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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox State of Origin series
{{Infobox State of Origin series
| year = 1997
| year = 1997
Line 12: Line 13:
| top try scorer = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Andrew Johns]] (2)
| top try scorer = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Andrew Johns]] (2)
}}
}}
The '''1997 State of Origin series''' was the 16th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate [[rugby league football]] matches between the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] representative teams was contested entirely under '[[state of origin]]' selection rules. Like the [[1995 State of Origin series]], players from clubs aligned with [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] were not eligible for selection. Gone were established players [[Laurie Daley]], [[Allan Langer]], [[Ricky Stuart]], [[Wendell Sailor]], [[Glenn Lazarus]], [[Bradley Clyde]], [[Gorden Tallis]] and [[Kevin Walters]] - all representing their respective states in the newly invented [[Super League Tri-series]].
The '''1997 State of Origin series''' was the 16th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate [[rugby league]] football matches between the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] representative teams was contested entirely under '[[state of origin]]' selection rules. Like the [[1995 State of Origin series]], players from clubs aligned with [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] were not eligible for selection. Gone were established players [[Laurie Daley]], [[Allan Langer]], [[Ricky Stuart]], [[Wendell Sailor]], [[Glenn Lazarus]], [[Bradley Clyde]], [[Gorden Tallis]] and [[Kevin Walters]] - all representing their respective states in the newly invented [[Super League Tri-series]].


For the [[Australian Rugby League]] loyalists, younger talent in [[Andrew Johns]], [[Matt Sing]], [[Ben Ikin]], [[Adrian Lam]], [[Trent Barrett]], [[Steve Menzies]] and [[Robbie O'Davis]] all came of age in 1997. Fought out against the backdrop of public disillusion and a game bitterly divided due to the [[Super League war]], 1997's was a dour series. The spirit was there, and some new faces, but the intensity wasn't quite the same. The New South Wales camp was brightened with the arrival of one of Australian rugby league's traditional and colourful characters in [[Tommy Raudonikis]] as coach who guided New South Wales to their fifth series win in six years on the back of the strong legacy left by Raudonikis' predecessor coach [[Phil Gould]].
For the [[Australian Rugby League]] loyalists, younger talent in [[Andrew Johns]], [[Matt Sing]], [[Ben Ikin]], [[Adrian Lam]], [[Trent Barrett]], [[Steve Menzies]] and [[Robbie O'Davis]] all came of age in 1997. Fought out against the backdrop of public disillusion and a game bitterly divided due to the [[Super League war]], 1997's was a dour series. The spirit was there, and some new faces, but the intensity wasn't quite the same. The New South Wales camp was brightened with the arrival of one of Australian rugby league's traditional and colourful characters in [[Tommy Raudonikis]] as coach who guided New South Wales to their fifth series win in six years on the back of the strong legacy left by Raudonikis' predecessor coach [[Phil Gould (rugby league)|Phil Gould]].


==Game I==
==Game I==
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 28 May |
date = Wednesday, 28 May 1997 |
team1 = [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] |
team1 = [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 6–8 |
score = 6–8 |
Line 40: Line 41:
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 11 June |
date = Wednesday, 11 June 1997 |
team1 = [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] |
team1 = [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 15–14 |
score = 15–14 |
Line 47: Line 48:
points1 = [[Ken McGuinness]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br /> [[Nik Kosef]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br />[[Jim Dymock]] ('''4''' - 1t) <br /> [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] ('''3''' - 1g, 1fg)|
points1 = [[Ken McGuinness]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br /> [[Nik Kosef]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br />[[Jim Dymock]] ('''4''' - 1t) <br /> [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] ('''3''' - 1g, 1fg)|
points2 = ('''4''' - 1t) [[Matt Sing]] <br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Robbie O'Davis]] <br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Brett Dallas]]<br /> ('''2''' - 1g) [[Julian O'Neill]] |
points2 = ('''4''' - 1t) [[Matt Sing]] <br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Robbie O'Davis]] <br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Brett Dallas]]<br /> ('''2''' - 1g) [[Julian O'Neill]] |
stadium = [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]], [[Melbourne]] |
stadium = [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], [[Melbourne]] |
attendance = 25,105 |
attendance = 25,105 |
referee= David Manson |
referee= David Manson |
manofmatch= [[Paul McGregor (rugby league)|Paul McGregor]] }}
manofmatch= [[Paul McGregor (rugby league)|Paul McGregor]] }}


