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THE DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTARY OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST SPORTING RIVALRY: ‘ORIGIN STORY’
PREMIERES TONIGHT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
In the build-up to the 2026 AMPOL State of Origin Series exclusive on Nine, the definitive tale of the biggest rivalry in Australian sport will be told in the gripping four-part documentary series ORIGIN STORY, from tonight - Wednesday, May 20 at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The explosive genesis, tribal warfare, and the deep cultural impact of Australian sport’s greatest rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland is laid bare.
Before it was a ratings behemoth and the flagship event of the rugby league season, State of Origin was a desperate experiment. In Chapter 1 – Origin of Pride viewers return to where it all started in 1980, tracking how a dying, one-sided contest was miraculously transformed into rugby league’s ultimate battleground of identity, pride, and state loyalty.
On the rugby league battlefield, New South Wales and Queensland had been at war since 1908. But for 72 years, it wasn’t a fair fight. Under the old ‘state of residence’ rule, Queensland’s finest players - chasing opportunity in wealthy Sydney clubs - were legally forced to represent New South Wales.
A single rule change ignited State of Origin, transforming a dying contest into rugby league’s fiercest rivalry driven by pride, identity, and state loyalty.
On July 8, 1980, at a packed Lang Park in Brisbane, a bold experiment was born: Game 3 would select players based on where they first fell in love with the game.
Featuring powerful storytelling, rare archival footage and firsthand reflections from the legends who lived it, the series charts the rise of State of Origin from a last-ditch experiment to a defining symbol of identity, pride and sporting excellence.
Produced by the award-winning team at Endemol Shine Australia, a Banijay Entertainment company – the creators of Married at First Sight, MasterChef Australia, Australian Survivor, as well as sports documentaries, Shaking Down the Thunder and No Holds Barred – Origin Story delivers a powerful and emotional look at the moments, players and rivalries that transformed State of Origin into the greatest spectacle in rugby league.
Endemol Shine Australia Director of Content, Marty Benson, said: “This series is something we’re incredibly proud of. The team has poured an enormous amount of passion, care and research into telling the story of State of Origin in a way that feels both cinematic and deeply authentic.
“Beyond the unforgettable moments on the field, this captures the emotion, identity and fierce pride that have made this rivalry such an enduring part of Australian sport and culture.”
Origin Story premieres tonight - Wednesday, May 20, on Channel 9 and 9Now. Check local guides for broadcast times.
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Interesting they used the MCG as the stadium in the background.
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Vice versa the Bulldogs in Melbourne.
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Allana Ferguson’s birthday flowers - so awkward. Weird questions like “lots of cuddles today?”
“I’m actually genuinely mortified about this”
“can we move on”.
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Oh dear, did they not learn from Brad Fittler’s inappropriate comments to the Olympic medal winning Fox sisters a couple of years ago (something like “do you kiss?”).
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Apparently, Brad Fittler made a “joke” about molestation during the Cowboys v Rabbitohs broadcast… surely he has to be sacked.
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He did and no he won’t be sacked. It was a dumb name and honestly he’s a complete airhead but he just had to apologise today and I think we’ll move on.
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Brad Fittler under fire for off colour commentary of Cowboys player
“Chester the Molester, he’s blown it,” Fittler said on Channel 9 in reaction to the bombed try, which you can see in the video below.
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I was more concerned about Blocker Roach on FOX saying the Warriors more than once during the Rabbits/Cows game.
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“Dallin Walezniak”
The voice of NZ Rugby League - Blocker Roach
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Starting tomorrow, 9Go will broadcast a marathon of recent SOO series. Not sure what the purpose of this is.
Tuesday 7:00 AM - 2025
Tuesday 1:00 PM - 2021
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 2022
Wednesday 1:00 AM - 2023
Wednesday 7:00 AM - 2024
Wednesday 1:00 PM - 2025
Wednesday 7:00-7:30 PM - Game 1 pregame (SA/WA only)
All times AEST.
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it’s in the lead up to this year’s State Of Origin
Relive the highs and lows of one of the nation’s greatest sporting rivalries before the 2026 series starts on Wednesday
Ah the good old footy marathons.
Used to be a thing back in the 80s/90s particularly for Seven and the VFL/AFL starting around midnight on the day of the Grand Final.
Can’t recall if Seven or Ten did it when they had the rugby league rights then, Nine only did it once (in 1993).
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