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?
2. 1990 Origin 2 (Olympic Park Stadium)- Ricky Stuart's first try
After breaking an eight-game losing streak to Queensland in Game 1, the Blues were keen to get their first series win in four years in front of a sell-out crowd of 25,800. Ricky Stuart stunned Australia and recorded his first Origin try in blistering fashion after intercepting a pass and then racing 70 metres across the ground, outpacing Queensland's Lee Kiss in the process before scoring.
Stuart would be awarded the Man of the Match for his efforts as New South Wales got the 12-6 victory to end Queensland's four-peat.
