There has been the traditionally massive build-up to State of Origin Game 1, from discussions and analysis of the State of Origin team selections to the betting markets on this great state v state showdown.

State of Origin Best Bet: Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

The last time the mighty Queensland Maroons met with the New South Wales Blues was back in Game 3 last year when Queensland capped off their record breaking sixth straight Origin series win with a  34 – 24 win at Suncorp Stadium.

The Maroons led 24-nil in the opening 33 minutes of that match before the Blues fought back to score twice in the final three minutes of the game, closing the gap but not dampening the celebrations in the sunshine state.

Tonight is the Queenslander’s first game of a new era, an era with the legendary Darren Lockyer to captain them.

Taking over as skipper is Cameron Smith, and isn’t it fitting he gets to play his first as captain at his club home state in Melbourne.

Smith has battled with the flu this week but has been passed fit to play.

There’s always something niggling in the media to downplay Queensland’s dominance, but really they are the ones to beat.

And Smith isn’t the only one who will look at playing in Melbourne tonight as having the ‘home ground advantage’, much to the dislike of Blues’ coach Ricky Stuart.

He’s joined on the field by fellow Melbourne Storm stars Cooper Cronk and formidable fullback Billy Slater.

It really is a blissfully talented State of Origin Maroons team bursting with champions.

There’s five-eighth Johnathan Thurston who’ll be keen to help Smith fill Locky’s boots, the retiring warhorse Petero Civoniceva as well as exciting centres Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis geared up to get the job done.

And then there’s the bench.

When you have the likes of Ben Hannant, Dave Taylor, Dave Shillington and newbie Matt Gillett lying in wait for a run on you know that their opposition is going to find it tough.

They come in with more experience, more team cohesion, more confidence and are the raging favourites in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au.

Of course the Blues won’t just give the win away.

They have a new spine with halfback Mitchell Pearce, hooker Robbie Farah and fullback Brett Stewart who haven’t been there in that combo before.

Add into the mix the genius of Todd Carney and his can’t knock em’ down fellow Sharkie Paul Gallen you could just be expecting a tight State Of Origin result.

Love him or hate him the bad boy of league Carney has knuckled down this year and it shows.

He’s doing everything right which is why he’s earned that Blues jersey and he is key to inspiring an upset win here.

They also have a roster full of full 80-minute players such as the fiery Greg Bird, Jamie Buhrer, Luke Lewis and Tony Williams.

They are feeling the pressure, desperate to win back the respect of their fans and bragging rights they haven’t held in over half a decade.

They were thereabouts last year, but will they get any closer in 2012?

So how do you turn all his info into winnings? By showing your state support and having a State of Origin bet online at bookmaker.com.au.

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2012 State of Origin Betting

State of Origin 2012 Odds

To Win –

• Queensland Maroons $1.49
• New South Wales blues $2.76

Line -

• QLD Maroons -5.5 @ $1.88
• NSW Blues +5.5 @ $2

Draw –

• $26

Win by 1 – 12

• QLD Maroons $2.70
• NSW Blues $3.65

Win by 13+

• QLD Maroons $3.10
• NSW Blues $8.50

Total Score –

• Over 38.5 @ $1.93
• Under 38.5 @ $1.91

State of Origin Best Bet

• Queensland To Win by 1 – 12 @ $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au

Queensland has enjoyed a stranglehold over the State of Origin arena winning an incredible six straight series.

They have a combination of class, skill, experience and legendary status that makes them all but unbeatable on paper and as it has been proven on the field as well.

So what are the Blues doing wrong? No one, least of all their coach Ricky Stewart really knows.

While it would seem that State of Origin Game 1 will play out on neutral territory taking place at Ethiad Stadium in Melbourne, one could argue this plays into the Maroon’s hands.

Two Melbourne Storm superstars are among the Maroons squad with champion fullback Billy Slater and Cam Smith who takes over as skipper for the retired great Darren Lockyer.

It is easy to see why Queensland are the shorties in the State of Origin odds at bookmaker.com.au paying around $1.40 to win.

Among the most experienced in a squad that boasts an incredible 147 winning State Of Origin matches in total are the warhorse Petero Civoniceva who will say goodbye to the game at the end of the season, Cowboys five eighty Johnathan Thurston, and fellow North Queenslander Matthew Scott to name a few.

