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Fantastic four take a coach ride to Origin comebacks

Fantastic four take a coach ride to Origin comebacks

The Advertiser26-05-2025

ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.
ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.
ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.

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I've seen this movie before – it's a slasher flick and the Blues are the victim
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NSW risk being the man standing on a street corner, watching a giant truck hurtle towards him, yet can't hop out of the way in time to stop the vehicle from flattening him. How many times has the Sydney media ridiculed the Maroons' chances of winning a State of Origin series, including describing the 2020 team as 'the worst ever Queensland team', only for them to roll the Blues? As former Maroons player and coach, Kevvy Walters, says ahead to the second game in Perth, following NSW's triumph in the opening match in Brisbane, 'Beware the wounded Queenslander.' Walters insists the sacking of Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and the so-called abandonment of the northern state's time-honoured 'pick and stick' philosophy will have little impact on Billy Slater's team. He cites the earlier sacking of captain Trevor Gillmeister following the first game in 1996, after the tough forward led the Maroons to an unexpected clean sweep the previous year, trading off the Queensland underdog psyche of being underrated and overlooked. 'It didn't rock us,' said Walters who was a member of the 1996 team, captained by Allan 'Alf' Langer. 'We were disappointed for 'Gilly' but he was replaced by one of the greats as captain. The Queensland players will still love DCE. 'The show goes on and goes on pretty quickly.'

Swim king Chalmers plans to feast while he can
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Swim king Chalmers plans to feast while he can

Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. 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Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." 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Form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets and analysis of the Quaddie legs at Goulburn and Muswellbrook on Friday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ GOULBURN BEST BET Race 1 No. 3: LET'S GO BRANDON Easy winner of a high quality Maiden here last start. Go well. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 7: YVETTE Resumes. Placed at Canterbury at only two at the first prep. VALUE Race 2 No. 8: EVERLASTING STARS Won here first-up, fourth in town after that, good last time too. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5, 6 Race 6: 2 Race 7: 3, 4, 9 Race 8: 4, 6, 9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Four kilo claimer DALE COLE could be in for a big day. Apprentice Dale Cole has a nice rides at Goulburn. Picture: Bradley Photos MUSWELLBROOK BEST BET Race 6 No. 9: BELLINI SPRITZ Done nothing wrong on all three starts. Loaded with promise. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 10: TANGLEWOOD JIMMY Could run over the top of these late. Has talent. VALUE Race 1 No. 7: GHAZNAVI Winless after 15 starts. deserves one more chance here. INSIDE MAIL - GOULBURN RACE 5: KIRK'S BRIDGE FARM BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1500m DOWNTOWN'S ABBEY (5) has raced here at home three times for a win and a second. That win came at her last start back on April 28 and it was also over this trip. Got a tres bien by Pierre Boudvillain from gate 1 that day. Hopefully barrier 10 of 10 isn't overly detrimental here. In-form MIDNIGHT LUNA (2) may well be saved for this weekend's Highway. The best form of the Pat Murphy-trained local GOOFINATOR (6) is good enough to get onto the podium somewhere. Bet: Downtown's Abbey to win RACE 6: HOMEBASE REAL ESTATE MAIDEN PLATE 1500m LIMBURG (2) was sold for $1 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2022. Fast forward to May 2024 and the son of Justify (and half to Loving Gaby) was snapped up for $11,000. Two runs for Joe Pride at the provincials point to an imminent win. RUDBECKIA (4) faced a Heavy 9 at Bathurst first-up (must forgive). Two runs at the first preparation include a third to Let's Fly at Kembla albeit eight and a half behind her. Bet: Limburg to win, Daily Double 1st leg 2, 2nd Leg 4 RACE 7: JEWELL BUILDERS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1300m SPIRITS BURN DEEP (4) is bred, owned and trained by one of the industry's great all-rounders in Neil Osborne. This daughter of Deep Field has a win at the same track and distance. She was second to Chemtrail here on May 8 before a below par Highway run on May 24. Kudos to the Green Brothers Racing for their $6,000 yearling buy KILLER KERR (3) who has won $106,000 with more to come. Only needs to repeat her May 30 effort here and she probably wins. Bet: Spirits Burn Deep each-way, quinella 2, 4 RACE 8: RADIO GOULBURN COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1200m THOUGHTFUL (4) is a sparingly-raced five-year-old with just five starts on his resume; one win, one second, one third and one fourth to Highway Strip here too. He seems to be a naturally talented horse and so he should be given he's a close relative of Happy Clapper, Thankgodyou'rehere and others. Fluctuations might tell a story here. You wouldn't find too many outright deeper races than pretty much every single one that WINNIE FORTUNE (8) has contested and run especially well in. Bet: Thoughtful to win, box trifecta 1, 4, 6, 9 INSIDE MAIL - MUSWELLBROOK RACE 5: COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1280m ZELESTIAL (5) was a barber-shop tip when she made her long coming Australian debut on a very wet Taree track on May 20. Masterful training performance by Lyle Chandler, masterful ride by Donovan Dillon too. Pros; beat a subsequent winner and is handy. Cons; second-up off a long break. It's easy to see that Solitario is a young three-year-old on the way up. Races in the colours of his grandam, Ortensia too. Bullock, box two. DASH BY (6) could sprint well fresh. Bet: Zelestial to win, quinella 2, 5 RACE 6: BENGALLA CUP SUN 27 JULY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1450m BELLINI SPRITZ (9) is a stablemate of the aforementioned Solitario and what was said about him, we could cut and paste for this Arrowfield-owned and bred daughter of Dundeel out of a Snitzel mare. Only win was at the same trip last prep. Good first-up, Bullock, gate five. FULL COMMITMENT (12) has finished with a medal at six of her 10 runs. Note that her only win thus far came second-up as she is here. One day YOU HAVE TO GO (14) is going to run over the top of a field. Bet: Belle Spritz to win, exacta 9 / 12, You Have To Go to place, DD 1st Leg 9, 2nd Leg 19 RACE 7: MAGIC MILLIONS BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1500m REBEL'S EDGE (5) commemorated his 53rd start with a Wingham Cup win on June 5. That was his fourth run back with Cassandra Stummer and all have been good after a short stint in Queensland. ARTFUL PERSUASION (6) has raced 12 times, eight at Kembla as it happens, most of them good. One of his 'away runs' was in the Four Pillars where he finished 10th of the 20 runners. KNIFE'S EDGE (1) won the Parkes Cup last start. Bet: Rebel's Edge each-way RACE 8: ROBSON CIVIL BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP 1280m TANGLEWOOD JIMMY (10), a third generation descendant of bonny 1990s' mare Western Chorus, has raced nine times for two wins and two placings. One of those placings was here at Muswellbrook. The wins were over 1450m and a mile but he is one of those horses who could just launch himself late over the top here. A POUND OF SALT (1) was rewarded with a very well-earned and overdue Highway win last start. That's three wins inside his last six starts now. Bet: Tanglewood Jimmy to win, quinella 1, 10, box First 4 Nos. 1, 2, 4, 9, 10 GOULBURN BEST BET Race 1 No. 3: Let's Go Brandon Easy winner of a high quality Maiden here last start. Go well. NEXT BEST Race 3 No. 7: Yvette Resumes. Placed at Canterbury at only two at the first prep. VALUE Race 2 No. 8: Everlasting Stars Won here first-up, fourth in town after that, good last time too. QUADDIE Race 5: 2,5,6 Race 6: 2 Race 7: 3,4,9 Race 8: 4,6,9 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Four kilo claimer Dale Cole could be in for a big day. MUSWELLBROOK BEST BET Race 6 No. 9: Bellini Spritz Done nothing wrong on all three starts. Loaded with promise. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 10: Tanglewood Jimmy Could run over the top of these late. Has talent. VALUE Race 1 No. 7: Ghaznavi Winless after 15 starts. deserves one more chance here.

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