May 23: Jennings' 109 metre try; Coyne's miracle
On this day, Michael Jennings ran 109 metres for a try, Paul Sironen was born, while Mark Coyne scores arguably the most iconic Origin four-pointer.
1943
Harry Eden is born in Kogarah, NSW. Eden played with the Dragons, Roosters and Rabbitohs and still holds the record for most tries by a prop (11) in a single season. He was the uncle of former NRL player Mike Eden and passed away in 2006 aged 63.
1965
Future Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen is born. Sironen played 247 games from 1985 to 1998 with the Tigers. He represented Australia 23 times and also played 14 Origin games for NSW.
1989
Queensland draws first blood in the 1989 Winfield State of Origin series with a 36-6 hammering of the Blues at Lang Park. It is the biggest win in Origin history. Queensland prop Martin Bella wins the man of the match award.
1994
A try, described by the Sydney Morning Herald as “the try from hell” to Maroons replacement Mark Coyne robs NSW of victory in the State of Origin opener at the Sydney Football Stadium. Leading 12-4 with five minutes to play, the Blues are beaten 16-12 by a gallant Queensland.
Coyne scores match-winner in game one of 94
Coyne played the ball on that last play but backed up another 70 metres up the field and held his position on the right wing to collect the final pass from Meninga, scramble through the attempted tackles of Fittler, Stuart and Elias to score what Warren iconically describes as "that’s not a try, that’s a miracle".
2009
Penrith centre Michael Jennings scores a slashing 109-metre try as the Panthers crush the Sydney Roosters 48-6 at CUA Stadium.
2012
The opening State of Origin clash at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium ends in a firestorm of controversy when video referee Sean Hampstead awards Queensland centre Greg Inglis a contentious try that helps lift the Maroons to an 18-10 victory.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