But there are some rookie’s as well with two young players named to make their Origin debut in an extended 19-man team with the Broncos’ Matt Gillett on the bench and Manly’s star rookie Daley Cherry-Evans.

In an attempt to spice things up and inject something fresh into the New South Wales Origin team this year selectors have named four debutants.

Most notable of the quartet is the Sharks standout player Todd Carney who is doing everything right on and off the field this year making him deserving of his fifth eighth Blues’ jersey.

He should bring something good to the table too as he reunites with halfback Mitchell Pearce who he used to work some magic with on the green when playing for the Roosters.

The other New South Welshmen to make their debuts in State Of Origin Game 1 are then Cowboys’ James Tamou who will be looking to match his club teammates including his Cowboys captain Thurston on the opposite side for a change, flyer Jamie Buhrer and Tony Williams.

With so many Origin series losses the Blues are the underdogs going into game one paying around $2.70 through bookmaker.com.au.

So is there anything missing from the Queensland State of Origin Team?

Locky for one but Smith should captain them alright.

Cloud of injury over Justin Hodges, the centre suffering a foot injury that saw him miss Brisbane’s NRL Round 10 loss to Manly.

He says he’ll be right by Dane Nielsen has been named as the 19^th man just in case.

Hodges is one of four Brisbanites in the squad along with Nielsen, Sam Thaiday and Ben Hannant.

Along with the retired Locky the other notable absentee is Corey Parker who was snubbed by Origin selectors after his poor night on the boot against the Sea Eagles last week.

Check out the complete State of Origin 2012 team lists in the tables below.

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2012 Queensland Maroons State of Origin Game 1 Team

2012 New South Wales Blues State of Origin Game 1 Team

It is a blockbuster battle between two of the real-deal 2011 Premiership contenders, the 30^th time they play each other, and possibly a milestone match for Melbourne who are vying for their eighth consecutive NRL win.

With seven straight wins, the Storm are enjoying their best roll since the lead-up to their 2007 Grand Final win (since stripped), and tonight’s home game is expected to be played out in front of a 30,000 plus crowd.

In the NRL match odds at Luxbet, the in-form Storm are unsurprisingly the favourites paying a still backable $1.50 to secure their spot at the top of the ladder.

Darren Lockyer and the rest of the Brissie boys are paying $2.65 to claim an upset NRL result, the Broncos well-positioned to give Locky a career-last NRL finals bid currently sitting fourth on the ladder.

Tonight will also be Lockyer’s final NRL game in Melbourne, the end-of-career events continuing to arise the closer to retirement the great man gets.

With retirement rolling closer along with the September semis, Storm player Cooper Cronk is not expecting an easy win especially with Locky in the mix.

“Don’t count out the Brisbane Broncos with Darren Lockyer,” Cronk, who played alongside the instrumental Maroon No. 7 for Queensland’s sixth straight Origin win this year.

“The emotion surrounding him and his last season can be something that can get a team over the line.

“For me now, it’s more about being really consistent no matter who you play.

“I know it’s a big game for the club in terms of first versus four, it’s Friday night football in Melbourne and we’ve got the new jerseys.

“In reality it’s just another stepping stone to what is hopefully going to be a big back-end of the eyar for us.

“They’re a good team in good form, so it’s going to be a good test for us.”

With both NRL teams back to full strength after the State of Origin period, it is only the Storm’s recent purple patch and home ground advantage separating them from Brisbane in the NRL betting markets.

Punters with Top 4 bets on at Luxbet will also be sweating on this one, especially if their money’s on Brisbane.

The Broncos come off a big 20-point victory over the Wooden Spoon-favoured Titans from last week’s Rivalry Round, while the Storm easily accounted for the Raiders 26 – 0 in Round 19.

If the Storm loose in an upset tonight, the Manly Sea Eagles get a chance to reclaim their spot at the top if they defeat the Panthers on Sunday arvo.

A loss for Brisbane and they could drop to fifth on the ladder if the Thurston-less Cowboys bounce back from their nasty 38 – 18 loss to the Tigers last week and finish ahead of the Gold Coast on the scoreboard at Skilled Park on Saturday arvo.

