Women's State of Origin Game 3: A Nail-Biter in Newcastle
Honestly, going into Game 3 of the Women's State of Origin series, you'd think it was a bit of a formality. NSW had already clinched the series with a commanding 2-0 lead. But let me tell you, the atmosphere in Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium was electric. It felt far from a dead rubber; both teams were playing with serious fire in their bellies.
Team News and Late Drama
Before the game, there was plenty of chatter about team line-ups. The Maroons, unfortunately, were hit hard by injuries. Tamika Upton was out with a hip injury, replaced by debutant Hayley Maddick at fullback. And that wasn't the end of it; Keilee Joseph’s absence due to medical reasons and other last-minute lineup shifts made for a chaotic pre-game. Ali Brigginshaw, initially moved to lock, found herself on the bench by kick-off, with Chelsea Lenarduzzi starting in her place. It felt like a whirlwind of changes for the Queenslanders.
Meanwhile, the NSW Blues, under coach John Strange, stuck with their winning formula – an unchanged 17 from the previous game. Talk about consistency!
- NSW Blues Team: A solid lineup, showing faith in their strong combinations.
- QLD Maroons Team: Forced changes due to injuries, creating some uncertainty in their game plan.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game itself? Wow. It was a rollercoaster. Queensland came out guns blazing, scoring first through Makenzie Weale. It was impressive to see them fighting for pride – after losing the series, it could have been easy to give up, but not this team.
NSW, though, weren’t going to let them run away with it. Jess Sergis' try got the Blues on the board, then Jayme Fressard's impressive score, thanks to a brilliant pass from Jess Southwell, gave them the lead at halftime. The play was truly stunning, a pin-point pass that cut through the defence to send Fressard over.
The second half was equally intense, a back-and-forth affair with big hits and close calls, culminating in a try to the fresh Jocelyn Kelleher and ultimately sealing the 14-6 victory for the Blues. It was a proper Origin battle – tough, physical, and full of passion.
Injuries and Late Changes
The game, unfortunately, saw injuries to key players on both sides. Shenae Ciesiolka and Kennedy Cherrington were both nursing knee problems that ultimately kept them off the field in the second half. Then, Destiny Brill left the field with rib injuries after a heavy tackle, adding to the drama of the already intense match.
A Historic Whitewash
In the end, the NSW Blues secured a 14-6 win and a historic series whitewash, their first ever in women's State of Origin. But honestly, it wasn't just about the score. It was about the grit, the determination, and the sheer passion on display from both teams. The Maroons played with heart and determination despite the circumstances, proving they are one to watch out for next year. Even though the series was already decided, the final match was a testament to the spirit of women's rugby league. Game 3 demonstrated that these are players who will only get stronger each year.
What are your thoughts on the game? Share them in the comments below!
