Unfinished business in Newcastle spurring Meakes' bid for early series lead

Kicking off the Ampol Women’s State of Origin Series for the first time at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium will carry some extra importance for hometown hero Yasmin Meakes.

“I love every time I get to step onto McDonald Jones Stadium.” Meakes said.

“It’s the only game in NSW so it’s pretty exciting to have it my hometown.”

But despite lifting the Shield last year on the very same turf, the Westpac NSW Blues Women’s second-rower knows there’s some unfinished business for her side at McDonald Jones Stadium, having come agonisingly short against Queensland in their two previous Origin clashes at the venue.

And to achieve that goal, the answer’s fairly clear for Meakes given NSW have taken a 1-0 lead in each three-game series so far; 22-12 in 2024, then 32-12 last year.

“We just want to be able to start strong,” she explained.

“We do always start really strong, in every series that we’ve played, but this is the first time we’ve had (Game One) in Newcastle.

“So hopefully we’re able to keep that trend, not the other trend, and get that Game One win here in 'Newy'."

Meakes herself has started her Origin campaigns particularly strongly in previous Game One appearances, claiming Player of the Match in 2024 with 162 metres, a line-break and 24 tackles, before producing a try assist and two line-breaks in last year's corresponding fixture.

Now as the squad prepares to start their Shield defence on a positive note on Thursday night, they understand they'll need to take their game to a new level as they pus for consecutive series wins.

"I feel like with a big squad he (John Strange) pushed us all to new limits, but he really made us have to earn our position," Meakes said.

"Every year it's harder and harder to earn your jersey back, it's not a given.

"But 'Strangey' knows to be able to take out the three games we need to be pushing it to a new level, and he definitely has tested us this six weeks."