Stories of Origin

Episoder

• Cameron Smith's Favourite Origin: Against All Odds 07.06.2026 31min

  No player has worn the Queensland jersey more times than Cameron Smith. Across 42 State of Origin appearances, Smith became the ultimate competitor, captain and match-winner, helping lead the Maroons through one of the most dominant eras in rugby league history. But when asked to choose his favourite Origin, Smith doesn't go back to the beginning. He picks 2017. It was a series that seemed destined for New South Wales after a crushing Game One victory in Brisbane against a Queensland side missing Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. Then came Thurston's unforgettable sideline conversion in Sydney despite a shattered shoulder. And finally, a decider in Brisbane that would become Smith's last ever game for Queensland. In this episode of Stories of Origin, Cameron Smith relives the highs, the pressure, the leadership challenges and the moments that made the 2017 series his most memorable Origin campaign. From adversity to triumph, this is the story of one of Queensland's greatest ever victories, told by the man who led it. Thanks to TABSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Danny Buderus’ Famous Decider 24.05.2026 28min

  Danny Buderus relives his favourite State of Origin memory, Game 3, 2005. From the heartbreak of Matt Bowen’s intercept in Game 1 golden point, to the return of Andrew Johns and captaining NSW to a famous 32-10 win at Suncorp.  At the time, nobody realised it would become the last Blues decider win in Brisbane for almost two decades. This is the story of a team that got knocked down, found belief again, and etched itself into Origin history. Thanks to TAB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The "Billy the Kid" Breakout 10.05.2026 31min

  The "Billy the Kid" Breakout: State of Origin Game 2, 2004 In this episode of Stories of Origin, host Matthew Thompson sits down with a true icon of the game, current Maroons coach and Queensland legend Billy Slater. Travel back to 2004, a year that cemented Slater's place in Origin folklore. We revisit the electric atmosphere of Suncorp Stadium and the moment that left the sporting world breathless: Slater’s legendary double chip-and-chase try. Join us as Billy reflects on the sheer instinct behind that iconic play, the magic of the 2004 series, and what it means to be part of the Maroons' enduring legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Nathan Cleary’s Masterclass 26.04.2026 26min

  He was at his lowest ebb - then he delivered perfection. Welcome to Season 5 of Stories of Origin. as we sit down with the true icons of the game to explore the single Origin match that defined their legacy. We are kicking off this series with a bang. Rugby league’s greatest player, Nathan Cleary, joins us to dissect his favourite Origin game: his absolute masterclass in game two of the 2022 series in Perth. It was a performance that silenced the critics and showcased the resilience required to thrive at this level. Nathan takes us inside the intense pressure of that series, revealing how he channelled the disappointment of a 16-10 home loss in game one - against a Queensland side inspired by the champion Cameron Munster, to orchestrate the defining high point of his Origin career. It’s an intimate, tactical, and honest look at what it takes to own the toughest arena in rugby league. Proudly brought to you by TAB.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Season 5 of Stories of Origin is here 23.04.2026 2min

  Season 5 of Stories of Origin is here, and we’re starting with a massive statement. After a stinging 16-10 loss in game one of the 2022 series - a result that left the Blues reeling and under immense pressure - Nathan Cleary faced the ultimate test of character. How did the game's greatest player bounce back to deliver one of the most clinical masterclasses in Perth? In our Season 5 premiere, hosted by Mathew Thompson and proudly brought to you by TAB, Nathan Cleary pulls back the curtain on his favourite Origin game. We explore the tactical brilliance, the pressure of the jersey, and the exact moment he turned a career low into his defining Origin performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Fatty’s Miracle: 30 Years Since Queensland’s Greatest Origin Upset 08.07.2025 31min

  It was 1995 - the height of the Super League war. As the ARL blacklisted players aligned with Super League, Queensland was left with a team of virtual unknowns and a first-time coach, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin. No one expected them to win. Facing a New South Wales side stacked with international stars, the Maroons were written off before a ball was kicked. But what happened next became legend. Three decades on, Stories of Origin revisits the year Fatty’s Neville nobodies delivered a clean sweep and redefined what it means to wear Maroon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: The Dream Decider 01.06.2025 25min

  Back in 1994, Phil Gould’s Blues stunned Queensland by winning a decider at Lang Park - a feat unmatched for nearly two decades. Then came Game 3, 2024. It was brutal. Tryless for over an hour. Every inch hard-fought. Then, with the series in the balance, Bradman Best crashed through - pure power, pure Origin. Madge’s Blues had done it again. History repeated. A dream decider. Featuring - Bradman Best, Ben Hunt, Phil Gould, Mark Geyer, Andrew Johns, Jonathan ThurstonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: Ben Hunt - Go Dozer! 25.05.2025 20min

