Since 1980, State of Origin rugby league has been a treasure trove of remarkable stories.

They involve mateship, resilience, winning against the odds. Pain, refusal to quit. Underdogs triumphing in the face of doubt. The most romantic elements of sport.

Stories of Origin features Origin greats Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Paul Vautin, Wally Lewis, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Greg Inglis, Ricky Stuart, Ben Ikin, Chris Close and many more. The podcast series taps into their experiences and unwraps new angles on their Origin careers.

You’ll hear some classic yarns from on the field and inside the dressing sheds. It is compulsory listening for any sports fan.

The first episode is available Friday 13 May 2022.

A Wide World of Sports and 9Podcasts production.

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Welcome to Stories of Origin, a podcast series that explores the rich history of NSW V QLD in the words of the warriors themselves.

We start our series at the beginning of the modern origin format. The birth of Origin.

In 1980, The Queenslander’s were sick of New South Wales stealing their players so they got them back for a one-off game in 1980. 42 years later, it’s never been bigger!

You’ll hear from The King - Wally Lewis, Paul Vautin and passionate Queenslander Chris Close. They talk about the passion instilled in the Maroons jersey and the growth of the interstate battle to the juggernaut it is today.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith are the two best players of their generation.

On this episode of Stories of Origin, they sit down together to discuss their remarkable state careers.

Smith played a record 42 origin games for QLD. He was the key player in the Maroons remarkable dynasty.

Johns is regarded as the Blues greatest ever player. He is rugby league’s 8th immortal.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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Between 2006 and 2013, Queensland enjoyed the greatest winning stretch Origin has ever seen.

They won 11 of 12 series - including eight in a row from 2006.

But it was a dynasty that almost didn’t happen. And had it gone the other way, some of the states greatest players may have suffered a premature end to their time in Maroon.

This is the story of The Dynasty featuring Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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In the first 12 years of modern Origin, QLD won 9 series.

NSW needed a circuit breaker.

In 1992, they called on a man who, in his first four years as a first-grade coach, had been to three grand finals - for two wins, the first of those in his debut season.

Could Phil Gould replicate his club success on rugby league’s greatest stage?

On this episode of Stories of Origin, the godfather of NSW rugby league, Phil Gould.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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Here’s the scenario.

It’s an origin decider in front of a full house.

12-all - 90 seconds to play.

Your state needs a matchwinner!

Who stands up?

The very best footballers rise in the clutch.

On this episode of The Stories of Origin, we talk to the greatest talisman Origin has produced, Jonathan Thurston.

He relives his greatest match-winning plays and outlines the extent of his sheer hard work and will to win.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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1995 was the height of the Super League war.

As a tactic to fight back against News Limited, the ARL ‘overlooked’ players who’d committed to the breakaway competition from representative selection.

And so it was, Queensland entered camp with an unrecognisable squad and a rookie coach, Paul Vautin.

They couldn’t beat a New South Wales team still bursting with international talent. Could they?

In this episode of Stories of Origin we examine how Paul Vautin’s team of no-name Maroons did the impossible.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

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On this episode of Stories of Origin, we go inside NSW camp for an exclusive interview with Blues coach Brad Fittler.

Hosted by Mathew Thompson.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.