Queensland captain Ali Brigginshaw toasted her team’s State of Origin success with an orange juice rather than champagne after suffering a head knock late in the 24-18 victory over NSW.
Brigginshaw got to hold aloft her second trophy of the year after also steering Brisbane to the NRLW title with a grand final win over the Sydney Roosters.
She was again one of her team’s stars as the Maroons ended a four-year dominance by the Blues in the Origin arena to the cheers of “Queenslander” ringing out around Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Broncos fullback Tamika Upton scored a double and player of the match, five-eighth Tarryn Aiken, crossed for a key second half try on their Origin debuts.
Brigginshaw wasn’t carrying any obvious post-match scars but said she had failed a HIA test late in the game.
It came when the Blues were clawing their way back into the match, closing in on Queensland’s 24-6 lead to set up a thrilling finale.
“I was in HIA telling the doctor to speed it up a little bit, trying to remember my words.
“It was disappointing not to be there for that final siren but I could hear the roar in the sheds so it was great to have the Queensland crowd there.
“I failed my HIA so that might interrupt the party – I’ll have an orange juice.
“I’m buggered but that’s what we said to the girls, don’t be able to walk off the field, you want to leave everything out there and I think we did that.”
Brigginshaw felt the breakthrough win could be a turning point for the Maroons.
“I think this is the start of something,” the 30-year-old said.
“We want to keep this team together – nine debutants and a couple in their first year and one being only their third game so I think this team needs to stay together and build from this.
“We will come together next year and we’re a great team and we have a long future ahead of us.”