stopping nsw whinging

[Ken Gargett]

yes, i know - impossible. but for all the bitching about thaat great queenslander, greg inglis, playing for us, take a look at this.

Queensland led Trent Hodkinson down State of Origin path to New South Wales Blues

• NEW Blues halfback Trent Hodkinson has been revealed as a committed Queenslander who once inflicted misery on New South Wales.

Hodkinson’s man-of-the-match performance for Queensland Residents in 2009 was inspired by a Wally Lewis pre-game speech that preached the importance of respecting the Maroon jersey.

Next Wednesday night, Hodkinson will try to bring down the state he once starred for in one of the great Origin anomalies.

Despite New South Wales’ relentless conspiracy claims around Greg Inglis, Origin rookie Hodkinson was actually made in Queensland. His footballing skills were developed during a season for Sunshine Coast in 2009.

He steered the Sea Eagles to an Intrust Super Cup premiership that year alongside Blues backrower Tony Williams, who played five-eighth in their grand final triumph.

TATE CAN’T GIVE ORIGIN A FLICK PASS

Trent Hodkinson posing for his Queensland Residents team photo Source: Supplied

Hodkinson’s form surged after the Residents game and he has overcome career-threatening injuries to flourish for Canterbury.

“Trent was committed to the Queensland cause,’’ former Sea Eagles chief executive Justin Veivers said.

“He is a very talented player and he found his feet at the Sea Eagles.

“We were last around the start of the year but when Trent got some form in the back half we went on a run.

“He was on fire that night for Queensland and then he played really well for us.’’

IT’S OFFICIAL: NEW HALVES FOR THE BLUES

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Wearing a Queensland tracksuit saved Hodkinson from physical harm in 2009 after he led the Residents to a 34-6 thrashing of the James Maloney-led NSW team.

The Residents game was the curtain-raiser for the infamous Game III Origin brawl at Suncorp Stadium when Brett White knocked out Steve Price.

Hodkinson watched the fight erupt from the stands, dressed in Queensland gear.

I ALMOST GAVE FOOTY AWAY: HODKINSON

Hodkinson Queensland Residents team photo Source: Supplied

As the crowd bayed for Blue blood and fights erupted around him, Hodkinson stayed relaxed knowing his Queensland emblem would protect him.

“He actually said to me after the game that he was glad he was wearing a Queensland tracksuit because he might have been in trouble otherwise,” Veivers said.

The coach of that game was ex-Burleigh mentor Paul Bramley, who said Hodkinson was wowed by Lewis’ pre-game lecture.

“Wally was great for us that night. It was one of the best speeches,’’ Bramley said.

“He spoke about how special Lang Park was and why wearing a Maroon jersey was so important and the history that they had to respect.

“Trent was our man of the match and I had an inkling at the time that he would become something special.’’