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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox State of Origin series
{{Infobox State of Origin series
| year = 1984
| year = 1984
Line 5: Line 6:
| imagesize = 100px
| imagesize = 100px
| caption = Logo of the [[Australian Rugby League]]
| caption = Logo of the [[Australian Rugby League]]
| winners = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]]
| winners = [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]]
| margin = 2-1
| margin = 2–1
| points = 91
| points = 91
| attendance = 79309
| attendance = 79309
| top points scorer = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Ross Conlon]] (18)
| top points scorer = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Ross Conlon]] (18)
| top try scorer = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Kerry Boustead]] (4)
| top try scorer = [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Kerry Boustead]] (4)
}}
}}
The '''1984 [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] series''' was the 3rd annual series contested between the representative [[rugby league football]] teams of [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]] and [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]] under "state of origin" selection rules. With Queensland wrapping up the series in the first two matches it produced the first dead-rubber finish and an infamous opening minute brawl in game II.
The '''1984 State of Origin series''' was the third time the [[State of Origin series|annual three-game series]] between the representative [[rugby league]] football teams of [[New South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales]] and [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]] was played entirely under "[[state of origin]]" selection rules. With Queensland wrapping up the series in the first two matches it produced the first [[dead rubber]] finish and an infamous opening minute brawl in game II.
__TOC__
__TOC__
{{clear}}
<br style="clear:both;" />


==Game I==
==Game I==
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| last = Gallaway
| last = Gallaway
| first = Jack
| first = Jack
| authorlink =
| author-link =
| coauthors =
| title = Origin: Rugby league's greatest contest 1980 - 2002
| title = Origin: Rugby league's greatest contest 1980 - 2002
| publisher = [[University of Queensland]] Press
| publisher = [[University of Queensland]] Press
Line 27: Line 27:
| location =
| location =
| pages = 50–51
| pages = 50–51
| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3nDbsx3Hk7QC&printsec=frontcover
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3nDbsx3Hk7QC
| doi =
| doi =
| id =
| id =
| isbn =978-0-7022-3383-8}}</ref> [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown]] halfback [[Steve Mortimer]] was originally selected as the Blues halfback, but withdrew with a hamstring injury. Mortimer later confirmed he had actually faked the injury as he wasn't happy with the selection of long-time rival [[Peter Sterling (rugby league commentator)|Peter Sterling]] on the bench. Mortimer felt that with Sterling's [[Parramatta Eels|Parramatta]] team mate [[Ray Price (rugby)|Ray Price]] as team captain, he would not have a voice or be able to run the team on the field as he wished to. Sterling was elevated to the starting line up after Mortimer's withdrawal with [[St George Dragons|St George]]'s [[Brian Hetherington]] selected as the reserve back.
| isbn = 0702233838, 9780702233838}}</ref>
{{Rugbyleaguebox
{{Rugbyleaguebox
|bg = #eeeeee
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 29 May<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11174 1984 State of Origin game 1] at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|date = Tuesday, 29 May 1984<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11174 1984 State of Origin game 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304214927/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11174 |date=4 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game9.html (Report)]
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game9.html (Report)]
|team1 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
|team1 = [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
|team2 = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|team2 = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|score = 29–12
|score = 29–12
|points1 = ('''12''' - 3 t) [[Kerry Boustead]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Paul Vautin]] <br> ('''5''' - 1 t, 1 fg) [[Wally Lewis]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Gene Miles]] <br> ('''4''' - 2 g) [[Mal Meninga]]
|points1 = ('''12''' - 3 t) [[Kerry Boustead]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Paul Vautin]] <br> ('''5''' - 1 t, 1 fg) [[Wally Lewis]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Gene Miles]] <br> ('''4''' - 2 g) [[Mal Meninga]]
Line 42: Line 42:
|stadium =[[Lang Park]]
|stadium =[[Lang Park]]
|attendance = 33,662
|attendance = 33,662
|referee= [[Kevin Roberts]]<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game9.html State Of Origin - Game 1, 1984] at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|referee= [[Kevin Roberts (referee)|Kevin Roberts]]<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game9.html State Of Origin - Game 1, 1984] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061219/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game9.html |date=2007-10-01 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|manofmatch= [[Wally Lewis]] }}
|manofmatch= [[Wally Lewis]] }}


