Origin is almost here! We're celebrating this incredible time of year by counting down our favourite NSW Origin memories. With just five days to go, here’s our fifth-ranked all-time favourite Blues moment - Trent Hodkinson's four-pointer in Game II last year.
It was arguably the single greatest moment in the NSW VB Blues’ recent history.
The moment where, in Game II 2014, the VB Blues took a big opportunity – and a big step towards ending Queensland’s era of dominance.
In the eight Queensland series victories from 2006-2013, seven of them ended 2-1. NSW had come so close, but failed to find that series-winning moment that an entire state had not witnessed since 2005.
In the 71st minute of the match while trailing by four, halfback Trent Hodkinson threw a dummy and broke through the line of defence to score the decisive four-pointer – and open Blues’ eyes to the possibility of a series victory then and there.
The 83,421 people at ANZ Stadium erupted, as did the Blues faithful in and around the state.
This photo shows the moment that NSW supporters had been waiting for – the exact moment Hodkinson was about to plant the ball down to finally win a State of Origin series after eight painful years of Queensland dominance. He then went onto convert the try himself to take the lead and make it 6-4 – the eventual final score.
It’s the moment the Blues finally ended the drought.
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.