QUEENSLAND skipper Cameron Smith almost copping a raised elbow from Melbourne Storm teammate Ryan Hoffman and Israel Folau's stunning AFL-style "mark" were the big talking points after Wednesday night's thrilling state-of-origin series decider — at least south of the Murray River.
Even the Sydney Swans' frequent flyer Leo Barry — no stranger to unforgettable marks himself — liked what he saw.
"It was a great mark. Yeah, I was impressed," Barry said. "Probably the first reaction I had was, 'why don't more of them take the overhead marks more times?' Because if you're able to master the art of taking an overhead mark, you could score a lot more tries."
Folau revealed after his spectacular second try during Queensland's 16-10 series decider — where he leaped above Anthony Quinn to take the ball above his head before planting it for a try when almost upside down — had come from several years of practising the hallmark trait of Melbourne's dominant football code. It is a feature that Folau has now become famous for in rugby league circles.
For several years the Storm has done some cross-training with AFL clubs, including Geelong, Richmond, North Melbourne and Collingwood, with the Storm giving tips on defensive techniques in return.
"Whenever we've gone to the AFL sides and trained they've given us a fair bit of information on how to jump and catch like the AFL style," Folau said.
"I think with my jumping I'm lucky to have that talent there but it took me a fair bit of time to try and get the AFL style of catching down pat … I've still got areas to get my technique right but I'm still happy about how I'm jumping at the moment."
Melbourne assistant coach Michael Maguire went even further. "Over the past two years, Izzy's probably revolutionised catching in the game."
Maguire has borrowed several of his training methods from the AFL and said that Folau and fellow high-ball star Greg Inglis had been much influenced by their adopted surroundings.
"I think they'd definitely watch AFL, and this is definitely the best place to learn how to catch, so from seeing that game and a lot of their own practice, they've added that dimension," Maguire said.
While the Broncos-bound Folau looks perfectly happy in the league limelight, Maguire reckons he wouldn't be out of place in the rival code.
"I reckon there was plenty of AFL coaches watching last night thinking 'I wouldn't mind him on our side'," he said.
Indeed, Sydney coach Paul Roos said the act was "quite spectacular" and how it had captured the public imagination "probably reinforces what a great part of the game it is for AFL".
"The thing I found exciting about it was his ability to translate the mark into a try. It was quite exciting to see him twist his body and put the ball down on the ground," Roos said.
Smith said the Storm was in a unique position to get an advantage over rivals.
"Why not use AFL teams? They're right on our doorstep," he said.
He was not quite so enthusiastic about Hoffman's performance.
Smith yesterday said he had been "filthy" at the time of the incident in the first half and still could not understand why the Blues back-rower had his elbow cocked at his head in the first place. He said Hoffman told him that he "didn't mean to do it and he was pulling out of it".
"I had a few words with him after he tried to knock me out," Smith said yesterday. "I spoke to him briefly after the match when we were shaking hands and Hoffy was very apologetic. I don't think he would have meant to do it but when it happened I sort of asked the question, why would his elbow be up there in the first place?
"I know he's not that type of player. I've never seen him do that when he's been playing for the Storm, so maybe (it was) in the heat of the moment it just happened, I'd like to think."
Hoffman said the incident stemmed from a mistimed attempted charge-down. "I came through putting kick pressure on and probably didn't do it the best way," Hoffman said. "He took exception to it, I apologised (and it's) all done and dusted."
Smith said he had accepted the apology. "I was a bit filthy at the time but as soon as it finished we got the penalty and I got on with it. That's what you do in footy. Hoffy's a good bloke, he's a good mate of mine, so it's gone now."
When asked if a black right eye had anything to do with the Hoffman incident, Smith jokingly replied: "No. He would have had a couple of missing teeth if he got me".