New South Wales looked to have wrapped up Game II by racing to a 14-0 lead after just 27 minutes via tries to [[Ken McGuinness]], [[Nik Kosef]] and [[Jim Dymock]]. However Queensland kept their cool and reduced the deficit to 14-10 at halftime with two tries in four minutes to [[Matt Sing]] and [[Robbie O'Davis]].
In the 50th State of Origin match played, New South Wales looked to have wrapped up Game II by racing to a 14-0 lead after just 27 minutes via tries to [[Ken McGuinness]], [[Nik Kosef]] and [[Jim Dymock]]. However Queensland kept their cool and reduced the deficit to 14-10 at halftime with two tries in four minutes to [[Matt Sing]] and [[Robbie O'Davis]].


The Maroons levelled the scores five minutes after the break when [[Brett Dallas]] broke a [[Jamie Ainscough]] tackle and crossed for 14-all. There were no further points in a classic tight contest until the 69th minute when Blues half [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] landed a 26-metre field goal. The Queensland camp was left to rue a missed penalty attempt by [[Julian O'Neill]] in the dying minutes, presenting NSW victory and their fifth series win in six years.
The Maroons levelled the scores five minutes after the break when [[Brett Dallas]] broke a [[Jamie Ainscough]] tackle and crossed for 14-all. There were no further points in a classic tight contest until the 69th minute when Blues half [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] landed a 26-metre field goal. The Queensland camp was left to rue a missed penalty attempt by [[Julian O'Neill]] in the dying minutes, presenting NSW victory and their fifth series win in six years.


==Game III==
==Game III==
Game III was dead-rubber with only pride and soul at stake for the Maroons who were facing their second consecutive whitewash.
Game III was [[dead rubber]] with only pride and soul at stake for the Maroons who were facing their second consecutive whitewash.
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = 25 June |
date = Wednesday, 25 June 1997 |
team1 = [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] |
team1 = [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 18–12 |
score = 18–12 |
Line 67: Line 68:
points1 = [[Julian O'Neill]] ('''10''' - 1t, 3g)<br />[[Ben Ikin]] ('''4''' - 1t) <br />[[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]] ('''4''' - 1t) |
points1 = [[Julian O'Neill]] ('''10''' - 1t, 3g)<br />[[Ben Ikin]] ('''4''' - 1t) <br />[[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]] ('''4''' - 1t) |
points2 = ('''6''' - 1t,1g) [[Andrew Johns]]<br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Jamie Ainscough]]<br />('''2''' - 1g) [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] |
points2 = ('''6''' - 1t,1g) [[Andrew Johns]]<br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Jamie Ainscough]]<br />('''2''' - 1g) [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]] |
stadium = [[Aussie Stadium|SFS]], [[Sydney]] |
stadium = [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Sydney Football Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |
attendance = 33,241 |
attendance = 33,241 |
referee= Eddie Ward |
referee= Eddie Ward |
Line 73: Line 74:
<br />
<br />
Queensland were outstanding on the night at the Blues' home ground and broke a five-game losing streak to win 18-12. [[Ben Ikin]] was the Maroons' hero, scoring a superb solo try after just four minutes and then firing a pass for [[Julian O'Neill]] to extend the Queensland lead to 12-0 at the 13-minute mark. New South Wales came back with tries to Ainscough and Johns but a [[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]] try sealed the victory for the Maroons.
Queensland were outstanding on the night at the Blues' home ground and broke a five-game losing streak to win 18-12. [[Ben Ikin]] was the Maroons' hero, scoring a superb solo try after just four minutes and then firing a pass for [[Julian O'Neill]] to extend the Queensland lead to 12-0 at the 13-minute mark. New South Wales came back with tries to Ainscough and Johns but a [[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]] try sealed the victory for the Maroons.

