When Lauren Brown sung the national anthem alongside her teammates under teaming rain at McDonald Jones Stadium, all the Maroons hooker could think about is how to win wet weather footy.
She was taken back to the 2020 Grand Final win with the Broncos, where alongside Maroons teammates Ali Brigginshaw and Tamika Upton, they ground out a gritty victory at Accor Stadium.
And it was Brown’s experience and composure that stood tall in the 69th minute with the Gold Coast star slotting a field goal to keep Queensland’s State of Origin series alive.
“I was actually thinking that when the anthems were going… ok we’ve played footy in weather like this before,” Brown said following her side’s 11-10 win over New South Wales.
“The last time it was that consistently wet and windy was the 2020 grand final when we played the Roosters and that was a really wet game which just makes it so heavy and slow in the middle.
“I was thinking we just had to stick to the basics and get in the grind.
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“When it's wet, you tighten up a little bit, pass the ball a couple extra steps before the line and don't push anything silly, just try completing your sets, kick it to a corner and just work your way down the field that way.
“I looked at the clock and I thought we probably won't get another set of six down here so if I've got to pull the trigger, it's got to be this set.
“To be honest, I'm surprised it bounced because the field was so wet and soggy. I can't believe it, I think I'm still dreaming.”
Recalled to the Maroons side after a year off in the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services academy, coach Tahnee Norris describes the 29-year-old as ‘the ultimate utility’ and ready for any situation.
And Brown was thankful for the extra goal kicking practice at training when it came time to pull the clutch for her side.
“I'll do two or three goal kicking sessions a week and at the end of the goal kicking session, I like to add in five or six field goals just in case, just keep practising getting them over,” she said.
“But it's actually better when there’s pressure because you just got less time and you just have to kick it. I had a goal in the last 12 months to work my bum off and try get back in the 17 and I’m glad it all paid off tonight.”
From the field: Brown
After watching her fellow Queenslanders take out the series in Townsville from inside the firefighter's academy last year, Brown was thrilled to get her chance to run out at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the decider on June 27.
“I was with all the boys in the academy, we like a dinner party and watched the game and we were all pumping up the girls," she said.
“But it just kind lit the fire in my belly to get back there and Townsville is going to be electric, those North Queenslanders are probably the most passionate rugby league supporters out there.
“So I'm really excited to see them show up in full support and I can guarantee they'll probably sell it out up there, they love their footy.”
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