Joni Mitchell once sang “you dont know what you got til its gone” and Queensland coach Kevin Walters may be humming the same tune when he looks over his sides game-one loss.
Heading into the series opener, many feared the Maroons had no way to recover from losing so Origin experience following the retirements of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, as well as the absence of Billy Slater and Matt Scott.
Sorely missed: Injured Maroons fullback Billy Slater.
Photo: AAP
When it came to toughness and effort you couldnt question the Maroons but in attack and kicking to advantage, they were found lacking. It was always going to be a big ask for the likes of Ben Hunt, Cameron Munster and Michael Morgan to replace the superboots of Cronk, Smith and Thurston – having Will Chambers chip in with some impromptu grubber kicks may not have been to plan either.
Too often the Maroons high kicks went shallow, other times they were left running one direction and then turning back to go the other way.
In game two they will need a better plan of attack and a stronger sense of where the ball is going on tackle four and tackle five, especially close to the try line. Munster will need more of the ball too – he was left to run into multiple defenders far too often instead of being in position to run and pass.
Hunts late 40-20 was a rare quality kick but Michael Morgan ended that belated attack by kicking a grubber into touch.
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That ounce of quality and control made all the difference when it came to Cronk or Smith. It is what made them generational talents.
Game one of the series was always going to be one test but not the definitive one as the MCG is such a different arena to the cauldron-like atmosphere of game two in Sydney or game three at Suncorp Stadium. It was apparent the Maroons were lacking the game-management skills of Cronk, Smith and Thurston, while Slaters voice in defence would have been welcome too but the Maroons kept fighting.
Hunt, new captain Greg Inglis and new goalkicker Valentine Holmes all showed they had plenty to offer.
Holmes scored a classy intercept try and made strong returns on his wing. He stood up.
Add Slater at fullback in game two and it could prove a big boost, while Hunt and Munster will know they have more to offer. If they can get on the same page with their teammates, the Maroons will have every chance of bouncing back.
Cameron Smith wont be coming back, neither will his retired mates. Their time is done.
Now the emerging Maroons need to take off their training wheels and take control of the side.
Queensland fans know what they have lost, the new generation needs to show what they have to come.
Roy Ward is a Sports writer for The Age.
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