Feels like the first time … all over again.
That’s the emotion sweeping through Liam Martin on his return to the NSW Origin team for next Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium.
The back-rower played 15 consecutive Origin matches from his debut in Game One 2021 to Game Three last year but after injury brought that sequence to a halt, he had all but resigned himself to missing out on that beloved Blues jersey in 2026.
Liam Martin Try
“When I got the call last night (Sunday) it was like the first time again,” Martin said.
“My heart was racing, I had the jitters, because coming into a decider is also so exciting.
“Obviously I missed the first two games and you’ve got boys like Haumole (Olakau’atu) and Hudson (Young) who are killing it at the moment with their unbelievable form.
“I sort of thought I might not make it. I knew if I got the opportunity I’d be ready to rip in.”
Martin says he feels ready to burst with the amount of physical energy he’s feeling now.
He has only played eight NRL games this year, missing six weeks with a knee injury before returning in Round 13.
“My body is feeling good. I’m ready to go,” he said.
“I obviously had the knee injury earlier but it’s come good and there’s no dramas there whatsoever.”
The injury forced Martin to watch the opening two games of the series from the living room, with the second match in particular an excruciating watch.
NSW stormed home to claim the opener in historic fashion at Accor Stadium before they let a half-time lead slip to fall 44-24 in front of a record crowd at the MCG.
Blues v Maroons - Game II, 2026
Having sat through the two matches from the couch, it's an experience he doesn't want to endure again.
“Both games I was at home on my own as I didn’t really want to watch it with anyone else,” Martin s/aid.
“I was pacing the lounge room for 99 per cent of each match.
“There were a few expletives at the television as I’m very passionate about this jersey, so to sit and watch it as a fan was a very different feeling.”
Another point of difference is not having his Penrith teammate Brian To’o with him in camp.
The pair made their Origin debuts together in Game One of the 2021 campaign, winning that match 50-6 in Townsville and then claiming the series in Game Two at Suncorp Stadium.
Maroons v Blues
“Bizza reached out last night, when he found out I was in the team but he wasn’t,” Martin said.
“He wished me all the best and that’s what he’s like.
“I told him it wouldn’t be the same without him as I’ve been through so much of my career with him always there – Origins, grand finals, injuries. He’s one of my best mates.”
While the Blues have historically struggled north of the border, Suncorp Stadium holds no demons for Martin. He has won three of his five Origins there including the 2024 decider.
“It is a totally different energy,” he said. “People feel like they’re right on top of you so they don’t call it ‘The Cauldron’ for nothing.
“You’ve got no friends there apart from your teammates on the field with you.
“There’s just so much noise. Sometimes it gets so loud you’ve got to scream at each other.”
It all comes down to the decider when Queensland host NSW in Game Three of the State of Origin series on Wednesday July 8 at Suncorp Stadium. Don't miss a moment on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL.
