Cooper Cronk shoots down State of Origin 'myth' as Queensland face damning MCG reality

Maroons great Cooper Cronk has shut down the theory the Maroons are at a disadvantage at the MCG in State of Origin with their poor record in Melbourne a talking point heading into Game 2. Billy Slater and his men are looking to win their third straight series on Wednesday after obliterating the the Blues in Game 1 in Sydney.

However, a new-look Blues outfit is heading into Game 2 with confidence having won four of the five games played at the MCG. The last time the Maroons won at the MCG was in 1995 under coach Paul Vautin. The last time an Origin game was played at the MCG was in 2018 when the Blues won 22-12.

The surface in Melbourne is traditionally more slippery than the other venues because of the extra dew at night. Many Blues fans are confident heading into Game 2 with a new-look team and a proven track record.

However, Maroons great Cronk has moved to dispel any 'advantage' Blues fans think their state might have when it comes to playing at the MCG in front of 90,000 supporters. "It's a myth," Cronk said of any major factor that favours the Blues.

“I understand why people say (there’s a difference) but the field is exactly the same size, the posts are the same distance apart, there’s corner posts and big white lines to determine where you need to kick.” While the Blues are facing another series defeat, coach Michael Maguire has made a number of changes to the team.

This has included dropping Nicho Hynes for Eels halfback Mitchell Moses for Game 2. And Cronk highlighted the kicking game as one of the key areas a team needs to win at the MCG.

Cooper Cronk highlights vital tactic for MCG conditions

Cronk, one of the greatest halfbacks to play NRL, said the conditions will favour the team that kicks better in general play on the night. Although he was unable to seperate between the skills of Daly Cherry-Evans and Moses to who will give their team the ascendency.

“The key is for kickers to get a lot of reps at the MCG at the Captain’s Run,” Cronk added. “The other thing that will play a part is there will be conditions in terms of dew on the surface, that will play a part in the kicking game, but the kickers at this level should not be getting it wrong.

“I think Mitch Moses has a very good kicking game in terms of the long and the short, but Cherry-Evans has played at this level a long time and we saw what he did in Game I. In terms of who can control the bounce of the ball, that’s probably the key part as opposed to who has a better kicking game.”

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The Blues will be relying on the return of Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell to make a difference to the NSW backline in the clash. Mitchell has never been involved in an Origin series loss and could be the difference heading to a Game 3 decider. Slater has taken a gamble and selected Kurt Capewell on the bench with Selwyn Cobbo dropping out of the Maroons 17 after a setback with injuries.

Queensland won't carry a utility on the bench in Game 2, which many have criticised since Reece Walsh left Game 1 in just the seventh minute after a head-high tackle. Cobbo was then used in the backline as the Maroons made a reshuffle.