Queensland playmaker Tarryn Aiken scaled every height in the game in 2024 and ahead of this year’s State of Origin series she is just glad to have reliable half Ali Brigginshaw beside her.
Instead of having to live up to the expectations after a golden year where she achieved everything in the game, Aiken can slot into a familiar liaison with her former Brisbane captain in the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
In 2024 Aiken won the State of Origin series and Pacific Cup for Australia alongside Brigginshaw in the halves. She also led the Sydney Roosters to premiership glory, was the player of the match and then awarded the Golden Boot as the best international representative player in the world.
Aiken and Brigginshaw have played together in the halves in the past for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia with success.
The 25-year-old glides across the field and links with supports with silky passes. On other occasions she plays direct and draws her opponent. She can put the foot down and accelerate through a gap and do it all herself.
Brigginshaw, 35, steers the team with aplomb and plays the more game management role.
With electric fullback Tamika Upton and versatile Lauren Brown at hooker the Maroons have a spine to be reckoned with.
The partnership with Brigginshaw is one Aiken is comfortable with.
“We know each other’s strengths well and I think we just let each other play to our strengths,” Aiken said.
“She definitely organises and kicks us around the park and just sort of frees me and Meeks (Upton) up a lot to just do what we see in front of us and play our footy.
“We have played a lot of footy together over the years, especially with Loz (Brown) and Meeks there as well, so we’re just building our combinations.”
Aiken is wary of relying on last year’s heroics in a 2-1 Origin series win, and her own personal accomplishments, to rely on success this season.
“It’s been probably an unreal few years, especially last year, but I think the focus coming into this year is just wiping the slate clean,” she said.
“I’ve taken everything I’ve learnt, but it’s a new year and a new series, and we’re pretty much just starting from scratch.”
The Maroons have named four debutants in their squad – Rory Owen, Jasmine Peters, Jada Ferguson and Tavarna Papalii.
“It’s really exciting. I think the young girls bring a lot of energy to the group and they’re all really excited to be here and they’ve obviously got a good opportunity ahead,” Aiken said.
“I think it’s just about getting around them, making sure they’re ready and it’s just a lot of excitement among the group.”
