If you met someone from a distant land and they asked you a bunch of questions about Australia, you'd probably be like "uugggh". As a New Zealander you'd just be annoyed they were asking all these questions about Aussie, but you can offer a simple answer. You can point to State of Origin, more specifically Game 3 and say "that's Australia". Everything about Game 3, for me summed up Australia, some of it awesomely positive and some of it kinda negative. But on the whole, the passion, the pride, the effort and the brutal nature of the game were all very Australian.

Huh? So you're telling me that we'd get a crowd like that for a dead rubber game in New Zealand as well? Don't be daft.

State of Origin 2014 wasn't the most entertaining of all time, but it sure as hell was one of the best. Before I clutch at straws and go for a broad perspective on the series, I must look at Game 3 itself because it was pretty weird. From the outset you had the Queenslanders repaying the favour and making NSW wait out on the field for what seemed like an hour. The response when QLD ran out on to the field was something else as well and it set the tone for the evening, with QLD out to gatecrash the party.

And they did. You get the feeling that despite all the mutual respect both teams share, they really like to mess with each other. QLD looked keen to pour a bit of water on the fire and the way they celebrated tries and their victory weren't over the top ... but they were extremely happy to score points that didn't really mean a whole lot. They were trying to send a message, to celebrate something on their home turf, to remind themselves and their fans and NSW that they could still play footy. They did all that, but at the end of the night Paul Gallen held the shield aloft.

Daly Cherry-Evans showed what a class act he is coming on for Corey Parker late in the first half. DCE made a few tackles in a row in one set and then busted the game wide open in another to set up Cameron Smith. There aren't many NRL halves who could have a run at lock in the NRL ... let alone State of Origin. It was kind of telling that it was DCE who did the damage initially after QLD had struggled to break down NSW's defence. Don't take it as me saying DCE's gonna get in over Jonathan Thurston or Cooper Cronk next season, but if all three of them are available they provide quite a threat.

The only other specific thing I want to touch on from game 3, is Jacob Lillyman. Lillyman was definitely up there with one of the best players and you had to remind yourself that Matt Scott wasn't playing because Lillyman was doing and equal, if not better job. Every carry, the 'Bull' made metres, he poked through the line and he got a quick play the ball, which for any Warriors fan (NSW or QLD supporter or neutral) would have been awesome to see.

As much as QLD were there to celebrate ... themselves, NSW were there to ensure that no one ruined their moment. A moment which was thanks largely to the great work of Laurie Daley. Daley apparently coached a lot different this year, giving more of himself to the players and the team while also allowing players greater responsibility - giving Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds strong leadership roles is just one example. Daley looked to have the admiration and respect of all his players, thanks not only to his work on the training field etc but also it the way he acted through adversity. Think back to before the start of the series, a certain lady in a yellow dress and a lad by the name of Mitchell Pearce ... ah yes you remember. It's safe to say that Daley kinda loved Pearce, saying that he was going to be the first choice halfback and so on, so for Daley to then give Pearce the flick after the dramas was a big call.

Big calls earn respect. They send a message and they provide opportunity. Daley made it clear what this NSW team was about as well as providing Trent Hodkinson with the number 7 jersey. For me, this is probably the most important factor because besides the fact that Hodkinson's impact on the series was preeeeeeetty huge, it showed that this is very much Daley's reign. A line in the sand had been drawn and NSW's mentality had been changed.

This mentality or attitude shift was clearly evident on the field. The way NSW would consistently turn up and put their bodies in the way was something that had possibly been lacking before. You know what you're going to get with the likes of Gallen, Greg Bird, Beau Scott but having someone like Aaron Woods there gave NSW an edge. Woods must be an absolute dick to play against but he's a fine prop and someone who has the attitude, skill set and ability to provide something different.

In a series that was as tough as ever, both sides were able to blood new young players. Not something you usually see, but a great experience nonetheless and you'd imagine that the likes of Daniel Tupou, Hodkinson, Aiden Guerra and Will Chambers will be much better off for being thrown in to the fire. Neither side got the advantage here - they both gave young guys a chance and they all delivered which is great for the game. Many wondered how NSW would find a winning edge or who's next in line for QLD? Both sides went a long way to establishing themselves for the upcoming years.

NSW won the series 2-1. QLD kinda had the penultimate laugh winning game 3 ... but the big winner of 2014's series was the fan. We got to witness some of the most brutal, trench warfare type of rugby league that I have ever seen. I am not old enough to know what it was like in the 70's or 80's, but I am old enough to know that Origin is sold on the fights, the punch ups. This series showed me a level of footy I've never witnessed where guys can pretty much almost do whatever they want, it was awesome. This brutality was also mixed in with some exciting footy which largely came from game 3, which balanced out the series. We as the fan got to experience everything you could want from rugby league.

We also got some amazing behind the scenes type of stuff. We at the Nichey Niche Cache like to question the norm and the large media companies, but Channel 9's coverage also gave the fan every thing they could want from a sporting event. Not so much Phil Gould's Shakespeare impersonation, but more actual information. Having Brad Fitler in the changing room whispering the game plan, shit, hearing what Laurie Daley told his troops pre-match - that's awesome. Having Cam Smith, Mal Meninga, Daley etc be so open really gives the fan a totally different experience to just sitting down and watching the game. Sure, you could pick it a part and find some negatives, but I loved it, it gave me a reason to tune in early to make sure I caught all the interesting little things pre-game ... as opposed to the normal bullshit we get.

In a way, 2014's series was perfect. NSW won and broke the streak while QLD showed what they're capable of which sets a pretty awesome scene for next year. Either way, it's hard to look back and talk badly about it because it offered enjoyment on all fronts and left my belly full. Now for the come down, to resume normal NRL service.