With Queensland leading 6-0 following Ikin's try, there were a number of spiteful incidents. Queensland front rower [[Clinton O'Brien]] was all but knocked out attempting to tackle Blues prop [[Mark Carroll (rugby league)|Mark Carroll]], while rival hookers [[Andrew Johns]] and [[Jamie Goddard]] also traded punches. Then from a scrum near half way, Carroll flattened replacement Maroons prop [[Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1971)|Craig Smith]] (who had only just come on for O'Brien), while Johns and Goddard continued their private war with Johns actually running around one of the touch judges to continue the fight, though the issue was soon put beyond doubt when Goddard landed a right hand that put the future [[The Immortals (rugby league)|rugby league Immortal]] on the deck and requiring stitches from a split lip. Referee Eddie Ward soon restored order to the game, penalising Carroll for the scrum blow up while sending both Johns and Goddard to the sin-bin, while Johns was also placed on report.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TlYlNUdgLY State Of Origin 1997 FIGHT - Johns v Goddard]</ref>


==New South Wales teams==
==New South Wales teams==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="width:125px;"|Position
!Position
! style="width:125px;"|Game 1
! style="width:125px;"|Game 1
! style="width:25px;"|
! style="width:25px;"|
Line 85: Line 88:
! style="width:25px;"|
! style="width:25px;"|
|-
|-
! [[Fullback (rugby league)|Fullback]]
! Fullback
| colspan="6" | [[File:Balmain colours.png|16px]] [[Tim Brasher]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Tim Brasher]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="2" | [[File:Illawarra colours.svg|16px]] [[Rod Wishart]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Rod Wishart]]
| colspan="4" | [[File:Western Suburbs colours.svg|16px]] [[Ken McGuinness]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Western Suburbs|16}} [[Ken McGuinness]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="6" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Terry Hill]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Terry Hill]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="4" | [[File:Illawarra colours.svg|16px]] [[Paul McGregor (rugby league)|Paul McGregor]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Paul McGregor (rugby league)|Paul McGregor]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:St. George colours.svg|16px]] [[Jamie Ainscough]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Jamie Ainscough]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="4" | [[File:St. George colours.svg|16px]] [[Jamie Ainscough]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Jamie Ainscough]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:North Sydney colours.svg|16px]] [[Matt Seers]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Matt Seers]]
|-
|-
! Five-Eighth
! Five-eighth
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Jim Dymock]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Jim Dymock]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:Illawarra colours.svg|16px]] [[Trent Barrett]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Trent Barrett]]
|-
|-
! Halfback
! Halfback
| colspan="2" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="6" | [[File:Newcastle colours.svg|16px]] [[Paul Harragon]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Paul Harragon]]
|-
|-
! [[Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker]]
! Hooker
| colspan="2" | [[File:Newcastle colours.svg|16px]] [[Andrew Johns]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Andrew Johns]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Geoff Toovey]] (c)
| colspan="2" | [[File:Newcastle colours.svg|16px]] [[Andrew Johns]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Andrew Johns]]
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="6" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Mark Carroll (rugby league)|Mark Carroll]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Mark Carroll (rugby league)|Mark Carroll]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second Row
| colspan="6" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Steve Menzies]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Steve Menzies]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second Row
| colspan="6" | [[File:Newcastle colours.svg|16px]] [[Adam Muir]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Adam Muir]]
|-
|-
! Lock
! Lock
| colspan="6" | [[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg|16px]] [[Nik Kosef]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Nik Kosef]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="6" | [[File:North Sydney colours.svg|16px]] [[David Fairleigh]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[David Fairleigh]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Dean Pay]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Dean Pay]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:North Sydney colours.svg|16px]] [[Matt Seers]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Matt Seers]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[John Simon (rugby league)|John Simon]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | [[File:Western Suburbs colours.svg|16px]] [[Ken McGuinness]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Western Suburbs|16}} [[Ken McGuinness]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Aaron Raper]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Aaron Raper]]
| colspan="2" | [[File:North Sydney colours.svg|16px]] [[Michael Buettner]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Michael Buettner]]
|-
|-
! Coach
! Coach
| colspan="6" | [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Tommy Raudonikis]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Western Suburbs|16}} [[Tommy Raudonikis]]
|}
|}


