NSW Sky Blues forward Kennedy Cherrington can’t wait to experience that Suncorp Stadium feeling once more if she’s picked for NSW again in 2024.
“I’ve played twice against the Broncos and then when I played Super Rugby, we played here,” the 24-year-old Parramatta Eels back-rower told nswrl.com.au
“The atmosphere is huge and that’s great for us in our first game for our first three-match series.
“It’s a massive occasion for female Rugby League – a huge step forward.”
Cherrington joined Maroons forward Evania Pelite in Brisbane yesterday to launch the Ampol Women’s State of Origin tickets release, which go on sale today to the general public for Game One on Thursday 16 May.
“And with Magic Round on the next night, you can come to our match now as a nice way to start the weekend,” she said.
Tickets for Game Two (Thursday 6 June) and Game Three (Thursday 27 June) will go on sale next year.
It will be the first time Women’s Origin is played over three matches in 2024, after the 2023 two-game series finished 1-1 with Queensland claiming the shield on aggregate.
The two-game 2023 series finished 1-1 with Queensland claiming the shield on aggregate points.
“It was very awkward after this year’s series,” Cherrington said.
“I feel the NRL have made the best decision for us – it had to happen eventually – so I’m very glad we’ve got three games now.
“It will be a true test for both teams to see how we go with picking our squads and planning for three matches rather than just one or two.
“We can both really test our depth in that professional space. I’ll be backing the Blues all day, every day, that we can do that well.”
NSW-based players will also have to plan their year a little differently with the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership running from mid-July after Origin, so it can be a feeder competition for NRLW clubs.
It means Cherrington and other elite players will have to maintain fitness without club games.
“At the moment a lot of pieces of the puzzle are still in motion, so as players we’ll see how we’re going month to month,” she said.
“I know there’s been talk of a couple of things going on in those lead-up weeks to Origin like camps, trial games.
“For me, I’ve been on the go with Prime Minister’s XIII and then Jillaroos. So I’m resting my body now, then come January I’m back into hard training to come out firing for the (Maori) All Stars, Country-City and then hopefully into the Origin squad.
“We’re all experienced athletes and we’re professional enough to adjust to the different calendars we’ve had. We know when to rest, when to prepare, and how to do that professionally.”
Cherrington just wants to have a winning series against her name.
She debuted in 2021 when NSW lost 8-6 with a penalty goal in the final minute. She missed 2022 but played both games in 2023, with NSW winning Game Two 18-14.
Click here to secure tickets for Game One at Suncorp Stadium in 2024.
