Game 1 of the 2022 State of Origin series kicks off on Wednesday night, and is set to be a cracker.
The battle between the NSW Blues and QLD Maroons never seems to disappoint... unless it's 2021 and you're a Queenslander. Nevertheless, there is a special kind of excitement that comes with the greatest rivalry in Australian sport.
We have Billy Slater up against Brad Fittler in the coaches box, Junior Paulo and Payne Haas facing off against Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Josh Papalii and that isn't even the best of the match-ups.
While every game has its features whether it's a decider in Game 3 or a pivotal Game 2, there is a special electricity that comes with the unknown of the first game in a series.
There have been some fantastic games in the 42 years the series has been running. Most of the greats, like James Tedesco scoring in the final seconds of 2019's Game 3, come in series-winning games, but what about series openers?
Here are ten of the greatest Game 1s in State of Origin History.
10. 1994 - "Here's the big fella!"
"That's not a try, that's a miracle!"
Marked by the incredible commentary from Ray Warren, this game has one of the greatest endings to a game in history.
Up by only two points with fifteen to play, the Blues thought they'd put it to bed when they scored in the 68th minute to make it 12-4. Queensland had other plans.
As Willie Carne scored and Mal Meninga kicked the goal to make it 12-10, there was only a minute left to play.
There isn't much to say that wasn't said by Ray Warren in one of his best performances.
While it might send shivers down the spines of NSW Blues fans, it's what Queenslanders put on to keep the nightmares away.
It is, undoubtedly, one of the best State of Origin matches in history.
"Walters onward. Carne joins in, floats the pass for Renouf, Renouf down the touchline, beats one, gets it in-field.
Hancock gets it on. Queensland are coming back! Darren Smith for Langer, Langer gets it away.
Here's the big fella! gets the pass on. Coyne! Coyne! Goes for the corner and gets the try! Queensland! It's a miracle performance!"
