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Women’s State of Origin series.
Looking Ahead
As the series comes to a close, the focus shifts to the future of the women’s game. Players and coaches are calling for changes to the schedule to ensure that the Origin series is not the first competitive match of the year. They believe that integrating the series into the NRLW season would benefit both the players and the overall quality of the game.
The historic sweep by NSW has set a new standard for the women’s game, but it has also sparked important conversations about the structure and timing of future matches. As the sport continues to grow, these discussions will be crucial in shaping its future.