  Lang Park. Suncorp Stadium. Call it what you like - it’s hallowed ground. The kind of place where Queensland legends are made. Where the spirit of Origin greats like Beetson, Jackson, and Tosser Turner lingers in the air. In this episode of Stories of Origin: Magic Moments, we rewind to Game 3, 2022 - a decider for the ages. With just under two minutes on the clock and the series on the line, New South Wales launch one last desperate raid… until Ben Hunt steps in. He’s not flashy. But he’s pure heart. And in that moment - with the GOAT Cam Smith watching on - the Dozer delivers. Queensland erupt. Suncorp explodes. The Maroons reclaim the shield. This is the story of Ben Hunt’s heroic Origin moment - and one of the greatest decider finishes we’ve ever seen. Go Dozer! Featuring Ben Hunt, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: Turvey Triumphant 18.05.2025 25min

  After five painful years of Maroon dominance, 1985 was the year New South Wales said “enough.” They turned to Canterbury’s fearless halfback Steve “Turvey” Mortimer - a man with blue blood and an unbreakable will - to lead the charge. From stirring pre-game speeches to that unforgettable chair-lift off the SCG, Mortimer’s passion and grit didn’t just win a series - he rewrote Origin history and brought the Blues their first ever series win. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta want it more. Featuring Laurie Daley, Mark Geyer, Andrew Johns, Peter Wynn, David Middleton and Roy Masters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: The Miracle Try 11.05.2025 21min

  If you need to understand Origin in just one moment, it’s the closing minutes of Game One, 1994. The Blues were cruising - 10 points up with 10 to play - until a wave of maroon belief swept the Sydney Football Stadium. Alfie Langer to Kevvy Walters, Michael Carne joins, Renouf streaks down the touchline, Hancock keeps it alive, Darren Smith inside, back to Alfie… BIG MAL sets the stage, and from nowhere Mark Coyne dives for the corner: “Queensland is never beaten!” In this episode of Stories of Origin, relive the chain‑reaction of passes that produced one of rugby league’s greatest tries and forged a mantra that still defines the Maroons. Hear first‑hand reflections on the pressure, the precision, and the pure Queensland spirit behind the Miracle Try - because when it’s Origin, it’s never over.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: Teddy's Match Winner 04.05.2025 20min

  A series decider at ANZ Stadium. The Blues teetered on the brink, heartbreak hanging over Homebush once more - until one breathtaking chain of passes rewrote Origin folklore. Relive the frantic final minute: Cordner to Murray, Pearce punching through the line, Trbojevic unleashing Ferguson on white-knuckle tippy-toes down the sideline, and - like lightning - James “Teddy” Tedesco diving over to clinch NSW’s first back-to-back crown since 2005. Buckle up for the play that stunned Queensland and carved Teddy’s name into Origin legend. Game 1 of the 2025 State of Origin series is live and exclusive on Nine & 9Now, Wednesday 28 May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Magic Moments: Arthur Beetson's Arrival 27.04.2025 22min

  In the 45th year of rugby league’s fiercest rivalry, Stories of Origin is back with its most emotional season yet - Magic Moments: As Voted By You, thanks to TAB. Across six epic episodes, fans chose the plays that made them shout, cry and believe again, and the legends who lived them tell every raw detail. We kick off where Origin itself began: Arthur Beetson’s thunderous return to Lang Park in 1980. A weary warrior summoned home, Beetson strapped on the captain’s armband and, in eighty unforgettable minutes, turned a fledgling concept into the greatest spectacle in Australian sport. Hear rare archival audio, inside-the-sheds reflections, and fresh insight from Wally Lewis, Phil Gould, Roy Masters and more as they relive the night one man’s pride and power put State of Origin on the map. Narrated by Mathew Thompson.  Game 1 of the 2025 State of Origin series is live and exclusive on Nine & 9Now, Wednesday 28 May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Get Ready for Magic - Stories of Origin Season 4 Starts April 28 18.04.2025 1min

