Fifita's top five Origin moments

Queensland Maroons forward David Fifita became FOG #200 when he made his State of Origin debut as a 19-year-old in 2019.

It was a dream come true.

“It means a lot… it means representing my family, my community, my state, all of my supporters… it’s what I dreamed of as a kid, so to be in the position I am today, to try and keep improving as a person and as a footballer… it means so much,” Fifita said.

“I’ve just got to keep working hard, day by day, and hopefully I get the opportunity to put the Maroons jersey on again.”

Fifita said Origin in his household as a child was “probably like most other people… the family sitting on the couch watching it”.

“You never wanted to miss any part of the game, Origin…everyone talking about it at school too… who they’re going for… Queensland or New South Wales… I’ve always been Queensland,” Fifita said.

“I’m a Brisbane boy and a Queenslander through and through… it’s in my blood.”

Fifita said growing up he enjoyed watching every player who donned maroon – “I loved them all, all the greats”.

“Then they went on that long streak… all of the players who were there were a really tight, bonded group, and they were just too good,” Fifita said.

“For myself, the one that stood out was probably GI… just so dominant… I like that.

“How he ran the ball, defended… he had a presence about it. Ben Te’o too.”

Fifita, who has played eight games for the Maroons, said he still did not consider himself in the realm of the players he looked up to growing up, but he was grateful there were children out there who looked up to him in the way he did them.

“I’ve still got a long way to go to stamp my authority in the Origin arena,” Fifita said.

“I haven’t done what I’d like to do in this arena and so for myself, I’ve just got to keep doing that in club land at the Gold Coat Titans and for all of the kids out there… it’s a dream for them to look up to me because I was in that exact same spot as a youngster… and you don’t really believe that you could do it, but I’ve done it, and it always gets me on my toes… you never know who is going to be the next David Fifita or the next up-and-coming superstar who is going to come through the ranks.

“I’m just always grateful for where I am in life and I’ve just got to take it all as it comes.”

Fifita’s top five Origin moments

1. Debut in 2019

“My debut would be number one for me. I dreamed of it as a young kid. Making my debut in 2019 under Kevie Walters, and the crew that we had, was an amazing experience. Getting that call, I’ll never forget it. To be able to represent my family and my community and everyone who supported me along my journey, was amazing.”

2. Hammer scoring in Adelaide

“Last year’s series, 2023, down in Adelaide, Game I… the odds were against us… they had a great team, New South Wales, and we were gone at the back end with about 15 minutes to go… they had it in the bag and Hammer and Munster… I’m on that left edge as well… Munster does his thing, you know, runs on the left edge there and gives Hammer the ball and off Hammer goes. I was right there, full flight… he’s there, does his thing… left step, see you later and then scores. There was still time to go in the game but that gave that relief.”

3. Collins catch for Munster to score

“A couple of moments later we had another big moment when they kicked it up and Lindsay caught it, and Munster was there in support and we scored. It was a massive moment and provided that relief in a close game. They were winning… that was their game… and we just stuck in there with the Queensland spirit. To be part of it, and to witness it first hand, was really special.”

4. JT conversion

“The conversion where JT had to kick it to send it to Game III. I think it was Game II down in Sydney and he got the kick and it sent the decider up to Queensland and Queensland won. The odds were against them, down in Sydney, packed stadium. But they went on to win the series.”

5. Greg Inglis runaway try in Melbourne in 2009

“Going back to when I was younger, watching Greg Inglis score that long range try. He was just a monster, a beast.”

Fifita noted the run of eight also deserved an honourable mention.

“Hopefully we can do that as a group, the group we have now… stick together, play great footy and represent each other and keep each other accountable,” Fifita said.