'Time to bring the shield home': Blues vow to end Origin drought

Westpac NSW Blues stars have vowed to end Queensland’s recent domination of Women’s State of Origin and celebrate their first series win in front of a big home crowd at Allianz Stadium next Thursday night.

The Blues have not won the State of Origin Shield since the concept expanded to a series in 2023 and after winning the opening match 32-12 NSW players know only too well how desperate the Maroons will be to keep the series alive.

NSW were in the same position last year after winning first up at Suncorp Stadium but a late Lauren Brown field goal in Game II in Newcastle ensured the series was decided in Townsville and Queensland triumphed 22-6.

“It honestly means a lot to all of us, it’s been spoken about a lot how Queensland have got the last couple of games and how we are not going to let it go easily, so this is our year to get it back,” Blues utility Jocelyn Kelleher told NRL.com after being named on the bench for Origin II.

“Queensland have had the Shield for the last couple of years, but I think it is time to bring it back to NSW.

“That’s the dream, that’s what we are trying to do. Obviously, you want to win every Origin game that you can so we are going for all three, but Queensland aren’t going to let it go easily and we know they will come out firing.

“It’s Origin and anything can happen, but we are definitely aiming to win the series in two games this time.”

Blues winger Jayme Fressard said the team had taken a lot of confidence from their win in Brisbane but were prepared for the Maroons to come out firing in Sydney.

“I haven’t been involved in the team the last few years, but I am super keen to rip in, I know all of the girls are, and I know our fans will be super excited for us to get that win,” Fressard said.

“I think there is still room for improvement from the last game, which is exciting - knowing that we can go out there and still have things to work on - and I definitely think we can wrap up the series next game if we can make those improvements and work hard for each other.

“I think it would be pretty special if we can do that, especially in front of our home crowd in NSW and here in Sydney.”

The Sydney Roosters premiership winners were among four NSW Origin debutants in Brisbane, along with Sharks prop Ellie Johnstone and Eels fullback Abbi Church.

It was the first time that the quartet had experienced a hostile Queensland crowd at Suncorp Stadium, and they are looking forward to playing in front of a sea of blue at Allianz Stadium next Thursday night.

Kelleher called on NSW fans to help break the Women’s Origin attendance record of 26,022 set in Brisbane in the series opener.  

“The girls’ game is growing massively, and we are one game down and have already broken a record, so hopefully we can get a good home crowd,” Kelleher said.

“Hopefully there will be a lot of Blues fans in the house this time instead of Queensland fans, and we can create a massive atmosphere here.