Born and raised in Melbourne, State of Origin games aren't something I usually get the honour of witnessing in person, but this year marks the occasion when, once again, those south of the border get to see one of the greatest rivalries, not just in Australian sport, but globally, take place in the flesh.
Many great moments of players seizing the spotlight have helped form the state rivalry in one of Australia's biggest cities and this year promises not to disappoint in the slightest after the historic New South Wales (NSW) comeback win in Game 1.
NSW holds the bragging rights in Melbourne, winning a total of five times compared to Queensland's four wins. The Blues are holding a 4-1 record at the MCG, and the Maroons are having the better luck at Marvel Stadium with a 3-1 record.
But what are the moments in those nine games that took the Origin world by storm and that have cemented themselves in rugby history?
3. 2006 Origin 3 (Docklands)- Darren Lockyer intercept
With the Blues leading 14-10 with under seven minutes to go, everything looked to be in place to make it their fourth consecutive Origin Series win. Queensland legend Darren Lockyer had other ideas, as the Five-Eighth intercepted a wild Brett Hodgson pass off the ground to run it through 15 metres out and win it 14-16 for Queensland.
The series win was the first of the eight years of Queensland dominance in Origin that would follow without a Blues series win.