Queensland were motivated by the announcement that New South Wales coach [[Frank Stanton (rugby league)|Frank Stanton]] had been appointed as [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian national]] coach for the upcoming [[Rugby League Ashes|Ashes]] series against Great Britain. Queensland's own coach and favoured Origin son, [[Arthur Beetson]] was being dumped in favour of Stanton and notwithstanding that Stanton was merely returning to the helm having previously steered the national side on two triumphant [[Kangaroo tour]]s, the Maroons were keen to avenge the honour of Beetson.
Queensland were motivated by the announcement that New South Wales coach [[Frank Stanton (rugby league)|Frank Stanton]] had been appointed as [[Australian Kangaroos|Australian national]] coach for the upcoming [[Rugby League Ashes|Ashes]] series against Great Britain. Queensland's own coach and favoured Origin son, [[Arthur Beetson]] was being dumped in favour of Stanton and notwithstanding that Stanton was merely returning to the helm having previously steered the national side on two triumphant [[Kangaroo tour]]s, the Maroons were keen to avenge the honour of Beetson who had been dumped as Australian coach following the Kangaroos 19–12 loss to [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] at [[Lang Park]] in 1983.


The Maroons won the match 29-12 with [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles|Manly]] winger [[Kerry Boustead]] achieving the rare Origin honour of scoring three tries.
The Maroons won the match 29–12 with Manly-Warringah winger [[Kerry Boustead]] achieving the rare Origin honour of scoring three tries. [[Mal Meninga]] had a poor night with the boot, only kicking two goals from eight attempts. It was rumoured that this ultimately cost him a place in the Australian team for the first Ashes test with NSW goalkicking winger [[Ross Conlon]] winning a spot on the wing.


==Game II==
==Game II==
{{Rugbyleaguebox
{{Rugbyleaguebox
|bg = #eeeeee
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 19 June<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11172 1984 State of Origin game 2] at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|date = Tuesday, 19 June 1984<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11172 1984 State of Origin game 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304214936/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11172 |date=4 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game10.html (Report)]
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game10.html (Report)]
||team1 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
||team1 = [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
|team2 = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|team2 = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|score = 14–2
|score = 14–2
|points1 = ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Greg Dowling]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Gene Miles]] <br> ('''6''' - 3 g) [[Mal Meninga]]
|points1 = ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Greg Dowling]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Gene Miles]] <br> ('''6''' - 3 g) [[Mal Meninga]]
Line 61: Line 61:
|stadium = [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
|stadium = [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]
|attendance = 29,088
|attendance = 29,088
|referee= [[Barry Gomersall]]<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game10.html State Of Origin - Game 2, 1984] at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|referee= [[Barry Gomersall]]<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game10.html State Of Origin - Game 2, 1984] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815221028/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game10.html |date=15 August 2007 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|manofmatch= [[Wally Lewis]] }}
|manofmatch= [[Wally Lewis]] }}


Game II was played on a horribly cold and wet night that saw almost 30,000 cram into the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], signalling that finally the New South Wales public had embraced the Origin concept. The mud, rain and tolerant eye of referee Barry Gomersall combined to form an explosive mix. Progress was arduous in the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]] quagmire and handling almost impossible.
Game II was played on a cold and wet night that saw almost 30,000 cram into the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], signalling that the New South Wales public had finally embraced the Origin concept. The mud, rain and tolerant eye of referee [[Barry Gomersall]] combined to form an explosive mix. Progress was arduous in the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]] quagmire and handling almost impossible.


Blues prop [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]] triggered an all-in brawl in the second tackle of the match with players trading blows for more than a minute afterwards in three separate melees. The sight of [[Chris Close]], his jumper torn off, going blow-for-blow with New South Wales lock [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] became an enduring Origin image. When order was finally restored, Gomersall merely awarded a penalty against the Blues and allowed play to continue.
Blues prop [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]] triggered an all-in brawl in the second tackle of the match with players trading blows for more than a minute afterwards in three separate melees. The sight of [[Chris Close]], his jumper torn off, going blow-for-blow with New South Wales lock [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] became an enduring Origin image. When order was finally restored, Gomersall merely awarded a penalty against the Blues (which he had already called just as the fight started) and allowed play to continue.


