Inadvertently I have referred to this year's third Origin fixture as the “series decider”, which would imply that the Blues are going to lose game two in their own backyard.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The only thing to be decided in game three will be how many other dirty, rotten Cane Toads are going to join Smithy, JT, Cronk, Darius and company in the Origin graveyard.

Photos: State of Origin I at Melbourne

Meanwhile, a reader alerts me to an intriguing follow-up after last week’s item about the now-infamous “poo jogger” from Brisbane.

A leading clinical psychologist, Grant Brecht, explains that such behaviour can become as addictive as “taking a hit of heroin”.

“It can make them feel invincible,” he says. “It can also tie into the idea of delusions of grandeur.”

Perhaps the secret to Queensland’s State of Origin reign of terror has finally been revealed.

KNIGHTS coach Nathan Brown speaks publicly for the first time since agreeing to a new contract with the club.

He offers an interesting insight into the faith Newcastle officials showed in him during his lean first two seasons at the helm, which delivered two wooden spoons.

“I put my hands in the laps of some people, to be honest with you,” he says.

Before anyone goes jumping to the wrong conclusion, Browny explains that he means “the right people in charge” supported him, adding: “They could have easily turfed me out if they wanted to and everyone would have probably said fair enough, but I feel grateful for the support I've been given.”

In other news, former Manly forward Anthony Watmough takes to ex-teammate Daly Cherry-Evans with an axe he appears to have been grinding for the past seven or eight years.

Watmough declares in a podcast DCE “turned into a f—wit” after his first season at Manly, an opinion apparently based on the halfback’s demand for a pay rise, which did not meet with the approval of senior players.

I am reminded of one of my mum’s favourite sayings: “It takes one to know one.” 

Watmough reckons he and other veterans made financial “sacrifices” to keep a successful team together. Fortunately he was reimbursed when he arrived at Parramatta, aged 30 and with one clapped-out knee, and retired 17 games into a four-year deal.

GOLD Coast fullback Michael Gordon stakes an early claim for the Dally M Hindmarsh Of The Year award with an outstanding full moon as he scores the opening try against Canterbury.

In England, former Knight Chris Houston finds himself in strife playing for Widnes against Salford.

After copping 10 in the sin-bin, the veteran back-rower turns to referee James Childs and gives him a pseudo round of applause.

Read more: Can Kalyn Ponga become the youngest DallyM winner?

Childs then upgrades Houston’s yellow card to a red … and the send-off is exacerbated by a two-game suspension.

“You have got to show the referee respect. He’s let his teammates down,” Widnes coach Francis Cummins fumes. 

You’d have thought Houso might have been a bit more wary about staying on the right side of the authorities.

DALY Cherry-Evans resists the urge to respond to ex-teammate Watmough’s blindside cheap shot.

“It’s not really my business,” DCE says. “It’s his opinion and everyone is entitled to one these days.” 

Reading between the lines, Cherry-Evans has one fewer Christmas card to send this year.

Read more: DCE not fazed by Watmough tirade 

At McDonald Jones Stadium, big Blocker Roach delivers a less-than-subtle appraisal of the Knights during their loss to Melbourne.

“No disrespect to Newcastle, but imagine Kalyn Ponga playing for another club,’’ he says. No disrespect to Balmain Tigers, but if Kalyn goes through his entire career and never wins a grand final, he’ll be no worse off than Blocker.

NSW players ignore the freezing cold to train barefoot at Coogee Oval, apparently because coach Brad Fittler believes it is beneficial to “soak up the minerals”.

The Blues might be hippie weirdos, but at least they’re not grubs.

Up in the Banana Republic, the Cane Toads are no doubt roaming the hotel corridors, searching for a teammate’s shoe in which they can uphold a depraved “bonding” tradition dating back to the days of Julian O’Neill and Nate Myles. If it really is “as addictive as heroin”, as our aforementioned expert suggests, we can only hope Maroons rookie Kalyn Ponga doesn’t succumb to peer-group pressure and take his first “hit”. 

IN-FORM Roosters winger Blake Ferguson meets Nathan Brown to discuss the option of joining the Knights next season.

If Browny can seal this deal, he’ll deadset have spent more money on Chooks than anyone since Colonel Sanders.

It’s a bit of a surprise that a photo hasn’t popped up on social media of them having lunch at a local cafe. Maybe they’re in disguise to avoid the iPhone paparazzi.

COLLEAGUE Ben “Bonzy” Drzyzga emails me the above picture, which runs on the back page of the Junee Southern Cross.

Photographer Emma Hillier captures the exact moment Wagga Kangaroos lock Troy Barby snots Junee prop Simione Naiduki flush on the melon, before heading off for an enforced early shower.

Barby will spend the next two weeks on the sidelines … but I’m tipping the photo will take pride of place in his pool room.