Origin players miss their chance to raise $25,000 for paralysed NRL stars in game three

State of Origin players from both teams miss the chance to raise $25,000 to help two NRL stars left paralysed by horror accidents - and yes, you can partly blame the video ref

Both Queensland and New South Wales players missed opportunities to raise money for the recovery efforts of Nathan Stapleton and Daniel Anderson with try celebrations.

The Blues ran out comfortable 24-10 winners and salvaged some pride in front of 75,342 fans in Sydney on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium.

However, players from both sides missed out on several chances to help raise funds for a special part of the rugby league family.

Sportsbet's annual Try July campaign has returned in 2023, with the betting company donating $5000 to the recovery efforts of Nathan Stapleton and Daniel Anderson.

The only planned try celebration on the night was Bradman Best and Josh Addo-Carr's dance after Best's second try for the Blues - meaning a further $25,000 could have potentially been raised.

Both Queensland and New South Wales players missed opportunities to raise money for the recovery efforts of Nathan Stapleton and Daniel Anderson

The Blues ran out comfortable 24-10 winners and salvaged some pride in front of 75,342 fans in Sydney

Daily Mail Australia is not insinuating this was done on purpose, rather overlooked during the closely contested match.

A former Sharks fullback, Stapleton was paralysed from the shoulders down after he broke his neck while playing a match in West Wyalong, around 500km west of Sydney, on April 9 last year.

Former Eels and Warriors coach Anderson became a quadriplegic following a body-surfing injury in 2022. 

Launched in 2020, the Try July campaign has raised funds for injured footballers and also supported natural disaster appeals.

With 39 games in total - featuring four rounds of NRL, two rounds of NRLW and the third State of Origin fixture - there's a chance to raise much-needed funds for those who need it.

One of the more memorable Origin try celebrations over the years was Blues prop Bryan Fletcher's 'hand grenade' lob in game three of 2000.

Nathan Stapleton was paralysed from the shoulders down after he broke his neck while playing a match in West Wyalong

Former Eels and Warriors coach Anderson became a quadriplegic following a body-surfing injury in 2022

Fletcher threw the football in the air like a grenade before Blues teammates got into the act by hitting the deck to mimic an explosion.

Maroons viewed the moment as disrespectful, using it for motivation for years ahead.