Frustration. Despair. Gloom.
NSW fans have been through a lot the past decade.
Now the Blues faithful can sense something else ahead of the 2017 State of Origin series – hope.
It seems for the first time in more than 10 years, all-conquering Queensland appear vulnerable.
The Maroons juggernaut that has rumbled to 10 series wins in 11 years is suddenly at risk of veering off track after the loss of Matt Scott (knee), Greg Inglis (knee) and Corey Parker (retired).
Add veteran fullback Billy Slater’s surprise snub for May 31’s series opener in Brisbane and Queensland have lost a total of 98 Origin games’ worth of experience.
The jury is also out on whether a shoulder injury will bring an abrupt halt to Maroons playmaker Johnathan Thurston’s record streak of 36 straight Origins.
Often rated the world’s best player, Thurston has played every game of Queensland’s 10 series wins since his 2005 debut.
Named as 18th man, Thurston will be given until the last moment to prove his fitness after announcing this Origin series will be his last.
If he’s ruled out, there will be plenty of pressure on Brisbane’s Anthony Milford to step up on debut as his replacement.
NSW have endured a few false dawns since Queensland began their dominance in 2006.
Former NSW skipper Paul Gallen suffered more at the hands of Queensland than most before his rep retirement after last year’s series.
He believes all signs point to an end to the Maroons’ reign in 2017.
“I just think Queensland’s time is up,” Gallen said.
“They’ve just lost so much experience and talent…I just think it’s NSW’s time and I think you’ll see the tide really turn.”
While Queensland have been warned an end of era looms, the Blues will look to finally build their own dynasty as they begin life without Gallen.
Boyd Cordner, 24, will take over the Blues captaincy and guide a new-look pack.
But the more things change the more they stay the same for NSW.
The Blues have again turned to maligned halfback Mitchell Pearce to end their rut despite a horror Origin history (11 losses in 15 games).
However, his NRL form resurgence since being overlooked for last year’s Origin due to off-field issues had convinced even Queenslanders that Pearce is finally ready to stamp his mark on the Origin stage.
“I think he was hung out to dry a bit there,” Maroons prop Dylan Napa said of his Sydney Roosters teammate’s Origin past.
Napa will make his Origin debut in Queensland’s front-row in game one, injecting new blood into what NSW hopes is a rare Maroons weak link – their ageing pack.
The loss of Scott and Parker led to Maroons selectors retaining starting prop Nate Myles in the front-row despite the 31 Origin veteran failing to consistently crack NRL club Manly’s top 13.
Quiet NRL form also didn’t stop Maroons selectors sticking with incumbent bench forwards Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman.
In contrast, NSW have named a pack full of in-form players including Cordner, Cronulla wrecking ball Andrew Fifita, Gold Coast rake Nathan Peats and St George Illawarra’s Tyson Frizell.
Ahead of his record 40th Origin, Queensland captain Cameron Smith admitted NSW’s pack posed a threat to their dominance.
“It’s very strong. They’ve always got a plethora of forwards to pick from,” he said.
“And we’ve got a couple of new guys in the side which will be a bit of work for us to do at camp.
“If we do a really good job of that we’ll perform well this series.”
