When you think State of Origin you think the bruising hits, the intense speed of the game, and the fierce rivalry between NSW and Queensland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But there's much more to it than that for Blues coach Brad Fittler, with selecting the side and telling the lucky players they've been chosen one of the most special parts of the series each year.
Fans got to share in such a moment on Sunday when Fittler told Dubbo junior Isaah Yeo live on air he'd retained his spot in the Blues' squad for the 2021 series.
During a live interview on The Footy Show, Fittler broke the news to a delighted Yeo and it capped a special week for the Penrith Panthers star.
READ ALSO:
It was only a week prior Yeo had been celebrating a win with his Panthers back home in Dubbo while during the week he and his partner revealed they were expecting their first child.
"One of the great things you get to do is tell people they're going to play State of Origin," Fittler said during Sunday's program.
"When you've got a kid who grew up in Dubbo and who loves his footy, and you can tell the way he plays week in, week out - he's now about to have a baby - and he gets to go and play State of Origin on the biggest stage.
"It's wonderful, I'm very grateful to be able to do that."
Yeo made his debut for NSW last year and played in game two and three of the series as the Blues suffered a disappointing loss to the Maroons.
The St John's junior is one of five players from the unbeaten Panthers named in Fittler's 2021 squad.
The side was confirmed on Sunday night and Yeo was named at lock alongside teammates Brian To'o, Liam Martin, and halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary.
To'o, Martin, and Luai will all make their Origin debuts this year while fellow Penrith player Api Koroisau is one of Fittler's two reserves.
The recognition is just reward for the Penrith club which has dominated the start of the season.
The NRL side is unbeaten at the top of the ladder while the NSW Cup side suffered its first defeat of the season on the weekend.
Yeo said that quality in depth will be key during the Origin period when the Blues players are unavailable for club footy.
"We've got some real depth there," Yeo said on Sunday.
"We've got to cover for a lot of positions, so we'll see how we go.
"It's a good challenge, but it's one we're all ready for."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
