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GOLD COAST - The mental anguish of a 40-point hammering seven years ago is serving as Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer's personal motivation heading into tomorrow night's State of Origin rugby league clash.
New South Wales crushed the Maroons 56-16 at Stadium Australia in 2000 to secure a series whitewash, leaving Lockyer with an image that haunts him today.
As the Queenslanders aim to clinch their own 3-0 drubbing of Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, Lockyer has revenge on his mind.
It's not just that he remembers, but also the manner in which it was achieved as the Blues made a mockery of their demoralised opponents with some insulting post-try celebrations.
"That was rubbing salt into the wounds," Lockyer said.
"It just didn't seem like Origin footy (with) that sort of stuff happening.
"I remember how disgusted (Queensland team manager) Chris Close was. It'd be nice to get one back."
Lockyer, Tonie Carroll and Steve Price are the only current Maroons involved in that series, although Price was spared the ignominy of the final humiliation at Stadium Australia because he was axed after game two.
Price would certainly not have been immune from the hurt felt by all Queenslanders.
"That was a pretty embarrassing moment for every player who was involved for Queensland," remarked Lockyer, attempting to lead the Maroons to their first series whitewash since 1995.
"You don't forget those nights. There's been a lot of pain that I've had personally and I guess a lot of other players in this team have experienced first hand.
"We've got an opportunity to get one back on them but we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Halfback Brett Kimmorley, the only current NSW player who took part in the 2000 series, said the nature of the third game that year allowed the Blues to indulge in their cocky post-try celebrations.
It's difficult to erase the image of former NSW forward Bryan Fletcher 'pulling the pin' and lobbing the ball like a hand grenade as his teammates dived out of the way.
"That was back in an era when post-try celebrations were around," Kimmorley said upon arrival at Brisbane Airport today.
"Obviously the way the result was we had a chance to do that.
"I just think the game was made for that occasion and it was something that happened.
"In a game like this (on Wednesday night) you'd hate to do that leading by six and get beat -- that would look very foolish."
Kimmorley said the current Blues were focusing on salvaging some pride rather than avoiding a 3-0 defeat.
Price and Carroll are both nearing the end of their representative careers while Petero Civoniceva, who will join Penrith next season, is rumoured to be considering his own retirement after this series.
"It might be a couple of players' last game (for Queensland) and we want to do it for each other, remember the special times we've had together and go out on a good note," Lockyer said.
"If we're talking about that game in 2000, if we happen to win there's a little bit of satisfaction that it rights a few wrongs as well."
- AAP
