Down 0-2 in this year's State of Origin series, Queensland has been buoyed by some remarkable supporters going into the third and final contest of the series.
On top of a bumper turnout to the Fraser Coast Fan Day, the number of people lining the fences at the team's base at Sanctuary Cove has swelled down the home stretch, rather than thinned.
One familiar face and voice who has been on the sideline all throughout the 2018 series is Timothy Wesener.
'Timmy' as he is known by players and staff, has travelled down from Waterford in all weather conditions, catching public transport up to 3 hours in each direction.
"Rugby league is the best sport ever," proclaimed Wesener, 28.
"I get a boost from being around the players. I care about the players.
"It doesn't worry me how long it takes me to travel to training if I get to hang out with the boys."
In a surreal moment, Wesener brought a life-size cut-out of Dane Gagai to training before Game III, causing bewilderment from Gagai's young son, who was also on the sidelines.
This past week there have been children from the Starlight Children's Foundation, invited down by Queensland captain Billy Slater.
Before Game I, strong support was also shown by Endeavour Foundation Labrador, with the outing lifting spirits on both sides of the fence.
In Hervey Bay, one of the people lining up to grab signatures was young Indigenous performer Murrandah Shillingsworth.
Told he would not live past his first birthday due to a complex combination of medical conditions, Shillingsworth is now almost 20.
He was born premature, with a hole in his heart and has both Kabuki Syndrome and Opitz C Syndrome, believed to be the first person in the world with both conditions.
Doctors said if he survived as a child, he wouldn't be able to walk, talk or eat properly, however Murrandah – named after a great Aboriginal warrior – has proven everybody wrong.
He is heavily involved in ceremonial Aboriginal dance and has held audience with renowned performers like Xavier Rudd.
Father Goomblar was responsible for the smoking ceremony which officially welcomed the Queensland Origin team to Hervey Bay.
Maroons touching hearts in the community
He said Murrandah's support of the Origin side and love of rugby league in general had helped keep him alive.
Early in preparations for Game III, double lung transplant survivor Heath Lewis was invited to pose with the Maroons for the official team photo.
Lewis, who had to learn to read and write again after suffering multiple strokes following his operation, described the Queensland spirit as his inspiration for survival.
To all our supporters in all corners of the globe – thank you!
