The State of Origin 2009 betting

The Legend Mal Meninga

The former legendary centre had become the top point-scorer for Queensland in the series as a player, bringing in winning bets for those who backed him in State of Origin betting.

And his three seasons of coaching Queensland have all resulted in victories, so the Sate of Origin betting stakes will be on him to make it four in a row in 2009.

The Queensland side were underdogs in State of Origin betting in 2006 when he first took over, as they had not won the series outright since 2001. But a 2-1 success that year sealed his status as an icon of the game, and he made it two wins in 2007.

The way he helped the Maroons to achieve the hat-trick in 2008 was something special, and he will influence State of Origin betting on the strength of his motivation and inspiration.

Down 1-0 from the first game, where his side took too long to get into gear, he helped turn things around as Queensland made 10 personnel changes for Origin II including what was to be a vital switch in bringing in Darius Boyd.

Boyd, on his debut, scored Queensland's first two tries, and with Johnathan Thurston kicking two goals they led 16-0 at half time. Whatever words Meninga said to his side at half-time worked a treat as they kept New South Wales scoreless in the second half and ran out 30-0 winners. Keeping the Blues off the scoreboard was not something that would have featured in too many people's State of Origin betting plans, but it was a personal triumph for Meninga.

Things were tight in State of Origin betting for game three, with the Blues being at home at ANZ Stadium, and it proved to be a classic Origin encounter.

The Queensland gameplan was rocked when Scott Prince suffered a broken arm early in the game, but they were only 10-8 down at the break and the in-game State of Origin betting saw many people side with Queensland to pull off the victory.

Storm star Billy Slater was the man who sealed it for Queensland by scoring under the posts. He would have been a popular choice in State of Origin betting to score a try in the game as he was having such a standout season.

Queensland held firm in the face of a barrage of attack from the Blues to seal a "three-peat", equalling the two they achieved in the 1980s.

It was not only State of Origin betting that proved popular during the series, as it was watched by a record TV audience of more than 2.5 million.

What odds in State of Origin betting that the Maroons will do it again this year and frustrate New South Wales once more?