Veteran Stephanie Hancock believes the time is right to retire from rep footy confident Queensland's generation next can restore the Maroons' Origin dominance.
Hancock called an end to her 16-year Queensland career immediately after the Maroons 24-18 win over NSW at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Friday night, capping her illustrious rugby league representative honours with a try from dummy half that helped seal a memorable victory and end a four-year interstate hoodoo.
"I'm calling stumps on Origin. We will see what happens [with the NRLW]," Hancock said.
"I will be happy to sit back now and just watch [Queensland]."
While it was her 16th appearance for Queensland, this was Hancock's first official "Origin" victory since the women's interstate game was rebranded in 2018.
It also means it was her first Origin try, equalling her father Rohan Hancock who also scored one try for Queensland in his 11-game Maroons career.
Hancock sells the big dummy
"It was a bloody good feeling. I got one up on my old man. My old man scored an Origin try so I think we're even," she said.
"I don't think in Origin I've ever scored a try from dummy-half.
"To be honest I didn't think they were going to be silly enough to fall for it.
"I don't even know what I was thinking … I just really needed a spell so if I can score a try here that gives me at least two minutes to get my breath back because I was struggling there for a bit."
Match Highlights: Maroons v Blues
It was an emotion-charged win for Hancock who only had to look around the euphoric changerooms after the game to realise how big the victory was for Queensland.
Coach Jason Hetherington gambled on nine debutants for the clash and his strategy paid huge dividends with fullback Tamika Upton and five-eighth Tarryn Aiken breaking the game wide open with their speed and elusive running.
Hancock is in awe at how the rookies handled the occasion and is confident the future is bright for Queensland now their new stars have a taste of success.
"I will never forget playing my first Origin and knowing what that winning feeling was like," she said.
"We usually just blood two or three players but to have nine debutants in a Queensland women's team hasn't been a thing for a few years so I'm so happy for all these kids like Tarryn Aiken and Tamika Upton and they were the stars of the show tonight in my opinion.
Brigginshaw and Hancock lift shield
"It's just so good to see them in there celebrating coming off the back of the Broncs' [NRLW premiership] as well. It is special for these young ones.
"I'm so proud of the whole bloody team to be honest.
"It's been a few years since knowing what this feeling is like so to do it especially back at home I'm so happy nine debutants got to experience what it's like to win an Origin.
"Honestly it's the best feeling ever."
