A State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, does it get any bigger than this? After a lopsided win to the Maroons in Game 1, the Blues got revenge in Game 2 in Melbourne. Expect a cracking game of football on Wednesday night, and make sure it’s even more exciting by getting involved with a team in Draftstars.
What better way to get into the game, than launching a few teams in Draftstars, which has a massive $40,000 contest for the first game of the series, with the winner set to pocket a cool $3,915. With several other contests available, there’s a contest for everyone, so get involved and make this game even more interesting!
NRL 2024 DAILY FANTASY TIPS: STATE OF ORIGIN GAME 3
Team News
Billy Slater has made a handful of changes to the Maroons after their poor performance in Game 2, with injuries and form testing the Maroons ‘Pick and Stick’ formula. Wingers Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates will both miss Game 3 after picking up hamstring injuries, with Selwyn Cobbo coming into the team on one wing, and Val Holmes shifting from centre to the other. Dane Gagai earns an Origin reprieve, and will assume Holmes’ spot in the centres, whilst Jayden Su’A has been dropped, replaced in the starting side by Kurt Capewell, with Kalyn Ponga named to return to the Queensland team from the bench.
As for the Blues, they were forced into one change through injury, whilst another change was down to performances in the first two games. Latrell Mitchell is out with a foot injury, replaced by Bradman Best at left centre, whilst Haumole Olakau’atu has been dropped in favour of Mitch Barnett. Barnett offers more versatility, as he can just as easily play on an edge as he can in the middle, and his form at club level for the Warriors has been irresistible.
Markets
Queensland Maroons ($1.80) vs NSW Blues ($2.00)
Total O/U – 41.5
Looking to place a wager or two on Wednesday night’s clash? Make sure to check out our full Origin Game 3 Betting Preview! Our experts have you covered with a match prediction and heaps of fun player props that represent great value.
Overview
The last time a decider was played at Suncorp Stadium, the Maroons managed a 22-10 victory to claim the State of Origin Shield in 2022. In fact, the last time the Blues stepped into the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium for a decider and walked away the winners, was all the way back in 2005. In fact, the Blues have only won a decider in Queensland on two occasions ever. This is as hard a task as there is in State of Origin, and possibly in all of Rugby League.
So, can they do it? The easy answer is no, they cannot do it, it’s the Maroons in Queensland! But as a Blues fan, I must have some faith in our boys! If they are to win Game 3, they need to strike early and get out to a lead so they can silence this Queensland crowd. They can then play the long, field position game that this team is set up for. The Blues dominated up the middle in Game 2, with their superior ruck speed generated by a team custom made by Michael Maguire to play at speed through the ruck. Notice how often you will see the likes of Dylan Edwards, Cam Murray, Isaiah Yeo, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, and Spencer Leniu hit the ground on their stomach, bouncing to their feet quickly and keeping the momentum rolling. Add this to the monster boot on Mitch Moses, and the Blues can play with a lead here.
However, if the Maroons get out to a quick lead, this will be disastrous for the Blues. The superior spine and athleticism that the Maroons have in the outside backs, are designed for scoring points in bunches, and if the Blues go down early, unfortunately I think the Queensland team will once again lift the shield after 80 minutes.
This should be a great game, and hopefully we get both teams at their best for 80 minutes.
Best Fantasy Plays
Love It – Brian To’o - $11,670
The powerful Panthers’ winger’s price has gone up after game two in the series, after a tremendous 61.5-point outing in Game 2. To’o has the solid base and high upside you need in the Origin arena, with no-one guaranteed to score a try in the decider. To’o managed 35 points in Game 1 without a try, and with a base that solid, he is the perfect number 1 OB for your squad.
Love It – Daly Cherry-Evans - $18,540
DCE has gone from being loathed and ostracized by Queensland players and supporters, to one of their most beloved players. He has done this by constantly showing up when it matters, and Origin doesn’t matter more than a Game 3 decider at Suncorp Stadium. Expect DCE to have his hands all over the ball in Game 3, and with his tremendous base (30 tackles in both games, 360m per game kicking), he is the obvious choice here. With scores of 82 and 54, a Queensland win will see another 65+ score for their champion halfback.
Love It – Spencer Leniu - $8,000
Leniu has been a beast at club land for a few years now, but I don’t think anyone expected him to take to Origin like a duck to water. You can visibly see the Maroons defence flinching every time the Blues enforcer takes a run, and despite his limited minutes (24, 27), he has managed scores of 43.6 and 33.5, all in base stats. If he gets more minutes, or a try, his score will be brilliant, and for a bottom dollar player, is the perfect FLEX or FWD3 to save you cash for guns elsewhere.
Hate It – Kalyn Ponga - $13,700
This is a come back and bite you in the ass choice, however there are no guarantees on Ponga for minutes, or for that matter what position he will play when he comes onto the field. If a Queensland outside back goes down early and he plays close to 80 minutes, he could be a great selection, but as the third most expensive OB in the game, I won’t be getting on. There are some tremendous cheap OB options in this game, and you will be better served picking one of these guys that you think has the chance for crossing the line once or twice.
Hate It – Mitch Moses - $15,440
Moses was the architect in Game 2 and thoroughly deserved his Man of the Match award, but this is a different kettle of fish entirely. A decider at the cauldron at Suncorp Stadium is a position no NSW halfback wants to be put in, however that’s exactly where Moses will be. Add to this, expectations are high on Moses after his last start for the Blues, and the Maroons will surely be targeting the Parramatta half early and often.
Who Knows – Reece Walsh - $15,720
Reece Walsh has had an Origin series to forget, carted off after only 7 minutes in Game 1, Walsh was almost harder to find in Game 2, where he played the entire 80 minutes but only managed 16.6 points on 108 running metres. The Blues clearly came into the series with a bullseye on the flashy fullback, but I don’t think even Madge could have predicted how effective it would be. If the Blues can shut down the biggest X Factor in the NRL for three straight games, he deserves a medal, however if Walsh can just get going early with one big run, the Blues need to watch out. Could score anywhere from <10 to 80+, he is the one selection that could make or break your Draftstars team for Game 3.
Suggested Draftstars Lineup