“Once you get past the rep season, you can see the finish line and all those still in contention are trying to find another gear to jostle for spots,” Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said.

Melbourne are only likely to improve from their clinical performance last week, as long as they don’t crumble under the mounting pressure, with hooker Cameron Smith and prop Bryan Norrie both named in the starting line-up after starting off the bench last week.

Griffin is well-aware of the danger Smith presents in the ruck, something he has warned his players to keep on top of tonight.

“He’s probably the best hooker in the competition,” Griffin said.

“He’s their captain, he handles the ball more than any other player and he’s the most influential player in the comp at least for this week, as far as we’re concerned.”

Brisbane have managed to maul Melbourne down there before, easily defeating them 36-14 last year, but Griffin isn’t relying on that stat to get them through.

“When we played them down there last time, in fairness to them, they were out of the competition,” he said.

“They didn’t have Cameron Smith either, so there were a few variables there.”

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In front of a record-breaking 52,498 sea of Maroon fans that packed Suncorp Stadium to the rafters, the champion Queensland crew gave their instrumental skipper Darren Lockyer the farewell from Origin that the most-capped Origin player in history so much deserved with their authoritative six-tries-to-four win.

Donning the Maroon jersey for the 36^th and final time on Wednesday night, Lockyer can bow out from representative football with his famous bald head held high thanks to an all-in effort from the superlative Queensland team.

It was the first time in 20 years that the Maroons sealed a series win in a decider at Lang Park, making for an even more memorable chapter in the Origin history books.

While Locky himself didn’t get a final Origin four-pointer to ice the cake, there was still plenty to celebrate both on the field and back in the dressing rooms with household names old and new scoring for Queensland including Greg Inglis, Sammy Thaiday, Cameron Smith, Jharal Yow Yeh and Billy Slater.

It was an embarrassing start for the Blues in Origin game three, who after much hype from their bullish captain Ricky Stuart looked flat and out-played allowing Queensland to cruise to a commanding 24 to nil lead with four unanswered tries in the opening 35 minutes.

First over was Greg Inglis in the 16^th minute who capitalised on a masterful Johnathan Thurston kick followed by an easy four-pointer by a charging Sam Thaiday thanks to a deft pass from Slater, both converted by JT.

Greg Inglis was at double figure odds at Luxbet in the Origin first try-scorer markets, making the first four-pointer of the game real winner for punters!

Two more before the Blues had even opened their account had the Queenslanders cheering their hearts out.

The legendary Cameron Smith, tipped to take over captaincy from Locky and later named both man of the match and man of the series, getting over in the 31^st minute from dummy-half.

Then Broncos flyer Jharal Yow Yeh crossed again just two minutes later after a Lockyer kick bounced off Blues fullback Minichiello’s legs and right into his arms giving the young gun his second try in the Origin arena.

Another two successful conversion attempts by JT and the Blues were staring down the barrel of a 24 to nil deficit.

With Queensland having dominated in both attack and defence, in the last five minutes of the first half they dropped their game just enough for New South to sneak in with two fast tries to give the Blues supporters a glimmer of hope before the break.

First over was fullback and Rooster’s veteran Anthony Minichiello in the 37^th minute atoning for his earlier stuff-up by cleaning up a messy play after a horror kick from Soward went through four fumbling sets of Maroon hands before Luke Lewis clung on and passed to Minnie.

The Blues second came from Newcastle winger Akuila Uate who crossed right on the siren for his debut Origin try.

Jamie Soward, who seemed to be struggling with his ongoing hamstring injuries, converted the first but missed the second and Queensland headed to the sheds leading 24 – 10.

The second 40 minutes of the match began on a more even playing field.

Queensland’s brilliant fullback Billy Slater, who seemingly had a magnet on his chest having caught nearly every kick Soward sent his way, broke the arm-wrestle in the 65^th minute after a time-honoured play from Lockyer and Thaiday.

Smith had to take over conversion duties after Thurston suffered a sickening knee injury earlier in the game when attempting a tackle on Blues prop Anthony Watmough.

JT’s exit from the game was the only sour note on Queensland’s big night and has put the NRL future of the Cowboys this season under a cloud of doubt.

