Holmes ‘can’t believe’ hat-trick

MAROONS speed machine Valentine Holmes says his Origin hat-trick is the ultimate reward for the dark times when he was snubbed by the Cowboys and feared he would never play NRL.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters declared Holmes has a long-term future on the left wing after his remarkable treble helped inspire Queensland’s 22-6 victory in the Origin decider.

In the process, Holmes entered an elite club. He became just the fifth Queenslander in Origin’s 37-year history to score three tries in a game, joining Kerry Boustead (1984), Lote Tuqiri (2002), Matt Sing (2003) and Dane Gagai (2016).

But for all his finishing class, Holmes’ journey to State of Origin has been turbulent.

Just five years ago, he felt washed up at age 17 in hometown Townsville. He dreamt of playing NRL for the Cowboys, but no local scout detected anything in his game that suggested he was first-grade material.

Now he is a Queensland match-winner who possesses the youth and brilliance to one day threaten the Origin tryscoring record held by Greg Inglis, who has 18 from 30 games.

“I still can’t believe I have scored a hat-trick in State of Origin,” said Holmes, who has four tries from his first two games.

“To be able to score in this arena so many times already is awesome.

“It’s just a dream to play at this level.

“I’m on the wing so that’s what good wingers have to do ... finish off opportunities when they come.”

Holmes has now played Test and Origin football and won a premiership by the age of 21, but it took a move to Sydney as a teenager to save his career at the Sharks.

“I don’t think the Cowboys ever looked at me. I never made any rep sides in north Queensland so to be honest, I didn’t think I would ever make the NRL,” Holmes said.

“It would have been awesome to wear that Cowboys jumper and play in front of my friends and family, but I had to take a different path.

“I’ve probably had a bit of luck along the way to get to this stage, but I’ve never taken anything for granted.

“It’s unreal to pull on this Queensland jersey.”

PHOTO: CAMERON SPENCER/GETTY ’JUST A DREAM’: Valentine Holmes (left) is congratulated by Maroons teammate Jarrod Wallace after scoring one of his three tries in Origin III.