Line 155: Line 158:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="width:125px;"|Position
!Position
! style="width:125px;"|Game 1
! style="width:125px;"|Game 1
! style="width:25px;"|
! style="width:25px;"|
Line 163: Line 166:
! style="width:25px;"|
! style="width:25px;"|
|-
|-
! [[Fullback (rugby league)|Fullback]]
! Fullback
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|size=16}} [[Robbie O'Davis]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Robbie O'Davis]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Brett Dallas]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Brett Dallas]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="2" | [[File:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|16px]] [[Matt Sing]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Sydney City|16}} [[Matt Sing]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Stuart Kelly]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Stuart Kelly (rugby league)|Stuart Kelly]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George Dragons|size=16}} [[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Mark Coyne (rugby league)|Mark Coyne]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|St George Dragons|size=16}} [[Mark Coyne (footballer)|Mark Coyne]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Mark Coyne (footballer)|Mark Coyne]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Sydney|size=16}} [[Julian O'Neill]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Sydney|16}} [[Julian O'Neill]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Danny Moore]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Danny Moore]]
| colspan="4" | [[File:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|16px]] [[Matt Sing]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Sydney City|16}} [[Matt Sing]]
|-
|-
! Five-Eighth
! Five-eighth
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Ben Ikin]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Ben Ikin]]
|-
|-
! Halfback
! Halfback
| colspan="6" | [[File:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|16px]] [[Adrian Lam]] (c)
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Sydney City|16}} [[Adrian Lam]] (c)
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Neil Tierney]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Neil Tierney]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Queensland|size=16}} [[Clinton O'Brien]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Queensland|16}} [[Clinton O'Brien]]
|-
|-
! [[Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker]]
! Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|size=16}}[[Jamie Goddard]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|16}} [[Jamie Goddard]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George Dragons|size=16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|size=16}}[[Jamie Goddard]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|16}} [[Jamie Goddard]]
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|size=16}} [[Craig Smith (rugby league 2)|Craig Smith]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1971)|Craig Smith]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Neil Tierney]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Neil Tierney]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second Row
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Gary Larson (rugby league)|Gary Larson]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Gary Larson (rugby league)|Gary Larson]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second Row
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Billy Moore (rugby league)|Billy Moore]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Billy Moore (rugby league, born 1971)|Billy Moore]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Jason Smith (rugby league)|Jason Smith]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Jason Smith (rugby league)|Jason Smith]]
|-
|-
! Lock
! Lock
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George Dragons|size=16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Billy Moore (rugby league)|Billy Moore]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney|16}} [[Billy Moore (rugby league, born 1971)|Billy Moore]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Jason Smith (rugby league)|Jason Smith]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Jason Smith (rugby league)|Jason Smith]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|size=16}} [[Jamie Goddard]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|16}} [[Jamie Goddard]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Stuart Kelly]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Stuart Kelly (rugby league)|Stuart Kelly]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|size=16}} [[Jeremy Schloss]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Gold Coast Chargers|16}} [[Jeremy Schloss]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Sydney Bears|size=16}} [[Tony Hearn (rugby league)|Tony Hearn]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Tony Hearn (rugby league)|Tony Hearn]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Queensland|size=16}} [[Clinton O'Brien]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Queensland|16}} [[Clinton O'Brien]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|size=16}} [[Craig Smith (rugby league 2)|Craig Smith]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1971)|Craig Smith]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Stuart Kelly]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Stuart Kelly (rugby league)|Stuart Kelly]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Sydney|size=16}} [[Julian O'Neill]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|South Sydney|16}} [[Julian O'Neill]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George Dragons|size=16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Wayne Bartrim]]
|-
|-
! Coach
! Coach
| colspan="6" | [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Paul Vautin]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Paul Vautin]]
|}
|}


