Game One of this year's Holden State of Origin Series marks the 100th clash between fierce rugby league rivals New South Wales and Queensland. To mark the occasion NRL.com is reliving 100 of the most iconic moments of the past 34 years of this compelling contest. Right through to Game Three on July 9, we'll publish videos of the Milestones, Superstars, Gamebreakers, Superplays, Heroes, Emotions and Controversy - all of the exciting elements that have made Origin the most-watched spectacle in rugby league. This week: Origin's Greatest Emotions.
38. Game Two, 1996: Craig Greenhill is first man to be sent off in an Origin match.
Craig Greenhill represented his country, state and overcame two fractured vertebrae in his neck to play almost 200 games for the Sharks, Panthers, Hull FC and Castleford in a career that spanned a decade in the top grade, but unfortunately the former Wynnum-Manly prop will be forever remembered for one of the more unsavory incidents in Origin history. With the Maroons smarting from a comprehensive loss in Game One at Lang Park both sides came out firing before the Blues pushed out to a 16-6 lead midway through the second half. Then in the 62nd minute Greenhill never looked like missing with a swinging arm that caught NSW prop Paul Harragon flush on the jaw, giving referee David Manson little option but to march Greenhill for the first time in 47 interstate clashes. A specially convened State of Origin judiciary committee suspended the then-Cronulla forward for four matches, and Greenhill had to wait three years before he could force his way back into the Queensland side.