  In the 45th year of rugby league’s fiercest rivalry, the Stories of Origin podcast returns with its most emotional series yet - Magic Moments: As Voted By You, thanks to TAB. From the unforgettable to the unbelievable, these are the moments that made you shout, cry, and believe again. Chosen by fans and told by legends, this six-part series takes you inside the most iconic plays in State of Origin history - straight from the mouths of those who lived them. From Arthur Beetson's thunderous first steps onto Lang Park in 1980 to Tedesco’s last-second heroics in 2019… From Coyne’s miracle try to Ben Hunt’s runaway redemption... hear rare and never-before-heard audio, raw behind-the-scenes reflections, and the emotion that makes Origin what it is - passion, pride, and power. Narrated by Mathew Thompson, featuring Wally Lewis, James Tedesco, Brad Fittler, Phil Gould, Ben Hunt, Roy Masters, Billy Slater, and more. Season 4 drops Monday April 28 on 9Now and wherever you get your podcasts. Game 1 of the 2025 State of Origin series - live and exclusive on Nine & 9Now, Wednesday May 28.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Alfie. The Larrikin and the Legacy 02.06.2024 17min

  Throughout the 1990’s, Allan Langer and Ricky Stuart engaged in an intense on-field rivalry. The star halfbacks of their respective club and state teams, the pair were virtually always opponents and locked into a perennial tussle to wear the Australian number 7 jersey. On this episode of Stories Of Origin, we explore the battle of Langer and Stuart and how is their relationship after years of on field combat? Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson.  Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.   Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Alfie & The Greatest Origin Comeback 26.05.2024 24min

  After a humiliating defeat in the 2000 State of Origin series, Queensland turned to legendary coach Wayne Bennett to restore state pride. Bennett's bold move to select an entirely new Maroons team paid off with a victory in the opening game of the 2001 series. However, the Blues fought back, leveling the series with a dominant performance in game two. With the decider looming, Queensland needed a spark. Enter Allan Langer. In this episode of Stories of Origin, we revisit the dramatic and unexpected return of Alfie Langer for the 2001 State of Origin. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson.  Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.   Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• St George Can't Play... Alfie and the Beginning of the Broncos 19.05.2024 25min

  Allan Langer’s playing legacy still looms large over the Broncos. The clubs Inaugural halfback in 1988 would become their first premiership captain in ‘92, a title they defended in ‘93. He’d go on to lead a team rated among the greatest club outfits ever assembled to the Super League premiership of ‘97, and in ‘98 they reigned supreme again in a reunited 20 team competition. It’s a career so profound that Langer is immortalised in bronze with his own statue at Lang Park alongside fellow QLD champions, Lewis, Lockyer, Beetson and Meninga. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson.  Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.   Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Kevvie & The King… Alfie’s Wingmen 12.05.2024 26min

  A Rugby League halfback is the beating heart of a football team, part drummer, part lead guitarist, but every seven needs a six.  In the case of Alan Langer, his illustrious wingmen are as much a part of his story as himself.  On this episode of Stories of Origin ‘Alfie’, we shine a light on Langer's leading men, playmaking champions Wally Lewis and Kevin Walters. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson. Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.  Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Six More Songs... the Making of Alfie. 28.04.2024 28min

  One of the smallest men to have played the game, ‘Alfie’ rose to become a giant figure of the sport. On episode one of Stories of Origin, Alfie, we go back to where it all began. The sports loving, blue collar Queensland city of Ipswich, which has played a significant part in developing champions of the state. And we explore a truly unique relationship. Alfie’s greatest supporter was actually a fellow number seven that was New South Wales to the core. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson. Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.  Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Stories of Origin - Season 3 Trailer 23.04.2024

  Episode 1 available Monday 29 April 2024. Allan Langer. The diminutive playmaking whiz who bamboozled and befuddled opponents for decades remains Queensland’s most capped halfback and revered as ever. Tough, tenacious and talented beyond all comprehension. This season Stories of Origin shines the spotlight on the career of the little number 7 that became a giant footballing figure. Stories of Origin ‘Alfie’ is available on 9Now and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Nine’s NRL Commentator Mathew Thompson.  Produced by 9Podcasts & Wide World of Sports.  Presented in partnership with Youi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• JT & Adam Mogg - An Unlikely Hero 28.05.2023 31min

  It can take just one play to make someone an Origin hero. In the case of Adam Mogg, his two games for Queensland are as significant as any. In 2006, State of Origin was in its 25th year. New South Wales was coming off its third straight series victory and there was growing concern about the long-term future of State of Origin, as many commentators were beginning to wonder if Queensland would ever win another series. Up step the Toowoomba product, Adam Mogg.  In this episode of Stories of Origin, Adam Mogg and Jonathan Thurston sit down to discuss the 2006 series, the adversity they had to overcome, and the unlikely hero that would help trigger a decade of Queensland dominance.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.