Line 237: Line 240:
* [[Super League Tri-series]]
* [[Super League Tri-series]]
* [[1997 ARL season]]
* [[1997 ARL season]]

⚫
==References==
⚫
{{reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
* ''Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition'', News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney
* ''Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition'', News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney

⚫
==References==
⚫
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 249: Line 252:
{{State of Origin}}
{{State of Origin}}
{{1997 in rugby league}}
{{1997 in rugby league}}

[[Category:State of Origin series]]
[[Category:State of Origin series]]
[[Category:1997 in Australian rugby league|State of Origin series]]
[[Category:1997 in Australian rugby league|State of Origin series]]

Revision as of 05:05, 31 December 2023

1997 State of Origin series
Won by New South Wales (8th title)
Series margin2-1
Points scored73
Attendance86,568 (ave. 28,856 per match)
Top points scorer(s) Julian O'Neill (12)
Top try scorer(s) Andrew Johns (2)

The 1997 State of Origin series was the 16th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Like the 1995 State of Origin series, players from clubs aligned with Super League were not eligible for selection. Gone were established players Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart, Wendell Sailor, Glenn Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, Gorden Tallis and Kevin Walters - all representing their respective states in the newly invented Super League Tri-series.

For the Australian Rugby League loyalists, younger talent in Andrew Johns, Matt Sing, Ben Ikin, Adrian Lam, Trent Barrett, Steve Menzies and Robbie O'Davis all came of age in 1997. Fought out against the backdrop of public disillusion and a game bitterly divided due to the Super League war, 1997's was a dour series. The spirit was there, and some new faces, but the intensity wasn't quite the same. The New South Wales camp was brightened with the arrival of one of Australian rugby league's traditional and colourful characters in Tommy Raudonikis as coach who guided New South Wales to their fifth series win in six years on the back of the strong legacy left by Raudonikis' predecessor coach Phil Gould.

Game I

Wednesday, 28 May 1997
Queensland 6–8 New South Wales
Adrian Lam(4 - 1t)
Wayne Bartrim (2 - 1g) 		(Report)
 (4 - 1t) Paul McGregor
(2 - 1g) Andrew Johns
(2 - 1g) Rod Wishart
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 28,222
Referee: Kelvin Jeffes
Player of the Match: Geoff Toovey

Tommy Raudonikis' Blues gained the ascendency in game I - a match lacking the traditional early Origin intensity but which came alive in the second half as the prospect of a New South Wales triumph became reality. The Blues lead 8-0 at half-time after a try to Paul McGregor in the 31st minute and a goal each to Rod Wishart and Andrew Johns.

Injuries conspired against the visitors with McGregor, Wishart and Johns all forced from the field and sensing vulnerability the Maroons surged back. Queensland dominated the second-half but the Blues defence held out. Eventually weight of possession told and the Blues were cut to a 2-point lead when Maroons debutant Adrian Lam - a Papua New Guinean representative given dispensation to play Origin since 1995 - scored in the 68th minute.

New South Wales' brave and nuggety hooker Geoff Toovey lifted for the occasion and in the last ten minutes made a series of probing darts which kept the Maroons on the back foot and which earned him man-of-the-match honours and victory for the Blues.

Game II

Wednesday, 11 June 1997
New South Wales 15–14 Queensland
Ken McGuinness (4 - 1t)
Nik Kosef (4 - 1t)
Jim Dymock (4 - 1t)
John Simon (3 - 1g, 1fg) 		(Report)
 (4 - 1t) Matt Sing
(4 - 1t) Robbie O'Davis
(4 - 1t) Brett Dallas
(2 - 1g) Julian O'Neill
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Attendance: 25,105
Referee: David Manson
Player of the Match: Paul McGregor

In the 50th State of Origin match played, New South Wales looked to have wrapped up Game II by racing to a 14-0 lead after just 27 minutes via tries to Ken McGuinness, Nik Kosef and Jim Dymock. However Queensland kept their cool and reduced the deficit to 14-10 at halftime with two tries in four minutes to Matt Sing and Robbie O'Davis.

