2004 State of Origin series

Australian rugby league series August 2019 2004 11th 150px 16px New South Wales 2–1 107 203309 New South Wales 16 Craig Fitzgibbon 16px Craig Fitzgibbon (20) 16px Billy Slater (3) The 2004 State of Origin series was the 23rd time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. A pre-series Blues mobile phone scandal, Brad Fittler's comeback, a Golden point outcome in Game I and an extraordinary Billy Slater try showed that State of Origin's ability to create memorable football moments was as strong as ever after 25 years of the concept. The New South Wales' Game III victory saw a match-up in the respective cumulative tallies at 35 wins apiece, continuing a recurring trend where any push toward dominance by one side is soon countered by the other. The Ron McAuliffe Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Steve Price. Game I New South Wales players Anthony Minichiello and Mark Gasnier were dropped following a drunken incident during the Blues' training camp when it was made public that Gasnier had left a lewd message on a female acquaintance's phone. Prichard Greg Scandals, losing streaks, injuries but there's never been a lost cause The Sydney Morning Herald Australia Fairfax Media 15 June 2010 http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/scandals-losing-streaks-injuries-but-theres-never-been-a-lost-cause-20100614-yach.html 2010-06-15 #eeeeee Wednesday, 26 May 2004 16px Queensland 9–8 (Report) New South Wales 16px Shaun Timmins (5 - 1t, 1fg) Craig Fitzgibbon (4 - 2g) (4 - 1t) Brent Tate (4 - 1t) Scott Prince Telstra Stadium, Sydney 68,344 Sean Hampstead Shaun Timmins State of Origin - 2000s The Sydney Morning Herald Australia Fairfax Digital 2010-04-27 http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin--2000s-20100426-tndh.html 2010-04-27 Game one featured the first ever Golden point decision in State of Origin football in the very first game where the ruling became available. With scores locked at 8-all and three minutes of extra time played, St George Illawarra Dragons player Shaun Timmins, who had returned to top-class and representative football against unlikely odds after two career-threatening knee injuries and operations, stepped up and kicked a 37-metre left-foot field goal to steal victory for New South Wales. Blues halfback Craig Gower had already missed three earlier field goal attempts, was struggling with a knee injury and was closely marked by Queensland at every kick opportunity so it was left to Timmins to create his own moment of Origin folklore. Game II Game II had plenty of hype surrounding it after Blues coach Phil Gould coaxed Brad Fittler out of representative retirement to spearhead the Blues campaign. First game hero Timmins was missing through injury as was Gower and next choice half-backs Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley. This left Sydney Roosters number seven Brett Finch to make his Origin debut alongside his club captain Fittler at five-eighth. #eeeeee Wednesday, 16 June 2004 Queensland 16px 22–18 (Report) 16px New South Wales Billy Slater (8 - 2t) Cameron Smith (4 - 2g) Dane Carlaw (4 - 1t) Willie Tonga (4 - 1t) Scott Prince (2 - 1g) (8 - 2t) Timana Tahu (6 - 3g) Craig Fitzgibbon (4 - 1t) Luke Rooney Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 52,478 Sean Hampstead Billy Slater Suncorp Stadium proved to be a graveyard for the Blues thanks to one of the greatest Origin tries ever seen. 20-year-old Billy Slater, a former track work jockey who had burst onto the rugby league scene in 2003, stormed onto a Darren Lockyer grubber kick from halfway before chipping over the top of Blues fullback Anthony Minichiello, chasing, regathering and scoring in the same instant.Steve Mascord and John Schell Slater ruins Freddie's fairytale http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/16/1087244981405.html 1 April 2012 The Sydney