Blues spurred by the echoes of 2005 Class of 2013: the Blues are looking for their first series win since 2005. Who would have thought it would become a "where were you" moment? In 2005, NSW won a State of Origin series, no-one realising back then that they would not win another for at least seven series. Asking the players charged with ending the streak where they were in 2005, when the Blues last tasted such success, showed what a dry run it had been. Some were still at school, the vast majority had not played State of Origin. Almost to a man, they remembered that series; Andrew Johns' comeback in game two, and his wonderful performance in the game-three decider in Brisbane. "I was playing Flegg at the Roosters": Mitchell Pearce. Mitchell Pearce I would have been 16. I was playing Flegg at the Roosters. I remember watching game two at home. I used to get the footy and throw it around the hallway. Joey was on fire that night. Then he killed it up there in game three. Hopefully we can re-do it. It was always something I wanted to do. I'm always pinching myself to be doing something so special. Greg Bird "I was playing first grade at the Sharks under Stuart Raper": Paul Gallen. I was bouncing back from a tough year personally. Origin was the last thing on my mind. I don't even really remember it - that's how far back it was, I guess. I was at Cronulla - I was injured most of the year. I spent most of '05 in a boot, and on crutches [due to a foot injury]. It wasn't the best year for me, although I'll put up with being in a boot for the rest of the year if we win this series. Josh Dugan I was playing schoolboys footy for Marist College in Canberra. I remember watching the Origin on TV at home. "I was leading try-scorer in the Premier League": Nathan Merritt. Luke Lewis I played in the winning 2004 series but I missed a lot of games in 2005 and didn't play in the series. It was a year to forget. It was so good to see NSW win, even if I wasn't playing. I love watching footy. You would rather be part of it, but it's good seeing your mates running around. It would have been a great couple of weeks for them. Brett Morris I was playing Jersey Flegg for the Dragons. I remember Johns had a sensational game in Brisbane. Aaron Woods I was at school, in year 9 at Holy Cross. I was playing league, but I was just mucking around with mates in those days, not thinking I'd be playing professional footy, that's for sure. That was the year that Joey came back. I'm a massive rugby league supporter, obviously, and for him to come back . . . the way he played in game two, set up some tries, was unbelievable. Josh Reynolds Is that when Joey came back? I was about 15 then, I was obviously at school and you look forward to the game all day. I might have been at footy training that night. For someone like Joey Johns to come back and win the series for them was pretty special. I loved Origin from a young age and that was one of the great years for NSW. Andrew Fifita I was playing under-15s for St Patrick's, Blacktown. We went on to win the grand final that year. Josh Morris I was 19 and still playing Jersey Flegg for the Dragons. We won the comp that year. Steve Price was the coach, and from that side, I think about 13 or 14 went on to play first grade. It was a great year. We played Parramatta in the grand final - Beau Ryan scored the winner, and we had a nice little party after that. [Twin brother] Brett was in the side, as well as Jason Nightingale, Chris Houston, Daryl Millard, George Ndaira, Charlie Leano, Dan Hunt, Danny Wicks. I also played in the NSW under-19s that year in an Origin curtain-raiser, and we got pumped by Queensland at Suncorp. But I watched the top squad win the series. Hopefully we can do the same this year. Ryan Hoffman I was at Melbourne in '05. I watched Origin in Melbourne, at Channel Nine, with all the guys from the Storm. We didn't get live Origins in Melbourne back then so I remember where I was watching it. Trent Merrin I was still in school at Warilla High [on the South Coast], in year 9. Every State of Origin, and 2005 wouldn't have been different, I would always get comfy on the lounge with my family and cheer on NSW. I used to look at my idols running out there and think that I wanted to do it one day. Especially being in high school - that's something I always wanted to do. I always watched the games thinking that I would love to be part of it. It was the big dream to get there and I worked hard to try and achieve it, but you just didn't know if you would. The passion my family and I had for NSW has always been strong. Michael Jennings I was only just starting off at Penrith, I was playing SG Ball. Back then we'd won three series in a row . . . we felt NSW would long be the dominant state. James Maloney I was playing on the Central Coast for Ourimbah. Playing up there, against grown men as a young fella, it's all helped me get to where I am now. Anthony Watmough I was at Manly that year, and I played in the first game of the series. Paul Gallen I was playing first grade at the Sharks under Stuart Raper. I remember Joey had a blinder of a game . . . it was one of the best individual performances I reckon I've seen in Origin. Robbie Farah It was a great year; Tigers won the premiership, Liverpool won the Champions League, NSW won Origin. I still remember watching Origin at my brother's place. Game one was on the Wednesday night, obviously, and we all slept over and woke up and watched the soccer final in the morning. Joey coming back - I remember that second game when he just brained it. Joey put a kick in and it hit the post, and 'Mini' [Anthony Minichiello] scored. Joey put 'Bedsy' [Danny Buderus] over for a try off a little inside pass. Nathan Merritt It was my second year at Cronulla. I played Premier League that year [for Newtown]. I was leading try-scorer in the Premier League. I think I only got two chances to play first grade that year. That was a bit disappointing, but I had a good time playing for the Jets. We had a good year. We made the grand final, but just got beat. I can't really remember much of Origin that year. I used to watch Origin at home. The best atmosphere was always at home, when you get a chance to listen to everything . . . the pre-game . . . Gus. It's amazing to be playing it now. Total votes: 143.