In the lead-up to the State of Origin decider, I sent the following text to Laurie Daley.

“Got your back mate. Go get what’s ours. Mateship – Spudd.”

He replied: “Thanks Spudd. Appreciate your support brother. Big week coming up and we will be ready. Cheers Loz.”

Talk about being ready!

The Blues pulverised those stinking Cane Toads and delivered arguably the biggest “up yours” in NSW Origin history.

The cocky Queenslanders thought they had this one in the bag and played like it.

Even Billy Slater admitted complacency may have played a part after the comfortable win in game two.

But big games are not won on talent alone.

Heart and desire plays a major role and the Blues had that in spades.

How good were the modern day “Bruise Brothers” Liam Martin and Hudson Young!

I called on them to terrorise the Maroons and they were relentless.

Cam Murray – one of my favourite players – kept the momentum going when he came on and Isaah Yeo produced a captain’s knock for the ages.

Nathan Cleary ended the bullshit talk that he can’t dominate Origin, Mitchell Moses’ right boot looked like it was packed with dynamite and centres Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton were class and mongrel combined.

In fact, there wasn’t a bad player in blue – and you can’t say the same thing about those wearing maroon.

Their key players were tormented from the get-go and didn’t want to know about it.

Forget about the controversial Best try – Queensland didn’t deserve to get within cooee of us.

They choked big time.

Their so-called Cauldron is about as intimidating as a kid’s playground.

We’ll play three games a year there if you like!

So, back to Loz.

The reason I sent that pre-game text was to let him know those who truly bleed blue were in his corner.

I felt for him as the pile on began after game one – even though we won – and only intensified after the Melbourne loss.

Some of the criticism was way over the top and those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

To hell with the haters.

Laurie had the last laugh and earned the perfect “drop mic” moment.

He can walk off stage with head held high after becoming just the third NSW coach to deliver two series wins.

Now, who should replace him?

I see sections of the media have picked up on my suggestion to change the rules on not using club coaches so we can bring Ivan Cleary onboard next year.

It’s a no-brainer and I’d be surprised if there weren’t conversations already underway to make it happen.

Ivan could easily handle Origin and club duties before taking the Blues on fulltime from 2028.

You know it makes sense.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Just what the hell is going on at West Tigers?

After they were talked up as genuine finals contenders following their 5-3 start to the season, the 2026 campaign is heading towards a cliff.

That insipid 32-6 loss to the Warriors at Campbelltown on Friday night leaves them 13th after eight defeats in their last 10 games.

The Tigers haven’t made the finals since 2011 and will again be watching on TV when the big games roll around in September.

In the salary cap era, not to make the play-offs for 15 years is laughable.

Now their marquee player – Jarome Luai - is being shown the door 12 months ahead of schedule.

Wasn’t he supposed to be their great saviour?

The player to build the club around and have them competing with the competition’s big boys?

Benji Marshall told us all was sweet when Luai signed with the PNG Chiefs for the 2028 season and beyond.

At the time, he said: “What he’s done in 18 months has only been positive and we get to make it positive for the next 18 months to actually get some more out of him before he takes this opportunity.

“I’ve got no ill feelings towards what he’s done or what he’s decided to do,”

You could have fooled me.

The coach is now apparently “off” his biggest star, not that I can entirely blame him.

I love a dollar as much as the next bloke.

But you know what I value even more – success and legacy.

I can’t help but feel Luai’s going to look back at the end of his career with a few regrets.

Yes, his bank account will ease the pain and he can always reflect on the four premierships he won at Penrith.

But by putting the almighty dollar ahead of all else, he’s lost something along the way.

His stint at the Tigers will be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

And now we’re hearing he’s going to have a one-year stopover at Parramatta – more than likely – before hoisting the Chiefs on his shoulders and ushering them into the NRL.

You can’t tell me he’s going to be able to focus on the rest of this season with all this turmoil going on.

And whoever gets him next year won’t have his full attention either as he prepares for the huge move to PNG.

Whichever way you paint it, Luai has some ground to make up if he’s to return to the superstar player we knew at Penrith.