Both sides dug in for a slogging defensive contest and not surprisingly, when Gomersall called a halt for half-time, neither side had scored. So bad were conditions, Blues second-rower [[Noel Cleal]] attempted a line drop out only for the ball to stick in the gluey mud and trickle a metre forward. The deadlock was only broken when [[Mal Meninga]] landed a penalty goal. shortly afterwardse Queensland prop [[Greg Dowling]] scored a memorable Origin try. Lewis had been peppering the New South wales line with his searching kicks and chipped ahead, aiming for the in-goal area. In a moment of good fortune for the Maroons the ball struck the cross-bar and Dowling who had been following through, took an extraordinary catch on his finger tips centimetres from the rain soaked ground and plunged across the line in a splash of mud to score and give Queensland an 8-0 lead.<ref>{{cite news
Both sides dug in for a slogging defensive contest and not surprisingly, when Gomersall called a halt for half-time, neither side had scored. So bad were conditions, Blues second-rower [[Noel Cleal]] attempted a line drop out only for the ball to stick in the gluey mud and trickle a metre forward. In contrast, [[Wally Lewis]] had earlier kicked a drop out some 40 metres downfield which drew a glare from Gomersall, especially as a quarter line drop out from Lewis just 10 minutes into the game had barely travelled 10 metres. Lewis later admitted that he had distracted Gomersall by calling for his team to stay onside. When Gomersall looked away to check, Lewis kicked the ball but caught it before it hit the ground. The deadlock was only broken when [[Mal Meninga]] landed a penalty goal. shortly afterwards Queensland prop [[Greg Dowling]] scored a memorable Origin try. Lewis had been peppering the New South wales line with his searching kicks and chipped ahead, aiming for the in-goal area. In a moment of good fortune for the Maroons the ball struck the cross-bar and Dowling who had been following through, took an extraordinary catch on his finger tips centimetres from the rain soaked ground and plunged across the line in a splash of mud to score and give Queensland an 8–0 lead.<ref>{{cite news
| last =
| last =
| first =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = State of Origin - 1980s
| title = State of Origin - 1980s
| work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
| work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
Line 80: Line 79:
| accessdate = 2010-04-27}}</ref>
| accessdate = 2010-04-27}}</ref>


The Blues responded with a penalty goal to winger [[Ross Conlon]] reducing the Queensland lead to a converted try but when Maroon centre [[Gene Miles]] powered his way over the line from dummy half, the Queensland lead extended to 14-2 and there was no way back for the Blues.
The Blues responded with a penalty goal to winger [[Ross Conlon]] reducing the Queensland lead to a converted try but when Maroon centre [[Gene Miles]] powered his way over the line from dummy half, the Queensland lead extended to 14–2 and there was no way back for the Blues.


==Game III==
==Game III==
With the series decided in Sydney, game III at [[Lang Park]] became a dead-rubber but was significant for the selection of [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] half-back [[Steve Mortimer]] as captain of New South Wales for the first time after [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] had elected to stand down from representative football following the third Ashes Test.
With the series decided in Sydney, game III at [[Lang Park]] became a dead-rubber but was significant for the selection of [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] half-back [[Steve Mortimer]] as captain of New South Wales for the first time after [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] had elected to stand down from representative football following the third Ashes Test.


