1 / 36

Allan Langer - "Alfie", the smallest man for the biggest job. QLD legend who will be remembered as that guy who sunk NSW in 2001 after returning from England. (Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images).

2 / 36

Gorden Tallis - Possibly the most passionate Queenslander to ever wear a Maroon jumper. (Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

3 / 36

Wally Lewis - Immortal "King Wally" played 31 times for the Maroons in an Origin career spanning 12 years. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

4 / 36

Arthur Beetson - If Wally Lewis is rightfully the king of State of Origin, this man is the Godfather. Captained the inaugural Queensland team way back in 1980. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

5 / 36

Trevor Gillmeister - Famous for leading the victorious, underdog QLD side in 1995, Gillmeister was an inspiration for the Maroons. (Photo by Getty Images)

6 / 36

Darren Lockyer - Holds the record for the most amount of appearances in Origin football with 36. Pioneered Queensland's run of 8 consecutive series wins. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

7 / 36

Mal Meninga - Current coach of the Maroons and one of the greatest to ever play the game. (Photo by Getty Images)

8 / 36

Paul "Fatty" Vautin - One of the most underrated players to ever play. During the Super League War, "Fatty" coached a depleted and inexperienced QLD side to a 3-0 win and the greatest Origin upset of all time. (Photo by Sean Garnsworthy/Getty Images)

9 / 36

Shane Webcke - The big prop was as tough as they came. Was always up for a scrap with any New South Welshman. (Photo by Darren England/Getty Images)

10 / 36

Petero Civoniceva - One of the most consistent performers for QLD, he rarely played a bad game. (Photo by Getty Images)

11 / 36

Cameron Smith - Current Maroons captain who will go down as potentially the best hooker to play the game of rugby league. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

12 / 36

Johnathan Thurston - Holds the all-time record for most points scored in State of Origin. (Photo by Getty Images)

13 / 36

Billy Slater - Instrumental in both attack and defence. Billy "The Kid" is always a menace for Blues supporters. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

14 / 36

Greg Inglis - Born and bred in Kempsey and grew up playing the game in Northern NSW, yet is one of the best players to ever don the maroon jersey. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

15 / 36

Justin Hodges - The man all Blues supporters love to hate. However, he has proved time and time again he's one of the best centres in Origin history. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

16 / 36

Sam Thaiday - One of the most passionate men to play origin. Always willing to do anything to get the Maroons over the line. (Photo by Getty Images)

17 / 36

Darius Boyd - Joint record holder with current team-mate Greg Inglis as the all-time leading try scorer in Origin history. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

18 / 36

Cooper Cronk - The heir to Lockyer's throne, his partnership with JT continued the success for the Maroons in their eight consecutive series wins.(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

19 / 36

Steve Mortimer - The first ever winning captain for NSW in 1985, Steve Mortimer bled blue blood. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

20 / 36

Andrew Johns - The eighth immortal, "Joey" is one of the greatest to play within the Origin arena. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

21 / 36

Brad Fittler - "Freddy" holds the most appearances for NSW with 31. He returned from representative retirement to help steer the Blues to a series win in 2004. (Photo by Getty Images)

22 / 36

Paul Harragon - "The Chief" is one of the most toughest and passionate to wear the blue jersey. (Photo by Getty Images)

23 / 36

Benny Elias - The man QLD loved to hate, Elias was a fiery character who knew how to get under Queensland's skin. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

24 / 36

Peter Stirling - One of the Blues' greatest ever halves, his unpredictability was a constant threat to QLD defences. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

25 / 36

Laurie Daley - The former captain, now coach, Daley was a tough and smart player who was adored by the NSW faithful. In 2014, he masterminded the demise of QLD's eight-year stranglehold of the shield. (Photo by Getty Images)

26 / 36

Glenn Lazaurs - He was known for his powerful and committed style of play. During his playing days he was one of the first to be picked. (Photo by Getty Images)

27 / 36

Paul Sironen - A fearless and dominant backrower, he was known for his huge hits in defence and going forward. (Photo by Getty Images)

28 / 36

Andrew Ettingshausen - "ET" was known for his brilliance going forward and his reliability in defence. (Photo by Getty Images)

29 / 36

Wayne Pearce - A super athlete who captained the Blues to their first ever-clean sweep of the Maroons in 1986. Now his son Mitchell will be hoping to emulate his father in winning the shield. (Photo by Getty Images).

30 / 36

Ricky Stuart - "Sticky" possessed one of the greatest minds to ever play the game, with the skills to match. (Photo by Getty Images)

31 / 36

Steve Roach - During his Origin career, "Blocker" was the enforcer for NSW. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

32 / 36

Steve Menzies - Even though "Beaver" wore maroon at club level, he was pure blue at heart. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

33 / 36

Danny Buderus - Before 2014, Buderus was the last NSW captain to lift the shield back in 2005. He played with his heart on his sleeve, leading the Blues to three consecutive wins between 2003-05. (Photo by Getty Images).

