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Brett Finch after kicking the winning field-goal during the Harvey Norman State of Origin match 1 at Telstra Stadium Sydney. 24/5/06. ©Action Photographics/Robb Cox

Origin is almost here! We're celebrating this special time of the year by counting down our favourite NSW Origin memories. With just three days to go, here’s our third-ranked all-time favourite Blues moment – the moment Finchy completed a fairytale.

 

It’s the ultimate underdog story - the man nobody wanted as the NSW Blues halfback winning the game with a 35-metre field goal in Game 1 of the 2006 State of Origin series.

Commentator Peter Sterling summed it up perfectly – “Here’s a man that gets a lot of criticism, but none tonight. He has won the game for NSW.”

Craig Gower was originally selected as halfback but got injured, whilst the next three men in line were also unavailable to play. Eventually, Finch was picked to play halfback.

He scored a try and had a hand in two more, before the scores were locked at 16-all with less than two minutes remaining in the match. Finch, who had not played an Origin game in two years, called for the ball and casually slotted the one-pointer to win the game for the Blues.

Finch was swamped by his teammates, and this photo of him jumping into the arms of Braith Anasta and belting out an almighty roar displays the emotion he had once he realised what he had just achieved.

The moment the underdog won the game for his state.

 

What’s your favourite NSW VB Blues Magic Moment? Let us know via Facebook (NSW Blues) and Twitter (@NSWRL) using the #uptheblues hashtag.

Will you be in a position to witness more iconic moments this Origin series? Answer the call and get behind your NSW VB Blues when they take on Queensland in this year’s Holden State of Origin. The only Origin match in Sydney this year is played on May 27. There’s no better way to support the Blues than being a part of the Blatchys Blues crowd - join the Official NSW VB Blues supporter bays for Origin I here.

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New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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