New South Wales selectors took the opportunity to blood a number of young players for the first time like [[Chris Mortimer]], [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]] and [[Peter Wynn]] who along with Mortimer would play dominant roles in the Blues revival of 1985.
New South Wales selectors took the opportunity to blood a number of young players for the first time like [[Chris Mortimer]], [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]] and [[Peter Wynn]] who along with Mortimer would play dominant roles in the Blues revival of 1985.
{{Rugbyleaguebox
{{Rugbyleaguebox
|bg = #eeeeee
|bg = #eeeeee
|date = 17 July<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11173 1984 State of Origin game 3] at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|date = Tuesday, 17 July 1984<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11173 1984 State of Origin game 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304214942/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11173 |date=4 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref>
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game11.html (Report)]
|report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game11.html (Report)]
|team1 = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|team1 = [[File:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]]
|team2 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
|team2 = [[File:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]]
|score = 22–12
|score = 22–12
|points1 = ('''10''' - 5 g) [[Ross Conlon]] <br> ('''8''' - 2 t) [[Brian S Johnston|Brian Johnston]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Noel Cleal]]
|points1 = ('''10''' - 5 g) [[Ross Conlon]] <br> ('''8''' - 2 t) [[Brian S Johnston|Brian Johnston]] <br> ('''4''' - 1 t) [[Noel Cleal]]
Line 97: Line 96:
|stadium = [[Lang Park]]
|stadium = [[Lang Park]]
|attendance = 16,559
|attendance = 16,559
|referee= Kevin Roberts<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game11.html State Of Origin - Game 3, 1984] at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|referee= Kevin Roberts<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game11.html State Of Origin - Game 3, 1984] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819231323/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game11.html |date=19 August 2007 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>
|manofmatch= [[Steve Mortimer]] }}
|manofmatch= [[Steve Mortimer]] }}


Mortimer inspired New South Wales to a 22-12 victory which avoided the embarrassment of a series whitewash and earned for himself the man of the match award.
Mortimer inspired New South Wales to a 22–12 victory which avoided the embarrassment of a series whitewash and earned for himself the man of the match award.


==Teams==
==Teams==

===New South Wales===
===New South Wales Blues===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
!width="125"|Position
|-
!width="125"|Game 1
⚫
! style="width:150px;"|Position
!width="25" |
!width="125"|Game 2
! style="width:150px;"|Game 1
! style="width:150px;"|Game 2
!width="25" |
!width="125"|Game 3
! style="width:150px;"|Game 3
!width="25" |
|-
|-
! Fullback
! Fullback
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|size=16}} [[Garry Jack]]
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Garry Jack]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Eric Grothe, Sr.]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Eric Grothe, Sr.]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Steve Morris]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Steve Morris (rugby league)|Steve Morris]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Steve Ella]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Steve Ella]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Andrew Farrar]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Andrew Farrar]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Chris Mortimer]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Chris Mortimer]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Brett Kenny]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Brett Kenny]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Brian S Johnston|Brian Johnston]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Brian S Johnston|Brian Johnston]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Ross Conlon]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Ross Conlon]]
|-
|-
! Five-Eighth
! Five-eighth
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Alan Thompson (rugby league)|Alan Thompson]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Alan Thompson (rugby league)|Alan Thompson]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Terry Lamb]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Terry Lamb]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Brett Kenny]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Brett Kenny]]
|-
|-
! Halfback
! Halfback
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Peter Sterling]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Peter Sterling (rugby league commentator)|Peter Sterling]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Steve Mortimer]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Steve Mortimer]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Steve Mortimer]] (c)
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Steve Mortimer]] (c)
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|size=16}} [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Steve Roach (rugby league)|Steve Roach]]
|-
|-
! Hooker
! Hooker
| colspan="2" | [[Rex Wright]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Country|16}} [[Rex Wright]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Penrith|size=16}} [[Royce Simmons]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Old Penrith|16}} [[Royce Simmons]]
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Craig Young]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Craig Young (rugby league)|Craig Young]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Peter Tunks]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Peter Tunks]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second row
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Noel Cleal]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Noel Cleal]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second row
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|size=16}} [[Wayne Pearce]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Wayne Pearce]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Chris Walsh (rugby league)|Chris Walsh]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Chris Walsh (rugby league)|Chris Walsh]]
|-
|-
! Lock
! Lock
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Ray Price (rugby footballer)|Ray Price]] (c)
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Peter Wynn]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Peter Wynn]]
|-
|-
⚫
| colspan="4" |
! Replacement
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|size=16}} [[Brian Hetherington]]
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Steve Ella]]
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Mick Potter]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Replacement
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Illawarra|16}} [[Brian Hetherington]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} [[Peter Tunks]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Steve Ella]]
⚫
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Mick Potter]]
|-
! Interchange
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[Pat Jarvis (rugby league)|Pat Jarvis]]
⚫
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Peter Tunks]]
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
|-
! Coach
! Coach
| colspan="6" | [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[Frank Stanton (rugby league)|Frank Stanton]]
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Balmain|16}} [[Frank Stanton (rugby league)|Frank Stanton]]
|-
|}
|}


