Exclusive QLD dressing room photos, Origin’s greatest bolter and NRLW anxiety

Kenty and Adam Peacock dive into the secret world of the Queensland Maroons, uncovering the psychological triggers Billy Slater is using to galvanise his side ahead of the State of Origin decider. From hidden dressing room posters to the rise of the game’s biggest bolters, the episode provides a raw look at the tactics and pressures of the modern game.

The Spirit of ‘95: Slater’s Dressing Room Secret

The Maroons have long been masters of "myth building," but Kent revealed exclusive details of how Billy Slater took things to a new level for the second game in Perth. To inspire his underdogs, Slater leaned heavily on the legendary 1995 Queensland side that won against all odds.

Inside the dressing room, players arrived to find their individual lockers adorned with large posters of the corresponding player from that 1995 team. Tom Dearden found himself staring at a photo of Adrian Lam, while other players saw the likes of Trevor "The Axe" Gillmeister.

"It was their little private moment," Kent explained. "Just to remind you look what these guys did against all the odds in 1995, you guys are capable of it tonight." The subtle, private nature of the gesture was designed to create a "trigger" for the players, grounding them in the history of the jersey before they took the field.

The Rise of the Origin Bolter: Shibasaki’s $30,000 Payday

The discussion turned to the incredible story of Gehamat Shibasaki, arguably one of the greatest "bolters" in Origin history. Currently on a train and trial contract with the Broncos, Shibasaki is reportedly earning around £40,000 (roughly $80,000 AUD) a year. By playing in the Origin decider, he stands to earn nearly half his annual salary in a single night.

"Right now, he's going to earn half his salary playing this game," Kent noted. Shibasaki’s journey has been that of a journeyman, moving between the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, and even Japanese rugby before finding his way back to first grade. His selection is a testament to Slater’s eye for defensive reliability and "habits off the ball" over high-priced reputations.

The hosts compared Shibasaki to other famous bolters like Ben Ikin, who was famously picked after just four top-flight games in 1995. Ikin’s own father was so shocked by the news he allegedly asked, "Is there two Ben Ikins in Queensland?"

Growing Pains: The NRLW Expansion Anxiety

As the NRLW season prepares for kickoff, Kent raised concerns about the speed of the competition’s expansion. With the league growing to 12 teams, including the addition of the Bulldogs and the return of the Warriors, the worry remains that the talent pool is being stretched too thin before the necessary infrastructure is in place.

"The infrastructure down below is not there. The development down below is not there, and we're in a rush to get there," Kent cautioned. He argued that while the push for equality is vital, the quality of the product must remain the priority. "The worst thing the NRL can do is to broaden the competition enough that when people sit down and watch it, they go 'Oh, this is horrible'."

Truth and Triviality: Seibold’s Perspective

The episode also touched on Anthony Seibold’s recent comments regarding the pressure of coaching. Seibold drew parallels between the stresses of rugby league and the real-world horrors of war and natural disasters, a move that sparked a mixed reaction across the league world.

Kent, having covered conflicts in Iraq during his career as a journalist, admired the perspective. "I like the fact that Seibold basically put it all in its place," he said. "Losing a game of footy is upsetting... but you're not going to a funeral next week."

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.