Getting back to business without Thurston, the Maroons held strong and just four minutes after Slater’s effort big Greg bagged himself an Origin Game 3 double scoring in the 69^th minute.

Again it was too little too late for New South Wales who posted the final points of the season with two tries inside the closing 10 minutes.

Jarryd Hayne got himself a rare eight-point try, Smith penalised and put on report for a sliding knee tackle in-goal allowing Soward back-to-back goals after the try.

With two minutes on the clock, Greg Bird scored a consolation try for the Blues, Soward converting again, but it did little to dint the pride of the supreme series winning Queensland squad.

As always, this year’s State of Origin impacts the NRL Telstra Premiership both good and bad.

With NRL Round 18 kicking off on Friday night, the Eels will take on the Tigers at Parramatta Stadium without Hayne and the Tigers are the early narrow favourites at $1.85 through Luxbet.

The other Friday night footy match sees the Titans travel to Mt Smart Stadium to play the Warriors, the Gold Coast possibly to have Mat Rogers back in the line up but are still the long-priced underdogs at $3.35 through Luxbet.

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The Origin series scoreboard reads one-all, Queensland having won a gritty game one in May before a gallant fight-back and upset victory by the New South Wales Blues when they had the home ground advantage in Sydney last month.

State of Origin 2011 Game 3 is now a do-or-die decider and the Mal Meninga-coached Maroons know the feverish capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium won’t accept anything other than a big win from their mighty squad.

Whether you have one of the coveted Game 3 State of Origin Tickets and will be there on the night to witness the magic, mayhem and madness, or if you are preparing for a big night in with the beers already in the fridge, now is the time to get you Origin bets down at Luxbet – don’t leave it till kickoff and forget!

The Canetoads are on the brink of a sixth, consecutive State of Origin series win and adding to the pressure is that Wednesday’s State v State showdown will be Lockyer’s final appearance for the Maroons.

Despite suffering a loss down south of the border in the second instalment of Rugby League’s greatest tournament, Queensland have retained their State of Origin Betting favouritism.

The Lockyer-lead squad of legends, both old and new, sit at the top of the State of Origin Odds paying $1.55 at Australia’s leading bookmaker Luxbet to etch their name on the Origin shield for a sixth year in a row through.

Ricky Stuart’s Blues showed they had a bit of that legendary Queensland spirit of their own in game two, their price to beat the defending Origin winners in a series for the first time since 2005 being $2.50 at Luxbet.

Queensland named a very similar Origin Game 3 Team as in the opening two encounters, the major change being the suspension and subsequent omission of South Sydney’s man mountain Dave Taylor.

Justin Hodges comes back into the game, returning from injury and will be a welcome edition for Locky’s swansong having played beside the to-be-immortal for years at club level with the Brisbane Broncos.

Going by experience and Origin appearances alone, Queensland have this in the bag, explaining their favouritism in the Luxbet Origin markets.

But an emerging Blues outfit know they have the potential to beat the Maroons, and the ability to be the team that kicks off a new era for New South Wales.

On paper the sunshine state stars have little to worry about.

Take the numbers of the No. 6’s for example.

Lockyer in the Maroon’s No. 6 will be donning the jersey for the 36^th time on Wednesday night, compared with New South’s Jamie Soward who only made his Origin debut this year.

Locky is the greatest in the game, hands down, but Soward has a few kicking tricks up his boot and will be out to match the man and Queensland must watch him and put far more pressure on the Dragons’ star than they did in Game 2.

Then there’s the battle of the up-and-coming flyers.

For Queensland Jharal Yow Yeh has been an absolute standout.

Scoring on debut in Game 1, the Maroon No. 5 and Broncos young gun made a few key errors in game two, but will be out to atone for those errors and there will be plenty of smart punters at Luxbet betting on Yow Yeh in the First Tryscorer markets.

In the Blues No. 5 is Newcastle Knights star Akuila Uate, also playing in just his third Origin match.

He has the speed and turn of foot to leave a lagging Queensland wall of defence in his wake, also making him an attractive bet for punters in the State of Origin Tryscorer Odds at Luxbet.

Lockyer isn’t the only star in the Maroon’s instrumental backbone, there’s also Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and big old Petero Civoniceva.

