Men’s State of Origin Game 3 2026 - The Blues Vs The Maroons - 8:05pm Wednesday 8th July - Suncorp Stadium

[waynesworld]

Hopefully, NSWRL make a case to the NRL about rescinding the "No current club coaches" rule and makes a play for Ivan Cleary, who will only be at Penrith for one more season.

Otherwise, maybe Brad Arthur is interested in coming home?

But it's going to be Shane Flanagan, isn't it? Oh Well. At least those who wanted Nathan dropped will get their wish when Kyle gets his first Origin jumper.

I just can’t see a club coach, given how well they are remunerated wanting to invite the distraction that Origin coaching brings. Especially given it is going to be Ivan’s last year as coach at Penrith. I reckon it’ll be Matt King or Des Hasler on a one year deal.

 

[Joshhh]

Grant and Munster do tend to overplay they hand, Grant seems more intent in getting gotcha moments with the markers then consistently providing clean ball. Also watch in the game how many times Ponga tried to get into dummy half but was pushed out by Grant.

I've started to think this too recently. As good a player as Grant is, he tries to do too much sometimes I feel, he's a ball hog. Just pass the ball. Makes me appreciate Crossland more. Ponga catches a cold waiting around for Grant and Munster to throw him the ball.

 

[R_A]

That was one of Cameron Smith's strengths but he knew when and when not to dart out of dummy half, taking advantage of slow markers or weaker defenders, and never overplayed his hand.

 

[Die Hard]

Does Cleary now move into the immortal conversation now?


State of Origin: Wally Lewis Medal (2026) in a series decider in QLD and the Brad Fittler Medal (2020)
NRL Premierships: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Clive Churchill Medal: 2021, 2023.
Dally M Awards: Halfback of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
Penrith Panthers Awards: Merv Cartwright Medal (Club Best and Fairest) in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
RLPA Awards: The Players' Champion (2020) and Halfback of the Year (2020, 2021).
Mary Fowler

That last one itself brings him into immortality

 

[jamesgould]

I've started to think this too recently. As good a player as Grant is, he tries to do too much sometimes I feel, he's a ball hog. Just pass the ball. Makes me appreciate Crossland more. Ponga catches a cold waiting around for Grant and Munster to throw him the ball.

I don’t watch many Storm games, but last night it was like he’d gone down a rabbit hole trying to get set restarts at every chance. Definitely stalled their attack a few times.

 

[listo]

Does Cleary now move into the immortal conversation now?


State of Origin: Wally Lewis Medal (2026) in a series decider in QLD and the Brad Fittler Medal (2020)
NRL Premierships: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024.
Clive Churchill Medal: 2021, 2023.
Dally M Awards: Halfback of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
Penrith Panthers Awards: Merv Cartwright Medal (Club Best and Fairest) in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
RLPA Awards: The Players' Champion (2020) and Halfback of the Year (2020, 2021).
Mary Fowler

No

 

[Newygirl]

I don’t watch many Storm games, but last night it was like he’d gone down a rabbit hole trying to get set restarts at every chance. Definitely stalled their attack a few times.

Yeah he and Munster overplayed their hand last night, especially Grant. They needed to get the ball to KP on the left, like game one attacking Chricton and Cleary but KP didn’t see much ball at all. Walker didn’t have a great night either, Walsh looked better when he came on

 

[krustykraz]

Interesting stat,
NSW & QLD both scored a total 76 points each in the series.

 

[Defence wins games]

Hopefully, NSWRL make a case to the NRL about rescinding the "No current club coaches" rule and makes a play for Ivan Cleary, who will only be at Penrith for one more season.

Otherwise, maybe Brad Arthur is interested in coming home?

But it's going to be Shane Flanagan, isn't it? Oh Well. At least those who wanted Nathan dropped will get their wish when Kyle gets his first Origin jumper.

NSW will never be desperate enough to have Shane Flanagan, or worse still, Michael Ennis to be within the same postcode as the NSW Origin coach.

 

[Defence wins games]

I just can’t see a club coach, given how well they are remunerated wanting to invite the distraction that Origin coaching brings. Especially given it is going to be Ivan’s last year as coach at Penrith. I reckon it’ll be Matt King or Des Hasler on a one year deal.

Or Boyd Cordner.

 

[Seano]

I was joking about Shane Flanagan being the Origin coach... but deadly serious about Kyle.

 

[Seano]

Although jokes and attempted jokes aside, Origin coach was Madge's way back to a head coaching gig, so I'd imagine both Des and Shane apply if they still have aspirations.

 

[danknights]

I'm really glad Loz picked Hamoule over Lucas......oh wait haha

Haha and it's not like Liam Martin did anything that Lucas didn't. It was a change coz media.

 

[Seano]

The NRL and pundits need to understand the point of the bunker is not to be perfect but to pick up the obvious howlers; otherwise, we go with the ref's call.

QLD whinging about the Best try bunker call... but even after a detailed review at leisure the next day, the NRL only "believe" Bostock touched it.

The rule has long been that, in these circumstances, ie without a clear view, it is to go with the on-field decision. And that's what happened.

PS. The QLDers being on the (arguably) wrong side of a bunker call, one time, has me breaking out the tiny violin.

 

[Celticman98]

I've started to think this too recently. As good a player as Grant is, he tries to do too much sometimes I feel, he's a ball hog. Just pass the ball. Makes me appreciate Crossland more. Ponga catches a cold waiting around for Grant and Munster to throw him the ball.

From most of the Storm games I've seen this year, Harry has overplayed his hand a lot. Was no different last night.