Women's State of Origin 2025: A Clash of Titans (and Newbies!)
Get ready for some serious sporting drama, folks! The 2025 Women's State of Origin series is kicking off on May 1st at Suncorp Stadium, and it's Queensland Maroons versus the NSW Blues – a battle for the ages! This year, though? It's shaping up to be something else entirely. Expect excitement, a whole heap of fresh faces, and a unique set of challenges for both teams that'll have you on the edge of your seat.
A Seriously Weird Build-Up
Okay, here's the thing. This year's series has a major twist: most players haven't seen a proper game since last year's NRLW season ended. Unless, of course, they were lucky enough to be part of the Jillaroos team in Vegas. That means a huge lack of match fitness going into the opener, which adds a *lot* of intrigue. It's like trying to bake a cake with ingredients that have gone slightly stale!
And if that wasn't enough, both Queensland and NSW have undergone major roster shakeups. Several key players are out due to pregnancy or family commitments – completely understandable, of course, but it definitely impacts the game. The Maroons are relying heavily on the experience of Ali Brigginshaw and Tarryn Aiken in the halves, while the Blues are throwing some newbies into the mix, including Abbi Church at fullback and Ellie Johnston in the front row. It’s a recipe for either incredible upsets or spectacular failures – we’ll see which one.
Meet the Newbies (and the Usual Suspects)
Queensland is welcoming some exciting new talent: Rory Owen, Jasmine Peters, Jada Ferguson, and Tavarna Papalii are all set to make their debuts. That’s some serious fresh energy joining the reigning champions! With Shannon Mato out due to pregnancy, Keilee Joseph is stepping up in the front row – big shoes to fill!
Meanwhile, NSW has a completely revamped front row, led by Ellie Johnston and Simaima Taufa. And get this: Abbi Church is making her Origin debut at fullback! She's joining forces with other newcomers Jayme Fressard and Jocelyn Kelleher. And let's not forget Tiana Penitani Gray, the 2024 Dally M Centre of the Year – she’s a player to watch for the Blues.
The Big Scheduling Headache
Honestly, the scheduling is a mess. The NRLW season starting so much later has caused a lot of frustration amongst the players. Ali Brigginshaw, among others, has been pretty vocal about the stress of preparing for Origin with barely any recent game time. They're calling for the NRLW season to be moved earlier, which makes perfect sense – better match fitness leads to a better game, right?
NSW prop Ellie Johnston agrees, suggesting a longer NRLW season and a later Origin date would be ideal. Queensland co-captain Tamika Upton echoed those concerns, stressing the importance of peak fitness during the NRLW season for a fair contest. It's all about getting the best possible game, isn’t it?
Game Day!
Game one of the three-match series is at Suncorp Stadium on May 1st. They’re expecting a crowd of around 30,000 – the atmosphere is going to be electric! Make sure you catch the action. Check your local listings for broadcast information, or stream it live on Kayo Sports.
The Million-Dollar Question
So, there you have it. The 2025 Women's State of Origin series is going to be a wild ride, featuring a mix of seasoned stars and exciting newcomers. The unusual build-up adds a whole new layer of anticipation. Can the Maroons successfully defend their title? Or will the Blues snatch victory from the jaws of… well, maybe a little bit of scheduling chaos? Only time will tell!
