State of Origin 2021: Fans lose it over Gus Gould's Game Of Thrones inspired 'Last Word' speech

Ed Chisholm

State of Origin 2021: Fans lose it over Gus Gould's Game Of Thrones inspired 'Last Word' speech image

Gus Gould's pre-Origin 'Last Word' rev up speech has gained a rousing reception from footy fans in its return to Channel Nine's broadcast.

One of the great traditions of the fierce interstate rivalries, Gould has performed his Origin speeches for years, but more recently Nine have opted for a pre-recorded video.

Gould confirmed on the morning of the series opener that he'd be bringing it back in Townsville, and brought perhaps his best work yet to the stage of Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Here's a full transcript of Gus' Last Word speech ahead of the series opener.

"Thank you. I want to talk about bravery.

"In these final moments in the dressing rooms these players are at their most nervous. The rookie players may have watched Origin on TV but it's about to hit them in the face and there is no doubt they will start to have insecurities, do I deserve to be here, what will it really be like? Will I be good enough?

"It's fear of the unknown that starts to grab them. For the players that have been here before, it's fear of the known. They've already experienced what Origin mentality and physicality is like. They know they need to get back to this level every time and steel themselves. 

"That's not easy when you know how much it's going to hurt. There was a passage I read in the Game of 'Thrones' many years ago of a conversation wean the father and his son.

"The son asked is it possible for a man to still be considered brave when on the inside he is truly afraid? To which his father replied - when you're truly afraid, that is the only time a man can be brave and that's what you will see tonight.

"Nerves, insecurity, fear, it will give way to courage and bravery. It will give way to the commitment you have to your teammates and your state. It will give way to the commitment you have to do whatever is necessary to win.

"Why? Because that's what Origin players do. And above all else these boys want to be Origin players. Let's cheer on these brave souls and let's hope they can be Origin players tonight. Enjoy your football."


The fans couldn't get enough of Gould's stirring words on Twitter.




 

Ed Chisholm

Ed Chisholm Photo

Ed Chisholm is a content producer for Sporting News Australia.