===Queensland===
===Queensland Maroons===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
!width="125"|Position
!width="125"|Game 1
!width="25" |
!width="125"|Game 2
!width="25" |
!width="125"|Game 3
!width="25" |
|-
|-
⚫
! style="width:150px;"|Position
⚫
! Fullback
! style="width:150px;"|Game 1
⚫
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Colin Scott (rugby league)|Colin Scott]]
! style="width:150px;"|Game 2
! style="width:150px;"|Game 3
|-
⚫
! Fullback
⚫
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Colin Scott (rugby league)|Colin Scott]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Kerry Boustead]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Kerry Boustead]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[John Ribot]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[John Ribot]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Chris Close]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Chris Close]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
|-
|-
! Centre
! Centre
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Gene Miles]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Gene Miles]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Brett French]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Brett French]]
|-
|-
! Wing
! Wing
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Chris Close]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Chris Close]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Kerry Boustead]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Kerry Boustead]]
|-
|-
! Five-Eighth
! Five-eighth
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Wally Lewis]] (c)
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Wally Lewis]] (c)
|-
|-
! Halfback
! Halfback
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Mark Murray (rugby league)|Mark Murray]]
| colspan="2" | [[Image:Norths Devils colours.svg|16x16px]] [[Ross Henrick]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Norths Devils|16}} [[Ross Henrick]]
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
Line 220: Line 221:
|-
|-
! Hooker
! Hooker
| colspan="6" | [[Image:Norths Devils colours.svg|16x16px]] [[Greg Conescu]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Widnes|16}} [[Greg Conescu]]
|-
|-
! Prop
! Prop
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts Manly)|Dave Brown]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Dave Brown (rugby league, born 1957)|Dave Brown]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second row
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Bryan Niebling]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Bryan Niebling]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|size=16}} [[Chris Phelan]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Chris Phelan]]
|-
|-
! Second Row
! Second row
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Wally Fullerton-Smith]]
| colspan="6" | {{leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|16}} [[Wally Fullerton Smith]]
|-
|-
! Lock
! Lock
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Manly|size=16}} [[Paul Vautin]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Paul Vautin]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
| colspan="4" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
|-
|-
| colspan="4" |
! Replacement
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Brett French]]
⚫
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
⚫
| colspan="2" | [[Bob Kellaway]]
|-
|-
! Interchange
! Replacement
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|size=16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Wynnum-Manly|16}} [[Brett French]]
| colspan="4" | [[Image:Wests Panthers Colours.svg|16x16px]] [[Tony Currie (rugby league)|Tony Currie]]
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
⚫
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Bradford|16}} [[Bob Kellaway]]
|-
! Interchange
⚫
| colspan="0" | {{leagueicon|Souths Magpies|16}} [[Bob Lindner]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Wests Panthers|16}} [[Tony Currie (rugby league)|Tony Currie]]
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
|-
! Coach
! Coach
| colspan="6" | [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Arthur Beetson]]
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Arthur Beetson]]
|-
|}
|}


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==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|40em}}
* ''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


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{{State of Origin}}
{{State of Origin}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1984 State Of Origin Series}}
[[Category:State of Origin series]]
[[Category:Rugby League State of Origin]]
[[Category:1984 in Australian rugby league|State of Origin series]]
[[Category:1984 in rugby league|State of Origin]]
[[Category:1984 in Australian sport|State of Origin]]
[[Category:Rugby league matches]]

Revision as of 00:23, 1 July 2024

1984 State of Origin series
Won by Queensland (3rd series title)
Series margin2–1
Points scored91
Attendance79,309 (ave. 26,436 per match)
Top points scorer(s) Ross Conlon (18)
Top try scorer(s) Kerry Boustead (4)

The 1984 State of Origin series was the third time the annual three-game series between the representative rugby league football teams of New South Wales and Queensland was played entirely under "state of origin" selection rules. With Queensland wrapping up the series in the first two matches it produced the first dead rubber finish and an infamous opening minute brawl in game II.

