KIERSTEN DUKE: NSW Blues can make State of Origin history with 3-0 series win over Queensland

The Blues have already won the series and are primed to secure a historic State of Origin three-peat tomorrow night.

NSW dominated the first two games of the series, proving themselves against Queensland in Brisbane before winning convincingly in slippery conditions at Allianz Stadium.

On Thursday night, the Blues will aim to complete the whitewash at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.

With the Hunter Valley region devastated by recent floods, it’s sure to give NSW the motivation they need to deliver a memorable victory for their home crowd.

The girls have well and truly set the standard for their male counterparts to follow when they take on the Maroons in hostile territory tonight for their series opener.

The motivation to deliver the first-ever 3–0 clean sweep is high in just the second year of Women’s Origin being a three-match contest instead of two.

While Queensland are playing for pride, NSW are playing for a slice of history.

To put into context how impressive this would be: it took the NSW men’s team five years before they first swept the Maroons in 1986.

So not only would the girls be making history, but they’d also be beating the boys’ record for how quickly they achieved it.

Last year’s game in Newcastle attracted a then-record Origin crowd of 25,782 despite torrential rain.

That number was surpassed in this year’s Origin opener, which drew an impressive 26,022 fans to Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues need no reminding of their 11–10 loss in Newcastle last year and will be keen to avenge that defeat at McDonald Jones Stadium.

They’re also hoping fans in Newcastle and surrounding areas will turn out in force and break the record crowd set at Suncorp in Game I. The competition between NSW and QLD never ends!

As the region continues to recover from the floods, the NSW girls hope the game can bring a smile to the faces of those affected and offer a welcome distraction.

Superstar forward Yasmin Clydsdale knows all too well how bad the floods have been. She and her husband Adam have a farm near Scone in the Hunter Valley and haven’t been able to reach their cattle due to the creek being so high.

NSW prop Ellie Johnston is from a town near Forster. She’s been fortunate not to be impacted by the floods that have wreaked havoc on the Mid North coast. The 24-year-old scored a try on debut at Suncorp and will be eager to cross the line again tomorrow night.

While the effects of the floods will be felt for months or even years to come, it’s widely hoped that Thursday’s game can offer a little reprieve to those suffering.

Newcastle is a great stadium for country footy and gives people in small towns like Tamworth, Taree and Port Macquarie a chance to see a big game.

Local hero Jesse Southwell knows firsthand how much the community relies on sport to get through tough times.

She might be just 20-years-old, but the halfback steered NSW to 32–12 and 26–6 victories in Origin Games I and II with her outstanding kicking game.

Thursday night’s game is shaping up to be one for the ages — with pride, history, and community all coming together.

You won’t want to miss it.