By Coen Pearson

The City and the Forest face off in the 2025 Benjo’s Recycled Timbers District of Origin tour, today. At 10:30 the biggest rivalry in District of Origin is re-ignited. It all started four years ago, in the first District of Origin tour.

“We actually hate each other”, says the 2021 City captain, Tom Shankè pre-game. A sold out Queen’s Palace Stadium, warm night with red and green fans everywhere. During the game was even worse. The city kicked away, leading by 21 points at half time. Then the legend Sandy Pieston, walked out of the rooms and smack-bang knocked out Bobba Le Bobbitt. Red cards flying everywhere, crowd screaming, the forest possibly made the biggest comeback of all time and won by 15 points. QPS was shaking, fights breaking out everywhere. But, Sandy Pieston came back out and hoisted the cup for the Forest at the end.

Today, the rivalry is re-ignited. They face at the same Queen’s Palace, but with Sandy Pieston coaching the forest and Tom Shankè holding the reigns of the City. It won’t just be a battle of players but a battle of coaches.

Even better, the City are coming off a loss, where the Mountains clawed back the lead and won by 7. They are looking to prove themselves in front of a near sold out QPS. The Forest are kicking off their District of Origin Tour and have to play more games than anybody.

But are the City too tired? Are the forest going too be saving their energy? Which players will put effort in? Two massive districts with huge football revenues. The stage is set for yet another thriller.