NSW Blues Make History With Women's Origin Clean Sweep

For the first time in Women's State of Origin history, NSW has swept all three games, capping off an emotional campaign on the Gold Coast.

The Blues completed their historic 3-0 victory over Queensland at a rain-soaked Robina Stadium on May 28, with captain Isabelle Kelly speechless after the final whistle. Just last year, Kelly was in tears after missing the clean sweep in Game III, making this year's achievement even sweeter.

"Pretty speechless. We didn't make it very easy for ourselves," Kelly said through tears of joy. "This group felt really special, even compared to previous years."

The win represents how far women's rugby league has come. Kelly recalled playing alongside current squad members Kezie Apps and Corban Baxter, plus assistant coach Ruan Sims, in the 2016 game when NSW first beat Queensland in the old interstate challenge.

Back rower Yasmin Meakes won the newly renamed Katrina Fanning Medal as player of the series. She seemed genuinely surprised by the honor, thanking coach John Strange and her teammates for making it "so much fun."

Why This Inspires

The respect and love these players show for their coach reveals something deeper than athletic achievement. Multiple players, including Kelly and Jaime Chapman, spoke emotionally about how Strange has made them better people, not just better players.

"I could speak for days about Strangey," Kelly said. "One thing I really love about him is he brings out the best in everyone."

That culture of genuine care and personal growth created the safe environment where these athletes could make history together. Apps, a 20-game veteran, was crying tears of joy at full-time alongside her teammates.

Queensland's future looks bright too, with captain Lauren Brown highlighting standout performances from debutants Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Lillian Yarrow despite the sweep. Maroons coach Nathan Cross called Mino-Sinapati a "10/10 human being" and said he'd coach for 50 years if he could have 17 players like her.

"We're coming, and we'll see them next year," Cross promised.

The series showcased not just athletic excellence but the kind of leadership and team culture that transforms sports into something meaningful. Kelly summed it up perfectly: "I think I could bow out now and I'd probably be the happiest I've ever been."