Game I

The New South Wales attitude to State of Origin had changed somewhat for the 1984 series, with the Blues squad being excused from their club duties the weekend prior to the first match and undergoing an intensive training camp, signalling the NSWRL's commitment to taking the series seriously.[1] Canterbury-Bankstown halfback Steve Mortimer was originally selected as the Blues halfback, but withdrew with a hamstring injury. Mortimer later confirmed he had actually faked the injury as he wasn't happy with the selection of long-time rival Peter Sterling on the bench. Mortimer felt that with Sterling's Parramatta team mate Ray Price as team captain, he would not have a voice or be able to run the team on the field as he wished to. Sterling was elevated to the starting line up after Mortimer's withdrawal with St George's Brian Hetherington selected as the reserve back.

Tuesday, 29 May 1984[2]
Queensland 29–12 New South Wales
(12 - 3 t) Kerry Boustead
(4 - 1 t) Paul Vautin
(5 - 1 t, 1 fg) Wally Lewis
(4 - 1 t) Gene Miles
(4 - 2 g) Mal Meninga 		(Report)
 Ross Conlon (8 - 4 g)
Noel Cleal (4 - 1 t)
Lang Park
Attendance: 33,662
Referee: Kevin Roberts[3]
Player of the Match: Wally Lewis

Queensland were motivated by the announcement that New South Wales coach Frank Stanton had been appointed as Australian national coach for the upcoming Ashes series against Great Britain. Queensland's own coach and favoured Origin son, Arthur Beetson was being dumped in favour of Stanton and notwithstanding that Stanton was merely returning to the helm having previously steered the national side on two triumphant Kangaroo tours, the Maroons were keen to avenge the honour of Beetson who had been dumped as Australian coach following the Kangaroos 19–12 loss to New Zealand at Lang Park in 1983.

The Maroons won the match 29–12 with Manly-Warringah winger Kerry Boustead achieving the rare Origin honour of scoring three tries. Mal Meninga had a poor night with the boot, only kicking two goals from eight attempts. It was rumoured that this ultimately cost him a place in the Australian team for the first Ashes test with NSW goalkicking winger Ross Conlon winning a spot on the wing.

Game II

Tuesday, 19 June 1984[4]
Queensland 14–2 New South Wales
(4 - 1 t) Greg Dowling
(4 - 1 t) Gene Miles
(6 - 3 g) Mal Meninga 		(Report)
 Ross Conlon (2 - 1 g)
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 29,088
Referee: Barry Gomersall[5]
Player of the Match: Wally Lewis

Game II was played on a cold and wet night that saw almost 30,000 cram into the Sydney Cricket Ground, signalling that the New South Wales public had finally embraced the Origin concept. The mud, rain and tolerant eye of referee Barry Gomersall combined to form an explosive mix. Progress was arduous in the SCG quagmire and handling almost impossible.

Blues prop Steve Roach triggered an all-in brawl in the second tackle of the match with players trading blows for more than a minute afterwards in three separate melees. The sight of Chris Close, his jumper torn off, going blow-for-blow with New South Wales lock Ray Price became an enduring Origin image. When order was finally restored, Gomersall merely awarded a penalty against the Blues (which he had already called just as the fight started) and allowed play to continue.

