Stories of Origin - Cam Smith's Favourite Origin: Against All Odds
6/7/202631 min
No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith.
Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history.
But when asked to choose his favourite Origin, Smith doesn't go back to the beginning. He picks 2017.
It was a series that seemed destined for New South Wales after a crushing Game One victory in Brisbane against a Queensland side missing Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
Then came Thurston's unforgettable sideline conversion in Sydney despite a shattered shoulder. And finally, a decider in Brisbane that would become Smith's last ever game for Queensland.
In this episode of Stories of Origin, Cameron Smith relives the highs, the pressure, the leadership challenges and the moments that made the 2017 series his most memorable Origin campaign.
From adversity to triumph, this is the story of one of Queensland's greatest ever victories, told by the man who led it. Thanks to TAB
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRay Warren· Soundbite0:00
[dramatic music] Nine podcasts. Wally, it's hard to believe, uh, Queensland at home, underdogs, no Slater, Inglis, or Thurston. Is tonight the start of the end of that golden era?
Phil Gould· Soundbite0:14
When you take 88 games of Origin experience away from the Maroons, you've really gotta question whether they're still gonna have enough experience on the field.
Cameron Smith· Guest0:22
I'd never been a part of an Origin buildup quite like it. This is the biggest Origin in the game's history. Is this the time where Queensland fall over and it's New South Wales' time to start their dynasty?
Phil Gould· Soundbite0:38
I think this series has epitomized everything that we know about Origin football and come to love, and everything that Origin football has been built on. I don't think in the history of Origin has New South Wales been under more pressure to win a game of football. This was going to be their series to win. After a decade of dominance from the Queenslanders, their stars were getting older, some were missing, other players were missing through injury. They dominated game one, dominated the first half of game two. It was all going to script. And then in the Origin folklore, that Queensland spirit kicks back in, and through their own heart and determination, they fight back, level the series, and now we come here for a decider. New South Wales has always been able to deal with their football, they haven't always been able to deal with their heart, and that's what they're gonna have to battle here tonight. I think it's a huge, huge game for New South Wales. They will be devastated, devastated beyond anything they've ever experienced before, if they don't