NRL News
Legends Of Origin Thriller Post by: Dave-O 27 January, 2011 - 11:37 PM
(Photo: Getty Images)
What a game! In true State Of Origin fashion the inaugural Legends Of Origin match went right down to the wire with the Maroons staving off a late comeback to beat the Blues 20-16 to take out the Jordan Rice Shield.
The Legends Of Origin was a fundraiser - organised by Mark "MG" Geyer from Triple M Sydney's The Grill Team - for the victims of the Queensland floods with a sell out crowd of 20,000 mad footy fans packing Parramatta Stadium to see former Origin greats turn back the clock.
The match was played over 15-minute quarters with Maroons legends like Gorden Tallis, Mal Meninga, Wendell Sailor and Blues counterparts like Brad Fittler, Ben Elias and, of course, "MG" getting stuck into it like it was only yesterday.
It was a great game that went from end-to-end and side-to-side but what everyone really loved was how intense the game was. Everyone was up for it with some old rivalries re-kindled.
There was no biffo or cry of "cattle-dog" but there were still some big hits. Blues legend Mario Fenech was on the receiving end of a bell-ringer from Maroons hard-man Kevin Campion, while Blues halfback Brett Kimmorley copped a shiner and team-mate Greg Alexander a split lip.
Indeed, there were some sore and sorry bodies in the sheds after the game. "I'm sorer now than any Origin I played, probably because I haven't done fitness for eight years. I didn't think you could pull cellulite," laughed superstar Gorden Tallis after the game.
But in the end the players and crowd loved every minute of it - and while the Maroons may have won, all the fans were cheering the incredible $380,000 raised for the Queensland Flood Appeal.
Leave your comment
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daniel greenaway says
awsome game , what a night
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 12:09 AM -
David Rolfe says
I would like to Thank Mark Geyer for organizing the legends game. It was excellent that he managed to arrange it all in a very short time. Getting all the players and then to promote the game as well. Great job mate it would be nice for the legends to play yearly from now on.
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 1:19 AM -
dimitri says
it was awesome to see some players that i grew up watching on t.v ... never, untill now, had i seen them in reality ... playing.
we jumped off our chairs many times, and it was exciting to watch live!!! a game i won't forget ... and old hero's still as champions.
the score wasn't in our favour, but we loved every minute. My parents also loved it too...feeling the action and having a ball.
mixed cultures, all together as one, helping our country stand strong again. Proud to be part of it.thanks MG and MMM
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 1:51 AM -
Lisa Stoddart says
MG what a cracker of a night! Absolutely legendary that you could get that all planned in only a week or so. Great work to you and all the team behind you. Fantastic line up of players, was great to witness and nice to see they still had it. Freddys step is still as lethal as always! Great, great idea and hopefully we raised a motza! Awesome way to kick off the footy season for 2011. Go the storm! :-)
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 7:02 AM -
brian ball says
Congratulations Mark on your putting together one of the most entertaining games of league I have seen in a long time. It is a credit to you and all those who played and were involved in the organising of the game last night. I thought it was played in the spirit that it was meant to be despite Andrew Simmons. Although I think the game was a journey in nostalgia for most of us viewers it just great to sit back and watch the comardaree between the players and the mutual respect for each other. Once again Mark, Congratulations.
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 7:12 AM -
Josh Raymond says
MG, Last night was great, but mate they will have to put you in a museum next to Phar Lap cause mate you have a bigger ticker than that bloody horse,this would be a better place with more blokes like you. Top Job!!!
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 8:13 AM -
Nikki says
Great Game - was awesome to see the guys back in action. Only gripe - what was with closing off the parking at the stadium for media and players? Parramatta turned into a carpark and we were left walking kms after the game just to get back to the car. A little warning would have been good!
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 8:24 AM
Again GREAT GAME! THANK YOU!! -
Harry Wombat says
Think MG did a great job and might have stumbled on how to get NSW back on the winning dais. Make the players pay for their spots in the team.. Who scored the first try for NSW!!!
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 8:56 AM -
simon says
saw game on mmm website. great game. wish it was on free to air tv. great effort to raise money QLD.
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 9:13 AM -
Danny Obrien says
What a great way to raise money. My family & I had a great time last night. The only down side was that the PA system in the eastern stand was not working so we struggled to hear all the commentary. A great big wrap for MG & all the guys for the hard work they put in last night I am sure there are some sore bones today. Last nights game took me back in time. You guys sure are legends. We even cheered for Qld at times. Bring on next years game.
Posted Friday 28 January, 2011 9:18 AM