Morning Herald 17 June 2004 Game III Gould gambled by making six changes to the side which had played in game II. #eeeeee Wednesday, 7 July 2004 16px Queensland 36–14 (Report) New South Wales 16px Mark Gasnier (10 - 2t,1g) Craig Fitzgibbon (10- 5g) Anthony Minichiello (4 - 1t) Luke Rooney (4 - 1t) Brad Fittler (4 - 1t) Trent Barrett (4 - 1t) (6 - 3g) Cameron Smith (4 - 1t) Matt Bowen (4 - 1t) Billy Slater Telstra Stadium, Sydney 82,487 Paul Simpkins Craig Fitzgibbon In Game III, the Blues recalled Trent Barrett to the origin squad who along with Brad Fittler led the Blues to a big win over the Maroons. The match was also the swansong for Phil Gould, New South Wales' most successful Origin coach who had commenced his coaching association with Fittler 14 years earlier at the beginning of their respective coaching and playing careers. Gould called on six St George Illawarra players for Game III. Debutant centres Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper dominated on the fringes for the Blues and the class of Fittler and Barrett led them to an emphatic 36-14 victory. Fittler scored the last try in the match in his last ever match for the Blues to the delight of his team-mates.Barrow Tim State of Origin: The deciders http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin-the-deciders-20110705-1h0sq.html 7 July 2011 The Sydney Morning Herald 6 July 2011 New South Wales squad PositionGame 1Game 2Game 3 Fullback St George Illawarra 16 Ben Hornby Sydney Roosters 16 Anthony Minichiello Wing Penrith 16 Luke Lewis Newcastle 16 Timana Tahu Penrith 16 Luke Lewis Centre Brisbane 16 Michael De Vere Penrith 16 Luke Lewis St George Illawarra 16 Mark Gasnier Centre Newcastle 16 Matt Gidley St George Illawarra 16 Matt Cooper Wing Penrith 16 Luke Rooney Five-eighth St George Illawarra 16 Shaun Timmins Sydney Roosters 16 Brad Fittler Halfback Penrith 16 Craig Gower Sydney Roosters 16 Brett Finch St George Illawarra 16 Trent Barrett Prop Canberra 16 Ryan O'Hara Cronulla 16 Jason Stevens St George Illawarra 16 Jason Ryles Hooker Newcastle 16 Danny Buderus (c) Prop Canterbury 16 Mark O'Meley Second Row Parramatta 16 Nathan Hindmarsh Second Row Canterbury 16 Andrew Ryan Sydney Roosters 16 Craig Fitzgibbon Lock Sydney Roosters 16 Craig Fitzgibbon St George Illawarra 16 Shaun Timmins Interchange Sydney Roosters 16 Craig Wing Interchange Penrith 16 Trent Waterhouse Newcastle 16 Ben Kennedy Interchange St George Illawarra 16 Brent Kite Interchange Canterbury 16 Willie Mason Coach New South wales 16 Phil Gould Queensland squad PositionGame IGame IIGame III Fullback Penrith 16 Rhys Wesser Wing Sydney Roosters 16 Justin Hodges North Queensland 16 Matt Sing Centre North Queensland 16 Paul Bowman Brisbane 16 Brent Tate Centre Brisbane 16 Brent Tate Canterbury 16 Willie Tonga Wing Melbourne 16 Billy Slater Five-eighth Sydney Roosters 16 Chris Flannery Brisbane 16 Darren Lockyer (c) Halfback Wests Tigers 16 Scott Prince Prop Brisbane 16 Shane Webcke (c) Brisbane 16 Shane Webcke Hooker Melbourne 16 Cameron Smith Prop Canterbury 16 Steve Price Second Row Sydney Roosters 16 Michael Crocker Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Sydney Roosters 16 Michael Crocker Second Row Brisbane 16 Dane Carlaw Lock Brisbane 16 Tonie Carroll Sydney Roosters 16 Chris Flannery Interchange Penrith 16 Ben Ross Interchange North Queensland 16 Matt Bowen Interchange Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Sydney Roosters 16 Chris Flannery Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Interchange North Queensland 16 Travis Norton Brisbane 16 Corey Parker Coach Newcastle 16 Michael Hagan See also 2004 NRL season References External links 2004 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net State of Origin 2004 at rugbyleagueproject.org Sources Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney Category:State of Origin series State of Origin series