Just days after losing her job to pursue a rugby league dream, Maddie Studdon captained NSW to a thrilling 16-10 victory over Queensland in the inaugural women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval.
Isabelle Kelly's late try broke the deadlock with five minutes to go before 6824 fans at the suburban ground who saw a rugby league spectacle for the ages as the women's game made its greatest statement yet.
No stopping her: Isabelle Kelly defies the Maroons opposition to score her second try to seal victory for the Blues.
Photo: AAP
But Studdon sensationally revealed just moments after the win that she had lost her job of two and a half years as a tug-truck driver on Botany Wharf during the week, told she wouldn't be given time off to join the Blues Origin camp.
"I was always going to pick rugby league, I was going to be in that Blues jersey, this is my job and if that's how it's going to be, that's the way," Studdon said.
"I couldn't get the commitment off them and I wasn't putting my 100 per cent in as well. I have to commit 100 per cent to rugby league; that's where my dream's going."
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Blues coach Ben Cross said Studdon's commitment showed the passion his side had for the Blues jersey.
"That's the sacrifices these women and players are making to wear the Origin jerseys, they're losing jobs over it," Cross said.
"I've spoken to them at lengths all week in camp and previous camps about the sacrifices they make. Juggling of study and work, we've had girls who had to postpone exams this week.
"They just find a way to do it, that's how much this Blues jersey means to them."
They were forced to find a way to do it in a physical contest against a determined Queensland side.
Blues centre Corban McGregor was forced from the field early with a dislocated shoulder and didn't return, while Rebecca Riley only lasted 24 minutes before coming off with muscle tightness.
Hard-hitting lock forward Vanessa Foliaki also spent a significant chunk off the field with a tight hamstring, but was able to return midway through the second half.
Queensland came at the Blues late on.
With less than three minutes on the clock Rhiannon Revell-Blair scooped the ball up from dummy half and charged down the short side before Kelly and Nakia Davis-Welsh stopped her in her tracks, allowing three more teammates to charge in and force the Maroons winger over the sideline.
"We did a lot of video work throughout the week about Origin spirit and efforts and I'm sure that's a highlight that will come up for next year's game," Cross said.
"Blues jerseys in the picture is what we spoke about all week. That tackle in the end typifies what the Blues jersey means to these girls."
Maroons captain Karina Brown scored a try in each half to keep her side in the contest but Kelly's double, and Davis-Welsh's try early in the second half were enough to secure the win for NSW.
Queensland coach Jason Hetherington said his side was gallant in defeat.
"I can't fault the effort, the standard was great," Hetherington said.
"Probably a few errors cost us but on a whole, on a wash-up, very very pleased with what they did tonight, extremely proud of them."
NSW 16 (I Kelly 2, N Davis-Welsh tries; M Studdon 2 goals) def QUEENSLAND 10 (K Brown 2 tries, C Baker goal). Referees: Jon Stone, Peter Gough. Crowd: 6824.
James Buckley writes on AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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