2025 Origin Greyhound Series squads announced

Interstate rivalry will go to another level in this year’s Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series with a brand-new venue and a new coaching battle between the Maroons and Blues.

Racing Queensland and Greyhound Racing New South Wales have this morning both confirmed their squads for the showpiece event on Thursday, June 12.

The battle for state supremacy will reignite with the Group 3 Origin Sprint and Origin Distance, along with the Origin Match Race, which will also be run at a Group 3 level for the first time.

The seventh running of the series will also make its debut at the new home of greyhound racing, The Q, on the Ladbrokes Q2 Parklands track.

Looking to wrestle back the Origin shield after losing it last year, the Sunshine State has announced a strong line up of stars, headlined by star stayer Autumn Storm, top sprinter Daysea’s Rory and the Selena Zammit-trained Backcreek Benny.

Meanwhile, the NSW squad is headlined by superstar sprinter Good Odds Cobber – who finished second in last year’s Origin Sprint – and newly minted Group 1 Golden Easter Egg champion Power And Glory.

Late Night News and Jungle Johnny are also amongst the initial Blues squad.

In total, Queensland and NSW will be represented by nine greyhounds each, with each state naming a preliminary squad of 25.

Greyhounds not selected in the squads can still force their way into the final teams by producing stand-out performances over the next couple of weeks, before teams are finalised on June 6.

Former Maroons great Ben Hannant will once again take the coaching reins for Queensland, while former Blues captain Benny Elias steps in to take over the NSW coach’s cap from Laurie Daley.

Hannant said the Queensland team were hell-bent on winning back the Origin shield after a 2024 series whitewash.

“After NSW took the shield from Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in Game Three last year, the Maroons are determined to bounce back in 2025 - and so are we on the greyhound track,” Hannant said.

“It always hurts losing to the Blues but we are determined to make sure we let them know that the new home of greyhound racing, The Q, is our home turf and we won’t be going down without a fight.

“While I’m confident we will get the job done over NSW in this year’s State of Origin, I am even more sure we can do the same and wrestle back the shield for the Sunshine State at the brand-new fortress of Queensland racing.”

New Blues coach Benny Elias said he was looking forward to taking over the role that had previously been held by his Origin teammate Terry Hill, who sadly passed away in April last year.

“Terry always loved coming to Queensland for the Origin Greyhound series and I am proud to carry on his legacy this year,” Elias said.

“Like me, ‘Tezza’ was passionate about seeing NSW defeat Queensland in any arena, and I am confident we have got the perfect squad to go back-to-back this year.

“With Good Odds Cobber and Power And Glory headlining the team, there is no doubt in my mind the Origin shield will remain where it rightfully belongs in NSW.”

The Group 3 Origin Sprint and Origin Distance will again be run for $150,000 each, while the Listed Origin two-dog Match Race has a $60,000 purse on offer.

The overall series tally sits at three-all after its introduction in 2018.