The star for the Maroons in Newcastle last year, Lauren Brown heads into Game Three facing a vastly different scenario, with Queensland out to prevent a historic series whitewash.
Brown’s 69th-minute field goal in the pouring rain at MacDonald Jones Stadium changed the momentum of last year’s series, with Queensland claiming an 11-10 win, which changed the script to set them up for a 22-6 win to snatch the series.
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
The winning moment: Brown
This year, named at halfback, she has a different challenge to confront, with the Blues out to cap a dominate series with a 3-0 result.
“Camp's been really good and the vibes have been high, but we are super motivated to go and not let this whitewash that New South Wales keep talking about, happen," Brown said.
“A lot of pride and respect in the jersey to play for.
“I think the Blues have been incredible this series, and nothing can really take that away from them, which sucks for us, but I think we really need to muscle up a little bit more in the middle, and just stop making errors, which isn't letting us get down into our good ball area of the field.
“I think last game we had one set in the second half in their defensive half.
“We just need win that field position battle, get in the grind, which they've been doing really well.
“Just get in the grind, win the field position, and play for the whole 70 minutes.
“If you look at Game One and Two; at halftime, the first game we went in, it was 14-6 and the second game, we went in at 12-6.
“So our first 35 minutes is good, and we're in a good position at halftime, but the theme seems to be when we're coming out of the sheds for the second half, we just aren't coming out as energetic and fired up as they are.
“They really get momentum early in that second half and that's what we've been struggling to match that and overcome and grab the momentum back.”
Reprising the halfback role she plays with aplomb for the Titans each week, Brown is looking forward to linking up with Tarryn Aiken and said having skipper Ali Brigginshaw move to lock would help bolster the middle of the field.
“It's exciting to play in the halves,” Brown said.
“I play there in clubland, but haven't amongst this group yet, so it's been exciting just to be learning the new shapes and things like that, it's been good.
“I've played with these girls a lot, and playing in the spine at nine, you kind of know what the team's goal is, so it's not too much of a big transition, which is good.
“But really looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the halves with Taz, she's amazing.
“Obviously playing at nine, we link up a fair bit and I'm always listening to her with what she wants on the field, and it's no different going into the seven role.
“She's one of my good mates off the field, so, it works out well being to being able to play alongside each other and see the master at work.
“It’s cool that I can partner in the halves alongside Taz and hopefully any pressure I can take off her, I'll try my best to do that so she can play her own game.
“Ali’s no stranger to playing in the middle; she's won Origins before playing lock, so she's no stranger to that role.
“She knows what it takes, and she can really control the middle and keep them calm and provide a little bit of direction there.
“I'm looking forward to seeing her back in the middle there and playing well.”
Brown also addressed some of the social media abuse Brigginshaw in particular had been targeted with following the opening two losses, saying her skipper had the full support of the players and squad and that most fans were supportive and knew not to cross the line.
“Ali’s been good, as most of us are around Origin time, we're off socials and we don't read into all that stuff that the trolls say,” Brown said.
“But it's horrible and it's disgusting what people hide behind the screens and keyboards and think they've got the right to say.
“The best thing about this camp is we're so connected as a group, and Ali's the ultimate professional.
“She's always putting the team first, always going and doing the extra things to help her teammates and that hasn't changed.
“This camp, we've all been super motivated to work together and just make sure that we're all putting our best foot forward for Thursday, no matter what role or what capacity that is.”
Match: Blues Women v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues Women
away Team
Maroons
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
