NSW looking to win the 2024 Origin series at Suncorp
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Well, if you didn't know, Wednesday week there's a big game of footy on State of Origin 3. It is the decider at Suncorp Stadium. I'm pleased to say that New South Wales Blues coach Madge Maguire, Michael Maguire, is on the line for us. Madge, g'day. Good, Chris. How are you, mate? I'm alright, mate. How are you feeling about it all? Yeah, really good. Obviously, you know, off the back of...

what the boys have done through game one and game two and the feeling of the boys coming into camp. It's actually really nice to be back in camp with them and looking forward to grow this week and get our best performance in game three. Now, some question marks about Bradman Best. I know you brought him in, well, not under duress. I think that would be probably an unfair thing to say, but you were forced into making the change because of Latrell Mitchell's injury. But he's hamstring, Bradman Best. How is it?

Yeah, he's okay. We had a scan this morning. We've gone through all the due diligence that you do with players and we'll manage him a little early in the week. A little bit like most players at this time of year. But by the end of the week, he'll be up and going. So yeah, looking forward to having Bradman and what he showed in the Origin Arena in Game 3 last year and the way he's matured and grown this year. I think he's a really good fit for us.

Olukuatu out, Mitch Barnett in. Why? Yeah, big decision. But look, Mitch Barnett, he's shown that the way he's been playing and he can play probably a little bit more in the middle. So then that allows Liam Martin to sort of stay on the edge. But Mitch covers a bit more middle, I suppose, than edge as well. So I guess there's reasons there. But also, too, the way Mitch has been in and around camp and the way he's played over this last sort of

three to four weeks, he definitely deserves the opportunities to go out there. And, you know, with Hamoli, you know, he's learning at this level and growing. So, you know, I was very fortunate. I've got some good players here to pick from. You've had a crack at Gordie Tallis. He said that he's sitting in a glass house there with Billy Slater north of the border because Gordon Tallis wasn't very happy about the way that the Blues played in game one. Too aggressive from the Raging Bull. Never would have thought I heard it.

Yeah, well, I guess, you know, you go back in time and you look at what's happened in the past and people talk towards what's moving forward and I guess he's put it out there. So, mate, I make sure that I look after my players and, you know, I guess it's more we all look after each other and that's something there that, you know, we want to carry as a group into where we're going.

Can I ask about Stephen Crichton? He's just impressed me so much since he left the Panthers, went to Canterbury and just seeing him as a leader. Can you take us into camp and just tell us how important a player he is and a man that he is in that environment? Yeah, well, I obviously haven't had firsthand working with Stephen prior to the camp and look, he's impressed in everything he's done and I can understand the reasons why people talk about him and how he's going about things now.

But I'm pretty fortunate too that I've got quite a lot of leaders in amongst their clubs in the team. So it sort of allows him to just be himself and lead at this higher level of what he's learnt. But then he can just really focus on his role. So I think that's been really important. And when you come to a team like this where everyone is at the top of their game and they're playing their part, it simplifies your role. So it allows Steve to really just focus on what he's doing. And I think he's been doing that for us.

Now, did Queensland play poorly or did we play well? Oh, look, I'd like to think that we've grown as a group. You know, I think there's areas in our first game that we looked at and they took that into game two and they were able to make sure that they improved in areas. Look, or B, we had, you know, a really good first half. I think there's areas there in our game that we're definitely going to have a look at and go again. You know, I think there's so much more in this group in how they are as a group. And you've got to remember it's the first time that as a team

coaching group, playing group, being together for the first time that the more times you play the stronger you become and that's something there that we want to make sure that we capitalise on over this week and take that into game three. 13 deciders at Suncorp, New South Wales has won two. Why can this be the third side to do it? Yeah,

Well, I always say history is history, but you can actually create your own. And I think that's something there that this group, you know, is working hard towards. And I guess that's where this group sits, is that they have an opportunity now to move forward and do the things we just spoke about as a group, as a team, and, you know, build the memories that they have and what they want. So then, you know, in years to come, you know, everyone's going to be talking about this group. Mm-hmm.

unlike the 2005 side with Joey Johns, the 94 side with people like Paul Syrenen, you're talking about great sides, New South Wales sides. Do you think these guys are up to that level? Well,

Well, looking at our team, definitely. I mean, look at the players that I have. I think that's the starting point. I guess to put yourselves into that space that you just spoke about is that you need to get the wins along the way and that's something that this group's about and by doing that then everyone in years to come will talk about this group and all the great players that we do have because they are great players and it's something there that

And, you know, obviously, you know, taking this space in the blue jersey, which we've talked about all campaign to new heights, is what this group's about. Madge, nine days. You've got us all behind you. Good luck. Yeah, good on you. I really appreciate the support too from everyone. Good on you. That's Michael Madge-McGuire, coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team. 131873, do you like the changes? Can New South Wales do it? Give us a call.