PAYNE HAAS AND HUDSON YOUNG

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads): State of Origin Game 1 will be held in Adelaide tonight, and two of our local stars will be front and centre of the action. New South Wales will be keen to reverse its fortunes from 2022, and what better way to make it happen than to have two Maitland boys featuring prominently as part of the New South Wales Blues' line-up. Prop Payne Haas played junior football for the mighty Woodberry Warriors. I have no doubt that all the juniors of the Woodberry Warriors and everyone in Maitland will be cheering him on. Payne was first selected for State of Origin in 2019, when he was the Dally M Rookie of the Year and Prop of the Year. He has tasted State of Origin series success with the Blues in both 2019 and 2021—and we hope in 2023. Second-rower Hudson Young was born in Maitland and makes his State of Origin debut tonight. Hudson played junior football for the Greta Branxton Colts, which has unofficially renamed its home ground Hudson Young Oval to commemorate tonight's appearance. I wish Payne, Hudson and the whole New South Wales Blues team well. Go the Mighty Blues!