These blokes have been there and done that time in and time out, but the fire is still in their bellies, the skills are still there for all to see and this experience, combined with the home crowd support, make Queensland a very hard team to beat.

So back the mighty Maroons at Luxbet now before odds shorten, or if you are a true blue New South Wales supporter, jump on their juicy Luxbet price for an upset and prepare for the nail-biting finale!

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2011 State of Origin XXXX Maroons Queensland Team Game 3:

1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)

2. Darius Boyd (St George Illawarra Dragons)

3. Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)

4. Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

5. Jharal Yow Yeh (Brisbane Broncos)

6. Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos)

7. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)

8. Matthew Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)

9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)

10. Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers)

11. Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters)

12. Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)

13. Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans)

Interchange

Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)

Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos)

Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors)

Dane Nielsen (Melbourne Storm)

Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)

Blues players and coaching staff had appealed to the New South Wales fans to brave the cold and get out to support their state and the Blue army of supporters turned out in force at ANZ Stadium, a near capacity crowd of 81,965 there to see their team snap a four-game losing streak.

It’s now GAME ON for Queensland to send long-serving skipper Darren Lockyer off on a winning note when the Maroons attempt to bounce back and secure their unprecedented sixth straight State of Origin series win in the third and final game back in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on July 6.

Last night the Blues came out firing on all cylinders, knowing it was do or die for a club that had failed to earn the right to get their name engraved on the coveted State of Origin shield for the past five years.

Dedication from coach Ricky Stewart and a new-found spirit of teamwork running through the Blues squad saw the boys from south of the Tweed match the Maroons, beating them at their own game and rewarding all the devoted Luxbet punters that had backed the Blues for an Origin upset.

Early on the commanding Canetoads held an eight to nil lead over the home side after a penalty kick from Maroon halfback Johnathan Thurston in the third minute was followed by a soft Cameron Smith try.

With opening points posted from a Queensland penalty, Luxbet punters that had money on this result would have enjoyed a very tidy payout early on!

Darting from dummy-half five metres out in the 24^th minute, hooker Smith found a lazy gap in the Blues defence to get over for what would turn out to be the Maroons’ sole try of the game, Smith paying a juicy $21 as first tryscorer of the night through Luxbet.

But the Blues displayed the never say die mentality that their 31-year adversaries are so famous for, New South Wales digging deep and scoring 18 unanswered points to set up a thrilling series decider in three weeks time.

The Maroons took an 8 – 6 lead to the sheds at halftime, the Blues getting in the game thanks to interchange forward Luke Lewis’ awesome four-pointer 10 minutes from the break.

Having come off the bench about a minute earlier, Lewis was able to capitalise off a Mitchell Pearce kick with just his second touch of the ball producing the Blues opening points as he out-leapt Queensland fullback Billy Slater to score in the corner.

Back from the break, the Blues quickly set the precedence for the second 40 minute set with Origin debutant, young Will Hopoate scoring their second try of the night in the 49^th minute.

Playing left centre for just the third time in his short but impressive NRL career to date, Hopoate was one of the many stars in Blue last night scoring a four-pointer on debut as is becoming tradition for young guns in the Origin arena.

In a blow for Hopoate, whose acrobatic putdown was nothing short of miraculous, 10 minutes after scoring he came off with a hamstring injury.

The three-tries-to-one Game Two Origin victory was sealed for the Blues when recalled fullback Anthony Minichello, playing his first Origin game in six years, found a Jamie Soward off-load to get over and put the result beyond doubt in the 77^th minute.

There was no denying the Blues played the better game of footy, much of the accolades falling to captain Paul Gallen who seems to have found his spot as prop forward; critics of Stewarts’ decision to play Gallen in front quickly and swiftly silenced.

Earning Man of the Match, Gallen played a nearly unheard of 80 minutes of Origin football last night, featuring in 18 hit-ups and making 30 tackles.

Stewart was there in the coaching box six long years ago when the Blues last won a State of Origin series, and the mastercoach is on the verge of doing it again in 2011.

After squaring the 2011 State of Origin series one-all, New South Wales have now firmed in from as much as $4.60 to $2.35 at Luxbet to reclaim bragging rights and deny the Maroons another series win.

Despite their second-round defeat, Queensland have retained favouritism now paying $1.60 at Luxbet to win the decider and the series in Origin Game 3.

