COREY PARKER FOX LEAGUE

he makes his return to the Origin arena tonight.

For years Pearce has been the fall guy for the Blues, he was the man blamed for New South Wales’ title drought during Queensland’s decade of dominance, but like ratbags do, he didn’t stand around kicking stones, he continually picked himself up and went again.

Pearce is older, more experience and in better form than he’s ever been before and if Queensland underestimate him for a second he’ll makee them pay.

Aand that takes us to Maloney.

Maloney was ththeh Blues’ third cchoiceh five-eighth inn game two, but wawasas the Blue’s best playplayer.e

Maloneymaloo is the emotionaltional heartbeatheartbb of the

Blues, his enthusiasmenth on the field is infectious, yes, he’s got an error or two in his game, but you know when the game is on the line it will be Maloney who wants his hands on the ball.

We all know that the big games are won in the middle and there’s no question that the pack that comes out on top tonight will give their side the best chance of victory.

But for mine, it will be whoever wins the battle of the ratbags: Munster and Norman for the Maroons and Pearce and Maloney for the Blues, that will decide the decider in Sydney.

Don’t miss NRL 360’s Origin review with Kevin Walters and Greg Alexander on Thursday night at 6.30pm on FOX LEAGUE and streamed on Foxtel Now. HE’S the son of a shift-working servo attendant and single mum, a kid from Logan who idolised Darren Lockyer, who now gets his chance to don the famous Maroons No.6 jersey.

Corey Norman has long been touted for State of Origin, but at 28, those days looked increasingly unlikely.

Now he finds himself thrust on to the greatest stage of all, an Origin decider, the stuff of his dreams way back wearing the white, green and red of the Beenleigh Lions.

When Norman runs out on Anzstadium tonight, hewon’t be alone. His mum Sandy will be there too.

The woman who raised him, who has been there for every step, every career crossroad and every controversy, who was fittingly his first point of call when he heard of his debut.

“Iwas actually driving to one

Corey Norman owes all his success to his mother, writes MATTY HOLDSWORTH

of the boy’s houses. I was so excited. I had a little ‘yes’ moment. Then obviously rang Mumwho was over the moon,” Norman said.

“There were so many emotions running through, I’m just really honoured.

“She had a massive impact. Single parent, it’s only ever been me and Mum. I wouldn’t be here without her. She worked overtime, took me to all my games. It’s a reward for her as well.

“She broke down in tears. It was actually a bit upsetting listening to her cry, but that’s all her hard work.”

Norman wasn’t brought up with a silver spoon in his mouth, he’s a product of working-class roots.

The five-eighth famously caught the train from Eagleby to rugby league nursery Keebra Park to and from home each day.

“I don’t need to bring it up. It is what it is,” he said when asked about his humble upbringings. “We all do what we need to do, it’s made me who I am today. Mum made sure I had everything right.

“As a kid (Origin) was all you wanted to do. Locky was the big one. He was just a freak.”

Norman might be going into the lion’s den but he says his form is good enough.

He’s survived controversy, been branded a likable bad boy, and this year overcame a fractured cheekbone which could have derailed his Origin ambitions.

“It’s no secret there,” he said of the controversy.

“(This year) I’ve just put my head down and really knuckled down.

“It doesmean a lot. I amvery privileged and honoured Kevvie (Walters) has faith in me. Now all I can do is prepare my best and come Wednesday, do my best.

“If you’re playing good enough footy and the opportunity arises, you get the nod. I always try to playmy best football and if something happens it happens.

“We will see (how I go) Wednesday. I am always confident in my own ability. Who doesn’t want to play State of Origin?”