34 / 36

Nathan Hindmarsh - When his "behind" wasn't on show, his leadership was. An Origin great who maybe deserved more games, he'll go down as one of the best to ever play for the Blues. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

35 / 36

Paul Gallen - Paul Gallen played through the entire eight years of pure QLD dominance. The 2014 victory was a burden off his shoulders as he became the first Blues player in nine years to hold the shield high in the sky. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

36 / 36

Jarryd Hayne - Since 2007 Hayne would always have to watch his opponents celebrate their victories. His brilliance in 2014 helped steer the Blues to their first win since 2005. He will be dearly missed for future series as he embarks on his quest to play in the NFL. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Allan Langer - "Alfie", the smallest man for the biggest job. QLD legend who will be remembered as that guy who sunk NSW in 2001 after returning from England. (Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images).

1 / 36

Gorden Tallis - Possibly the most passionate Queenslander to ever wear a Maroon jumper. (Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

2 / 36

Wally Lewis - Immortal "King Wally" played 31 times for the Maroons in an Origin career spanning 12 years. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

3 / 36

Arthur Beetson - If Wally Lewis is rightfully the king of State of Origin, this man is the Godfather. Captained the inaugural Queensland team way back in 1980. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

4 / 36

Trevor Gillmeister - Famous for leading the victorious, underdog QLD side in 1995, Gillmeister was an inspiration for the Maroons. (Photo by Getty Images)

5 / 36

Darren Lockyer - Holds the record for the most amount of appearances in Origin football with 36. Pioneered Queensland's run of 8 consecutive series wins. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

6 / 36

Mal Meninga - Current coach of the Maroons and one of the greatest to ever play the game. (Photo by Getty Images)

7 / 36

8 / 36

Shane Webcke - The big prop was as tough as they came. Was always up for a scrap with any New South Welshman. (Photo by Darren England/Getty Images)

9 / 36

Petero Civoniceva - One of the most consistent performers for QLD, he rarely played a bad game. (Photo by Getty Images)

10 / 36

Cameron Smith - Current Maroons captain who will go down as potentially the best hooker to play the game of rugby league. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

11 / 36

Johnathan Thurston - Holds the all-time record for most points scored in State of Origin. (Photo by Getty Images)

12 / 36

Billy Slater - Instrumental in both attack and defence. Billy "The Kid" is always a menace for Blues supporters. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

13 / 36

Greg Inglis - Born and bred in Kempsey and grew up playing the game in Northern NSW, yet is one of the best players to ever don the maroon jersey. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

14 / 36

Justin Hodges - The man all Blues supporters love to hate. However, he has proved time and time again he's one of the best centres in Origin history. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

15 / 36

Sam Thaiday - One of the most passionate men to play origin. Always willing to do anything to get the Maroons over the line. (Photo by Getty Images)

16 / 36

Darius Boyd - Joint record holder with current team-mate Greg Inglis as the all-time leading try scorer in Origin history. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

17 / 36

Cooper Cronk - The heir to Lockyer's throne, his partnership with JT continued the success for the Maroons in their eight consecutive series wins.(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

18 / 36

Steve Mortimer - The first ever winning captain for NSW in 1985, Steve Mortimer bled blue blood. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

19 / 36

Andrew Johns - The eighth immortal, "Joey" is one of the greatest to play within the Origin arena. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

20 / 36

Brad Fittler - "Freddy" holds the most appearances for NSW with 31. He returned from representative retirement to help steer the Blues to a series win in 2004. (Photo by Getty Images)

21 / 36

Paul Harragon - "The Chief" is one of the most toughest and passionate to wear the blue jersey. (Photo by Getty Images)

22 / 36

Benny Elias - The man QLD loved to hate, Elias was a fiery character who knew how to get under Queensland's skin. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

23 / 36

Peter Stirling - One of the Blues' greatest ever halves, his unpredictability was a constant threat to QLD defences. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

24 / 36

25 / 36

Glenn Lazaurs - He was known for his powerful and committed style of play. During his playing days he was one of the first to be picked. (Photo by Getty Images)

26 / 36

Paul Sironen - A fearless and dominant backrower, he was known for his huge hits in defence and going forward. (Photo by Getty Images)

27 / 36

Andrew Ettingshausen - "ET" was known for his brilliance going forward and his reliability in defence. (Photo by Getty Images)

28 / 36

29 / 36

Ricky Stuart - "Sticky" possessed one of the greatest minds to ever play the game, with the skills to match. (Photo by Getty Images)

30 / 36

Steve Roach - During his Origin career, "Blocker" was the enforcer for NSW. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

31 / 36

Steve Menzies - Even though "Beaver" wore maroon at club level, he was pure blue at heart. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

32 / 36

33 / 36

34 / 36

35 / 36

36 / 36

36 players behind the legend of State of Origin

We salute the all-time great Cockroaches and Cane Toads ahead of Game I of the 2015 series.

36 players behind the legend of State of Origin

By Curtis Figon & Anthony Difederico May 25 2015 3:50PM

By Curtis Figon & Anthony Difederico

May 25 2015 3:50PM

We salute the all-time great Cockroaches and Cane Toads ahead of Game I of the 2015 series.

With the 2015 State of Origin series almost upon us, here at Inside Sport we decided to celebrate 36 of the greatest players to wear the Blue and Maroon. From Sterling and Johns, to Langer and Lockyer, with many more in between, these players shed blood, sweat and tears for their state, making State of Origin one of the greatest events in Australian sport.

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