Officially standing on its own two feet as a blockbuster match, the Origin rivalry is alive on the women’s side as well as the men’s, with NSW emerging victorious over Queensland.
In a tightly contested battle between the two states, it took a late Isabelle Kelly try to give the Sky Blues the win and see her take out the Nellie Doherty Medal.
Playing in front of a record crowd for a women’s Origin match, it would be Queensland who would assert their dominance early.
The opening try came through hard-running lock Destiny Brill who crashed over off a nice pass from Brittany Breayley-Nati.
Not a side to rest on their laurels, however, the Sky Blues would hit back soon after.
Emma Tonegato continued her impressive rise in the NRLW arena as she soared highest to take a perfectly weighted kick from Keeley Davis.
The momentum had now swung in the Sky Blues favour and they scored a second try courtesy of Kirra Dibb.
With both sides as committed as each other, the Maroons managed to cut the deficit when Tarryn Aiken showed a burst of speed to hustle over the line.
Two penalty goals put the Blues up 16-10 but the Maroons were not done.
Another fullback who has shone since her transition to the NRLW is Evania Pelite and she had another fine game for Queensland, this time in the centres, scoring a try to make things interesting.
However, in the big moments, you need your big players, and Kelly was there to provide for NSW and hand them a famous Origin win.
NSW coach Kylie Hilder says the win was one that was building for two years as every session and every minute they have spent together, the side has formed a stronger bond.
“We’ve been building towards this for two years,” Hilder said.
“The bond that we have, not just as a team but off the field as well, is really important and I think that showed when they came out on to the field.”
Maroons coach Tahnee Norris admits it was a rollercoaster of a game and she was shattered for her side that they fell just short.
“It was a rollercoaster and disappointing to come away with the loss,” Norris said.
“To see the girl put in so much effort, it really hurts.”