Fine forecast as Women’s State of Origin goes from strength to strength | Jack Snape

The Maroons begin the defence of their title with hopes high of more record crowds, as the code becomes more aware of the appeal of women’s players

A forecast for clear skies for Brisbane on Thursday has players and officials optimistic that women’s rugby league will launch itself into a new era of prominence in the first match of this year’s Women’s State of Origin.

Last year’s series featured three contests for the first time, unprecedented television ratings and record crowds, but each clash was affected by inclement weather, giving rise to hopes of even larger attendances in 2025.

Maroons’ forward Jess Elliston said the example of a near-capacity crowd in game two last year in Newcastle despite heavy rain showed fans were now committed to the women’s game.

“Even though we were getting booed like all shit, it was the most insane atmosphere I’ve ever been to, you couldn’t hear anyone,” she said. “My chest was rattling from the booing, which was just so cool.”

Last year’s Suncorp Stadium opener attracted just over 25,000, setting a record for the series that would last just three weeks. On a day when 17.6mm of rain fell on Newcastle, 25,782 crammed into McDonald Jones Stadium for that memorable game two.

Elliston said it was frustrating during the series when the players saw the forecasts for each match, but the consistent turnouts validated the long-time efforts of predecessors such as her coach at the Titans, former Jillaroo Karyn Murphy.

“Once again, rain [was forecast] and I tell you, [I thought] ‘Oh, this rain needs to bugger off’,” Elliston said. “It is getting there, but it’s just because people have fought so hard to make it happen.”

The average audience for Channel Nine’s three broadcasts was more than 1 million – an increase of 67.8% on the previous year. For comparison, no men’s NRL match on Channel Nine so far this year has reached the same number of people, with even the Las Vegas opener only attracting an audience of 715,000.

Channel Nine is broadcasting a documentary on the rise of Women’s State of Origin on Wednesday night, which includes a profile of NSW winger Jaime Chapman – whose runaway try was the highlight of game one last year – and firefighter Lauren Brown, who kicked the field goal to give Queensland victory in game two.

Australian Rugby League Commission chair, Peter V’landys, who will begin negotiations on a new broadcast deal this year, told the program the code was now aware of the appeal of women’s players. “I’m proud of what they do in the communities, I’m proud that they juggle jobs, family and playing. I think they’re inspirational, and we want to use them as much as we can to inspire the future,” he said.

The program also features an interview with NSW player Corban Baxter, who is unavailable after knee surgery in July. Her partner in the halves last year, Rachael Pearson, has been left out, giving the Blues (no longer the “Sky Blues” due to trademark complaints from A-League club Sydney FC) a fresh look under new coach John Strange.

Tiana Penitani Gray, who has played mostly as an outside back, has been named at No 6 alongside Newcastle’s 20-year-old halfback, Jesse Southwell. Parramatta’s Abbi Church is expected to debut at fullback.

Another five-eighth Kirra Dibb, utility Jocelyn Kelleher and last year’s fullback Emma Verran (nee Tonegato) have all been named in the 20-player squad, fuelling intrigue as to how the team will play. The final 18 will be confirmed an hour before kick-off.

Forward Kezie Apps said the Blues were taking some motivation from the pain of last year, when they were on track for a series win with a second-half lead in game II. But with a new coach in Strange and four debutants she was adamant they will not be dwelling on the past.

“For some of us who were a part of it, it still hurts how last year ended. But to be honest, it’s a new feel under Strangey and we’ve got some new girls in the squad,” she said. “The spine has been gelling really well together, and we’ve got Abbi playing fullback, she’s making her debut, which I’m really excited for her about,.”

Apps, 34, signed a new four-year deal with the Wests Tigers this week, more than a decade after she made her state debut. She said she has witnessed the game’s accelerating progress in the past few years, but last year’s opener at Suncorp Stadium still left a significant impact on her.

“That was a really special moment to see that stadium packed and they’re there to support just the women, that was something so special,” she said. “I’ve been around a really long time, and I’ve seen the progression, I’ve seen the changes in people’s perspective and people’s opinions on female rugby league. It was definitely a ‘pinch me moment’ running out there.”