Even the wag standing proudly in a NSW jersey amid a sea of maroon could appreciate the Queensland Origin team’s visit to what could now be called their spiritual home on Wednesday.
About 5000 people lined the streets of Roma in the state’s south-west – birthplace of Queensland Origin godfather Arthur Beetson – to catch a glimpse of the Maroons team before the excitement proved too much.
What had started as a parade became a kilometre-long meet and greet as the locals swamped McDowall Street to mingle with their heroes.
Thousands of people – some from Toowoomba four hours away – swarmed around their idols asking for autographs, photos and, in Maroons winger Darius Boyd’s case, a marriage proposal written on a forthright woman’s banner.
It may have all been a blur for the Queensland players but it seems they will always remember Matthew Jarman.
Looking like a man who had lost a high-stakes bet, Jarman not only wore a brand spanking new Blues jersey at the parade, he took pride of place on the roadside to give Maroons players helpful tips as they passed.
In the end even he was impressed with the ever-smiling Maroons.
“I think it is great that they can visit somewhere like here, it means a lot,” he said.
“But put your house on NSW for game two.”
It proved an emotional trip for Maroons players – in more ways than one.
The special significance of the town – where retired great Darren Lockyer also grew up – was not lost on the players, especially following Beetson’s sudden death on the Gold Coast in December.
The first indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport, Beetson’s passion is credited with guaranteeing the success of Origin after he led the Maroons to victory in the first game at Lang Park in 1980.
But it hit a bit closer to home for players like Brent Tate – another Roma product.
“It looks like the whole town is here. It’s awesome. Very special to see,” Tate said.
“This town has been through a fair bit with floods and that so it’s great for them.
“But it makes a difference to us as well – to know we have this support is not lost on us.
“Plus there is the significance of Artie. This kind of thing makes sure his spirit will never die.”
A few more of Roma’s favourite sons – ex-internationals Willie Carne and Wally Fullerton-Smith – also walked proudly down the main street.
Only Ash Harrison (groin) and Matt Scott (personal reasons) missed the trip, but one local junior still to be brought up to speed with league news reckoned there was one significant omission.
“Where’s Locky?” the confused youngster asked his mum.
The Maroons team organised a training session at Roma before flying to the Sunshine Coast to officially begin their Origin camp at Coolum ahead of next week’s Origin II.
Queensland can seal an unprecedented seventh straight series with a game two victory in Sydney.