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It was a night to remember for the 52,144 screaming fans that packed into Suncorp Stadium last night and for the hundreds thousands more Maroons supporters cheering along from bars and living rooms around the country.

Saluting as the odds-on favourites, the Canetoads produced the legendary Queensland spirit, heart and determination needed to come from behind and secure the first State of Origin match for 2011.

After a nicely weighted grubber kick from veteran Cameron Smith, later named Man of the Match, Maroons half-back Johnathan Thurston was able to open Queensland’s account with an entertaining try in the first five minutes.

Punters that had backed Thurston in the first tryscorer markets at Luxbet enjoyed a quick result in the first five minutes!

The champion from North Queensland converted his own four-pointer and put the home team in front six – nil in the early stages, setting up what could have been a complete Blues thrashing.

It wasn’t to be, however, with the New South Welshman showing plenty of punch in defence and holding off the hard-hitting Queenslanders who spent plenty of time inside the Blues half without luck and went to the break up six.

Back for the second half, it was another quick try for Queensland with Brett Morris making a costly mistake for the Blues, the winger failing to pick up a Cooper Cronk grubber that instead bounced right to Jharal Yow Yeh who scored on debut to give Queensland a 10 – nil advantage.

It looked like the match could creep into field goal territory, with Thurston given the chance to make it 12 – nil with a 60^th minute penalty goal.

But pressure and the breeze saw Thurston blow the attempt.

Momentum is a funny thing in the NRL and on NRL’s greatest stage, the State of Origin, momentum means even more.

The Blues found this and were able to finally post their first points of the night in the 69^th minute when Mitchell Pearce went over and then again just four minutes later thanks to Penrith flyer Michael Jennings scoring their second after dummying past Slater, Dragons kicker Jamie Soward converting two from two to steal the lead 12 – 10.

New South Wales supporters that started early celebrations were quickly taught a lesson in Maroon mentality.

In true Queensland style, captain Darren Lockyer threw a superb inside ball to Maroon No. 1 Billy Slater who went over the line to go into double figures for Origin tries and win back the game.

Proving no State of Origin clash is complete without a biff, after the whistle blew Corey Parker and Greg Bird started a punch-up that quickly faded out.

After a thrilling try from Broncos flyer turned Maroons winger Jharal Yow Yeh on debut, as well as a tough first-up Origin performance from Melbourne centre Dane Neilson, it will be a tough decision not to re-select both boys when the 2011 State of Origin Teams for game two are announced next month.

It will also be playing on the mind of Blues coach Ricky Stewart whether his five debut players last night did enough to earn a second call up, giving New South Wales the stability they need to begin a new era in the Origin arena.

The scene is now set next month’s second State of Origin clash in Sydney, game two at ANZ Stadium on June 15 to either set up a nail-biting decider for Origin Game three in July or the possibility of another Queensland whitewash to farewell Maroon’s skipper Lockyer in his swansong Origin appearance.

With Origin game one done and dusted, punters and fans across the nation will be keen for the next instalment and for the best State of Origin Betting Luxbet is the place to head.

After Wednesday night’s victory, Queensland has firmed into the $1.19 favourites to win the State of Origin Series for 2011 at Luxbet.

Meanwhile, generous $4.65 odds can be found for New South Wales to engrave their name on the Origin Shield for the first time in half a decade through Luxbet.

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After being stripped of all competition points and forced to play for pride alone this year after repeated salary cap breaches, Melbourne have had the most up and down season of any of the teams.

Newcastle are also out for the season officially finishing 11^th on the ladder.

On Sunday the purple brigade were on fire from the first blow of the whistle right until the final minute of play, storming home with a super six-tries-to-one victory.

Greg Inglis, heading off to the Brisbane Broncos next season, opened the try scoring seven minutes in and Cameron Smith converted so the home side lead by six.

In our Match Preview we had tipped Inglis to score first for Melbourne and we enjoyed a nice payout from SportsBet, as did any punters that took our footy tip!

Punters that took our Footy Tip and bet on Inglis to score first enjoyed a nice payout from SportsBet

Just three minutes later Ryan Hinchcliffe flew over for Melbourne’s second of the night and another beautiful kick from their skipper saw them up by 12 after just 11 minutes.

