Blues, Maroons and the Perth Showdown: State of Origin II Set to Shake the West
Alright, footy fans – all eyes are on Perth this Wednesday night as the State of Origin Game II lands at Optus Stadium. This isn’t just another match. It’s high stakes, big drama, and maybe – just maybe – the turning point in Origin history. Let me break it down for you like we’re sitting on the couch getting hyped together.
The Blues are rolling into this game full of confidence after dismantling the Maroons 18-6 in Game I. That one was in Queensland’s backyard – Suncorp Stadium, no less – so the pressure is now squarely on the Maroons to claw their way back into the series. It’s do-or-die for them. Lose in Perth, and it’s lights out for 2025.
And why Perth, you ask? Well, this is the neutral ground of the series, and it’s a venue the Blues absolutely love. They’ve played twice at Optus before – in 2019 and 2022 – and both times walked off the pitch with monster wins: 38-6 and 44-12. If you’re a Blues fan, that history feels very, very good. If you’re a Queenslander... not so much.
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Kick-off is locked in for 8:05pm AEST (that’s 6:05pm local time in Perth), and the broadcast is exclusive to Channel Nine and 9Now. ABC Radio will be giving us play-by-play if you’re more the listen-on-the-go type.
There are some big changes in the squads. Queensland coach Billy Slater made the shock call to drop Daly Cherry-Evans – the first Maroons captain to be cut mid-series in nearly three decades. Cameron Munster takes over the captaincy, celebrating his 20th Origin cap. Meanwhile, Tom Dearden gets the nod at halfback and Kurt Capewell makes a return.
NSW is rolling in with a couple of enforced changes too. Mitchell Barnett is out injured, so Max King gets the start up front, and Stefano Utoikamanu joins the squad. Matt Burton and Lindsay Smith are there on standby, ready to step in if needed. The Blues’ depth is looking solid, and they’ve got momentum.
But here’s the extra layer – NSW coach Laurie Daley is chasing a bit of redemption. Eleven years ago to the day – June 18, 2014 – Daley coached the Blues to their first series win in nearly a decade. That night, under the lights of Suncorp, with a late Trent Hodkinson try, was one for the ages. And here he is again, back at the helm, ready to try and spark a new dynasty.
For Queensland, Billy Slater’s also facing a critical moment. No Maroons coach has survived back-to-back series losses. This game isn’t just about pride or even the series – it could reshape both teams' futures.
So here we go. A sold-out Optus Stadium. Sixty thousand screaming fans. The Blues aiming for a stranglehold, the Maroons fighting for survival. This is what Origin is all about. Don’t blink.
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