The Maroons levelled the scores five minutes after the break when Brett Dallas broke a Jamie Ainscough tackle and crossed for 14-all. There were no further points in a classic tight contest until the 69th minute when Blues half John Simon landed a 26-metre field goal. The Queensland camp was left to rue a missed penalty attempt by Julian O'Neill in the dying minutes, presenting NSW victory and their fifth series win in six years.

Game III

Game III was dead rubber with only pride and soul at stake for the Maroons who were facing their second consecutive whitewash.

Wednesday, 25 June 1997
Queensland 18–12 New South Wales
Julian O'Neill (10 - 1t, 3g)
Ben Ikin (4 - 1t)
Mark Coyne (4 - 1t) 		(Report)
 (6 - 1t,1g) Andrew Johns
(4 - 1t) Jamie Ainscough
(2 - 1g) John Simon
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 33,241
Referee: Eddie Ward
Player of the Match: Gary Larson


Queensland were outstanding on the night at the Blues' home ground and broke a five-game losing streak to win 18-12. Ben Ikin was the Maroons' hero, scoring a superb solo try after just four minutes and then firing a pass for Julian O'Neill to extend the Queensland lead to 12-0 at the 13-minute mark. New South Wales came back with tries to Ainscough and Johns but a Mark Coyne try sealed the victory for the Maroons.

With Queensland leading 6-0 following Ikin's try, there were a number of spiteful incidents. Queensland front rower Clinton O'Brien was all but knocked out attempting to tackle Blues prop Mark Carroll, while rival hookers Andrew Johns and Jamie Goddard also traded punches. Then from a scrum near half way, Carroll flattened replacement Maroons prop Craig Smith (who had only just come on for O'Brien), while Johns and Goddard continued their private war with Johns actually running around one of the touch judges to continue the fight, though the issue was soon put beyond doubt when Goddard landed a right hand that put the future rugby league Immortal on the deck and requiring stitches from a split lip. Referee Eddie Ward soon restored order to the game, penalising Carroll for the scrum blow up while sending both Johns and Goddard to the sin-bin, while Johns was also placed on report.[1]

New South Wales teams

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Tim Brasher
Wing Rod Wishart Ken McGuinness
Centre Terry Hill
Centre Paul McGregor Jamie Ainscough
Wing Jamie Ainscough Matt Seers
Five-eighth Jim Dymock Trent Barrett
Halfback Geoff Toovey (c) John Simon Geoff Toovey (c)
Prop Paul Harragon
Hooker Andrew Johns Geoff Toovey (c) Andrew Johns
Prop Mark Carroll
Second Row Steve Menzies
Second Row Adam Muir
Lock Nik Kosef
Interchange David Fairleigh
Interchange Dean Pay
Interchange John Simon Matt Seers John Simon
Interchange Ken McGuinness Aaron Raper Michael Buettner
Coach Tommy Raudonikis

Queensland teams

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Robbie O'Davis
Wing Brett Dallas
Centre Matt Sing Stuart Kelly Mark Coyne
Centre Mark Coyne Julian O'Neill
Wing Danny Moore Matt Sing
Five-eighth Ben Ikin
Halfback Adrian Lam (c)
Prop Neil Tierney Clinton O'Brien
Hooker Jamie Goddard Wayne Bartrim Jamie Goddard
Prop Craig Smith Neil Tierney
Second Row Gary Larson
Second Row Billy Moore Jason Smith
Lock Wayne Bartrim Billy Moore
Interchange Jason Smith Jamie Goddard Stuart Kelly
Interchange Jeremy Schloss
Interchange Tony Hearn Clinton O'Brien Craig Smith
Interchange Stuart Kelly Julian O'Neill Wayne Bartrim
Coach Paul Vautin

See also

Sources

  • Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney

References

  1. ^ State Of Origin 1997 FIGHT - Johns v Goddard
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