Smith’s conversion gave him 1000 points, the first Melbourne player to reach the milestone.

With no more points scored after the opening blast, the Storm took their 12 – nil lead to the sheds.

Back from the break Newcastle finally opened their account in the 46^th minute when Zeb Taia got over, but without the conversion they still trailed by eight and it would be a long end to the match for the Knights.

Answering back quickly, Melbourne’s Ryan Hoffman, another departing player, scored again in the 52^nd minute, the kick extending their lead to 18 – 4.

In the last half hour the Storm would play for 2010, they ran in another three unanswered tries with other departing players Brett White (69^th) and Aiden Tolman (73^rd) scoring within four minutes of each other, White’s first of the season and last for the club, before Inglis made it a match double in a stunning show for the Storm with three minutes left on the clock.

Smith converted Tolman’s try while Jeff Lima who is also leaving the club was given the honours of the final goal kick and booted it over so Melbourne won 34 – 4.

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A top four finish is now a very real possibility for the Tigers after they won their third game on the trot, following important wins over the Panthers and the Eels.

Bets made on the Tigers to ‘Make the Top 4’ at SportsBet early in the season look to pay out well

Their 12 point victory on Sunday saw them push the Titans out of the top two and into fourth spot, making their match against the Gold Coast in Round 26 a must-see.

Melbourne provided some tough competition early and kept the score tied heading into the break, but lost steam in the second half.

The Storm were first to score when Justin O’Neill got over in the seventh minute to give the visitors an early four point advantage.

This came after an early blow to the Tigers who lost centre Chris Lawrence in the fourth minute after he broke his jaw.

But the Tigers were quick to answer back with Benji Marshall putting in one of his most dazzling displays and scoring a match hat-trick to lead the Tigers to victory.

Marshall opened the Tigers account in the 13^th minute with a try that will be remembered for a long time and bought back memories of the stunner he pulled back in 2005, to tie the score four all.

Then eight minutes later Andrew Fifita pushed the home side into the lead with their second try.

Robbie Farah converted and the score was 10 – 4 in favour of the Tigers.

But before the end of the first half, the Storm were able to bring the score into a two point game thanks to a 31^st minute try from William Isa so Tigers were narrowly in front 10 – 8.

Back in the second half Marshall scored his second of the night seven minutes in, converting his own try, to steal back the lead 16 – 8.

In a real arm wrestle of a match, Melbourne narrowed the margin once again in the 57^th minute when Ryan Hoffman got their third of the night, Cameron Smith successfully converting to bring them within two points.

But in a thrilling fourth quarter effort from the home side, the Tigers scored two final tries to secure victory.

First skipper Farah got over in the 68^th minute and then Marshall completed his hat-trick three minutes from time.

But a large list of injuries has marred celebrations for the Tigers as they look set to head into the finals without a number of players including Lawrence (jaw), John Skandalis (buttocks), Wade McKinnon (hamstring), Bryce Gibbs (knee) and Liam Fulton (calf).

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Melbourne have now won four from their past five and are already revving themselves up for next season when they will be looking to atone for their salary-cap scandal that marred this year.

It was a disappointing result on Saturday for the Sharks and new coach Flanagan after they posted a shock victory over the Roosters last week, their only victory over the past two months.

Cronulla were impressive in defence early, but a second half surge by the Storm saw Melbourne swim past the circling Sharks and secure victory.

There was just one try scored in a gritty first half when Storm skipper Cameron Smith scored and converted his own try in the eighth minute.

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There was more action in the second half, Melbourne getting in three more tries while Cronulla were only able to cross once.

Winger Dane Nielsen was first over back from the break in the 49^th minute after snatching onto a Greg Inglis pass.

Sika Manu followed with another four-pointer in the 56^th minute and then Ryan Hinchcliffe in the 73^rd minute.

Smith had a top night on the boot converting all four tries to give Melbourne a total of 24 points.

Luke Covell was Cronulla’s sole point scorer when he got over in the 61^st minute, but without the conversion they were only able to put four points on the board.

The Sharks had another chance to score earlier when Blake Ferguson got across, but the video ref disallowed the try finding Ferguson had knocked on when taking the intercept.

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