In what can only be described as something magical—you truly had to see it to believe it. The 2025 State of Origin Touch Football Series will go down as one of the most dramatic in history.

Inside the Team NSW Hub, the whiteboard that usually buzzes with updates sat eerily blank late Friday afternoon after Game 1. Players gathered around it, eyes scanning for any glimmer of good news, calling out to staff:

“What’s the score?”
“What do we need to win?”
“Can we still do this?”

The answer? Not easily. But in true NSW spirit—absolutely.

By midday Saturday, NSW had just 2 divisions secured. Queensland had already claimed 5. Eleven divisions were still live, but by 2:00pm, the Shield was one result away from heading north for the first time since 2002. QLD held 9 divisions. They needed just one more.

When the QLD Men’s 20s sealed their division in a nail-biting drop-off, the commentator captured the tension perfectly:

“QLD are just about home, and the Shield is about to head north of the border. NSW would have to win every remaining division—they have a mountainous task ahead.”

The pressure was real. The moment was now. It was all or nothing.

And then—we rose.

Not as individual teams. But as one united squad. One goal. One mission.

4:15pm – NSW claws back to 7 divisions

 5:10pm – 8 divisions

6:00pm – 9 divisions in sky blue hands

From the youngest players to the most seasoned veterans, every NSW team played their part in one of the greatest comebacks Origin has ever seen.

NSW claims 9 divisions – retains the shield
QLD claims 9 divisions

NSW Division Wins & Players of the Series

• Men’s Open – Chris Lennon
• Women’s Open – Bella Slattery
• Mixed Open – Luke Cain & Brittney Rudd
• Women’s 20s – Tynise Bowrey
• Women’s 35s – Josie Abelson
• Women’s 40s – Georgia Black
• Women’s 45s – Kylie Stewart
• Men’s 50s – Les Smith
• Women’s 50s – Giselle Martin

QLD Division Wins & Players of the Series

• Men’s 20s – Bailey Deakin
• Women’s 27s – Kayla Mi Mi
• Men’s 30s – Kaya Aupita-Kihi
• Men’s 35s – Ken Adams
• Men’s 40s – Nathan Jones
• Men’s 45s – Aaron Jones
• Men’s 55s – Bruce Macdonald
• Men’s 60s – Mark Jansson
• Senior Mixed – Ben Hones & Kelly Goodwin

This year’s Origin wasn’t just about results. It was about belief.

It was about rising under pressure, responding when it mattered most, and playing for something bigger than ourselves.

We came together when it counted. We bled blue—and we brought it home.