The second instalment of this year’s State of Origin series was held in neutral territory, with rugby league’s showpiece event taking place in Perth.
Western Australia had previously hosted Origin twice in the past, with both games drawing crowds of more than 59,000 people at Optus Stadium.
The Sporting News takes a look back at how New South Wales and Queensland have fared in the west.
When was the last time State of Origin was played in Perth?
Origin was now most recently played in WA in 2025 when QLD rolled into town needing to win in the marquee event to keep the series alive.
And they did just that thanks to a dominant first half in wild conditions, before holding on by their fingernails to register a 26-24 win and force a decider.
This was a far cry from their previous two visits to Perth.
Former Blues coach Brad Fittler responded to a disappointing opening loss in Sydney back in 2022 with a much-changed lineup.
It's fair to say his selection decisions were vindicated with NSW putting in a powerful display to romp to a 44-12 win.
After a tight first half, which saw Queensland head into the sheds 14-12 down, the Maroons were simply blown away in the second stanza.
Nathan Cleary had a night to remember in Perth with the halfback recording a personal haul of 24 points.
The No.7 bagged a try as well as providing two assists and eight goals from eight attempts during the demolition.
NSW Blues and QLD Maroons record in Perth
In the three Origin matches at Optus Stadium to date, NSW have the edge.
NSW romped home to win on the first two occasions with their triumph in 2022 preceded by another dominant display in WA.
In the first match at the neutral state in 2019, NSW eased to a 38-6 win over Kevin Walters’ outfit.
Tom Trbojevic grabbed the headlines on that night as the Manly talisman crossed for a hat-trick. Josh Addo-Carr was also in fine touch during the contest on a Sunday night as NSW put QLD to the sword.
In the two matches before the 2025 edition, the Blues notched 82 points compared to the Maroons’ 18 to clearly have the wood over their rivals in the west.
However, the Maroons finally responded in kind with the shield on the line this year to claim their first win in the state.
State of Origin results in WA
| Date (Game) | Year | Result | Attendance |
| Wed. June 18 (II) | 2025 | QLD 26 def. NSW 24 | 57,023 |
| Sun. June 26 (II) | 2022 | NSW 44 def. QLD 12 | 59,358 |
| Sun. June 23 (II) | 2019 | NSW 38 def. QLD 6 | 59,721 |