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."
😤 GOOSEBUMPS! 😤
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 9, 2021
Gus' Final Word for Origin I.
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/WUQrarniA7#9WWOS #NRL #Origin pic.twitter.com/UeEIe6IVpN
The fans couldn't get enough of Gould's stirring words on Twitter.
GUS. Some of your best work! 👏🏽👏🏽
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) June 9, 2021
So good, let's do this NSW #ORIGIN. @wwos
Like him or loathe him, it’s not #Origin until we get the Gould monologue
— QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) June 9, 2021
How good’s Gus Gould? Even a Game of Thrones reference for the kids in tonight’s pre-game spiel. Few commentating gigs like his, where his bias makes him so compelling. Who is/was the #AFL equivalent? Ed? The great EJ?
— Ben Broad (@Ben_Broad) June 9, 2021
Go Maroons. #Origin