Both sides dug in for a slogging defensive contest and not surprisingly, when Gomersall called a halt for half-time, neither side had scored. So bad were conditions, Blues second-rower Noel Cleal attempted a line drop out only for the ball to stick in the gluey mud and trickle a metre forward. In contrast, Wally Lewis had earlier kicked a drop out some 40 metres downfield which drew a glare from Gomersall, especially as a quarter line drop out from Lewis just 10 minutes into the game had barely travelled 10 metres. Lewis later admitted that he had distracted Gomersall by calling for his team to stay onside. When Gomersall looked away to check, Lewis kicked the ball but caught it before it hit the ground. The deadlock was only broken when Mal Meninga landed a penalty goal. shortly afterwards Queensland prop Greg Dowling scored a memorable Origin try. Lewis had been peppering the New South wales line with his searching kicks and chipped ahead, aiming for the in-goal area. In a moment of good fortune for the Maroons the ball struck the cross-bar and Dowling who had been following through, took an extraordinary catch on his finger tips centimetres from the rain soaked ground and plunged across the line in a splash of mud to score and give Queensland an 8–0 lead.[6]

The Blues responded with a penalty goal to winger Ross Conlon reducing the Queensland lead to a converted try but when Maroon centre Gene Miles powered his way over the line from dummy half, the Queensland lead extended to 14–2 and there was no way back for the Blues.

Game III

With the series decided in Sydney, game III at Lang Park became a dead-rubber but was significant for the selection of Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Steve Mortimer as captain of New South Wales for the first time after Ray Price had elected to stand down from representative football following the third Ashes Test.

New South Wales selectors took the opportunity to blood a number of young players for the first time like Chris Mortimer, Pat Jarvis and Peter Wynn who along with Mortimer would play dominant roles in the Blues revival of 1985.

Tuesday, 17 July 1984[7]
New South Wales 22–12 Queensland
(10 - 5 g) Ross Conlon
(8 - 2 t) Brian Johnston
(4 - 1 t) Noel Cleal 		(Report)
 Kerry Boustead (4 - 1 t)
Bob Lindner (4 - 1 t)
Mal Meninga (4 - 2 g)
Lang Park
Attendance: 16,559
Referee: Kevin Roberts[8]
Player of the Match: Steve Mortimer

Mortimer inspired New South Wales to a 22–12 victory which avoided the embarrassment of a series whitewash and earned for himself the man of the match award.

Teams

New South Wales Blues

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Garry Jack
Wing Eric Grothe, Sr. Steve Morris
Centre Steve Ella Andrew Farrar Chris Mortimer
Centre Brett Kenny Brian Johnston
Wing Ross Conlon
Five-eighth Alan Thompson Terry Lamb Brett Kenny
Halfback Peter Sterling Steve Mortimer Steve Mortimer (c)
Prop Steve Roach
Hooker Rex Wright Royce Simmons
Prop Craig Young Peter Tunks Pat Jarvis
Second row Noel Cleal
Second row Wayne Pearce Chris Walsh
Lock Ray Price (c) Peter Wynn
Interchange Brian Hetherington Steve Ella Mick Potter
Interchange Pat Jarvis Peter Tunks
Coach Frank Stanton

Queensland Maroons

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Colin Scott
Wing Kerry Boustead John Ribot
Centre Mal Meninga Chris Close Mal Meninga
Centre Gene Miles Brett French
Wing Chris Close Mal Meninga Kerry Boustead
Five-eighth Wally Lewis (c)
Halfback Mark Murray Ross Henrick
Prop Greg Dowling
Hooker Greg Conescu
Prop Dave Brown
Second row Bryan Niebling Chris Phelan
Second row Wally Fullerton Smith
Lock Paul Vautin Bob Lindner
Interchange Brett French Bob Lindner Bob Kellaway
Interchange Bob Lindner Tony Currie
Coach Arthur Beetson

See also

Sources

  1. ^ Gallaway, Jack (2003). Origin: Rugby league's greatest contest 1980 - 2002. University of Queensland Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0-7022-3383-8.
  2. ^ 1984 State of Origin game 1 Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
  3. ^ State Of Origin - Game 1, 1984 Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine at stats.rleague.com
  4. ^ 1984 State of Origin game 2 Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
  5. ^ State Of Origin - Game 2, 1984 Archived 15 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine at stats.rleague.com
  6. ^ "State of Origin - 1980s". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Digital. 27 April 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
  7. ^ 1984 State of Origin game 3 Archived 4 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
  8. ^ State Of Origin - Game 3, 1984 Archived 19 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine at stats.rleague.com
  • Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney
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