Suncorp Stadium, aka The Cauldron has seen many iconic moments since its redevelopment in the early 2000’s.
Perhaps no event is more associated with Brisbane’s premiere sporting ground than State of Origin with the home crowd getting to witness some phenomenal contests.
We could be in for another one as the 2025 series kicks off in the Sunshine State with the both sides eager to take a 1-0 advantage before they head to Perth.
2003 – Welcome Home
Admittedly this one is on the list more for the pregame than the actual 80 minutes of rugby league.
The stadium was buzzing as the Maroons returned “home” for Game 1 of the 2003 series.
Unfortunately that good feeling was short lived as the Blues claimed the first game at the renovated venue by a score of 25-12.
Andrew Johns contributed a try, four goals and a field goal to the Blues performance as well as this try assist.
2004 – Slater’s Magic Try
Best try in Origin history?
If not, it’s top three.
This clip should be the lead on Billy Slater’s career retrospective.
2005 – Bowen’s Magic Moment
Game 1 in 2005 could have gone so badly for both sides and it turned into an instant classic.
Queensland flew out to a 19-0 halftime lead and looked in complete control before the Blues scored 20 straight points and looked like they would steal the game.
As he would do so many times throughout his career, Johnathan Thurston stepped up with two minutes to play and levelled the scores at 20-20 sending the game into golden point.
Substitute Matt Bowen read Brett Kimmorley like a picture book and intercepted a pass racing 40m to win the game.
2006 – Mogg-mania
Needing a win after dropping Game 1, Queensland suffered a huge blow losing Greg Inglis but never fear, Adam Mogg was there to fill the void.
He burst onto the scene with two tries in the Maroons 30-6 win before adding another in the Decider in Melbourne.
2009 – Tensions Boil Over
In a throwback to what many call the “good old days” of rugby league, it all kicked off in the closing minutes of 2009’s dead rubber.
Queensland had already claimed the series, New South Wales had won the game, and rather than trying to describe it with words, just see what unfolded.
2012 – Cronk’s Ice Cold Moment
Series decider, scores level, first series post Darren Lockyer.
Up steps Cooper Cronk from 40m out… nerves of steel.
2015 – A Historic Victory
We were supposedly in for a titanic clash in the 2015 Origin decider, then the Maroons decided to play the game of their lives.
Eight tries to one and a perfectly executed gameplan gave the Queenslanders a 52-6 victory as they won back the State of Origin trophy.
It was also a farewell for Justin Hodges who ended his representative career with a win and the final conversion of the game.
2020 – Worst Ever Squad, Best Ever Win?
Queensland, underdogs at Suncorp Stadium, no chance right?
We don’t have to remember too far back for the last time someone prematurely wrote off the Maroons in an Origin game.
Played in November after the season went into hiatus, State of Origin 3 last year was a memorable win for the Queenslanders stunning the heavily fancied New South Wales side.
2022 – Ben Hunt Plucks The Series Off Cleary’s Boot
We all know about “that” moment from Ben Hunt’s club career, but he cemented his place in Origin history in the space of about 0.7 seconds in July 2022.
Two minutes remained in Game 3 of the series with the Maroons holding on to a tenuous four point lead and the Blues were threatening in the Queensland half.
Nathan Cleary shaped to put a chip in behind the Maroons line and Hunt read it all the way, sticking his hands up and plucking the ball out of its flight.
But the job wasn’t done in his mind, he had 72 metres to run.
You could probably count on one hand the number of times Suncorp has been that loud since it re-opened.
2023 – Luai and Walsh Sent Off
Game 2 of the 2023 series was a bit of a dud in terms of entertainment with the Maroons destroying the Blues and claiming the series with 80 minutes to spare.
But the real memorable moment came in the closing seconds during a melee that initially saw Josh Addo-Carr sin-binned.
In amongst the disagreement Reece Walsh and Jarome Luai engaged in some headed discussion with their foreheads which saw both players sent off.
Needless to say the home crowd had plenty of choice words for Luai and his counterparts as they exited the arena.