After losing the past two interstate series, Queensland believes asserting authority through its forwards is the blueprint for beating New South Wales at North Sydney Oval.

Jason Hetherington’s team has put an emphasis on defence during training – including tackling coaching from former Maroons hitman Trevor ‘The Axe’ Gillmeister – and will be looking to rule the middle of the field.

Queensland lock Annette Brander knows first-hand the kind of intensity expected throughout the match, given she copped the brunt of a classic Gillmeister piledriver last week in a practice drill.

“It’s been a really good experience having [Gillmeister] in camp,” Brander told The Women’s Game.

“Being able to learn from some of the best is really good for us.

“It’s helped me defensively being able to learn from him. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the end of one his tackles back in the day in a game, that’s for sure.

“[The tackling sessions have been] a massive learning curve and it’s really helped us a lot … It’s about making sure our defence is strong and we have an impact. We really want to get in and muscle up against the Blues,” she said.

While Brander is usually a centre or back-rower, the 25-year-old said she’s eager to wear the Queensland No.13 jersey and inject herself into the thick of the action.

“I’m really excited for the challenge. I’ve always loved the defensive part of the game, so I’m keen to be in the middle and get a bit more traffic,” she said.

Brander was a member of the Jillaroos’ 2017 World Cup-winning squad, but said a victory in the first official Women’s Origin this weekend would be among her most cherished achievements.

“It would probably be on par with [the World Cup], actually. The first year I played [for Queensland] was a draw," Brander said.

"Even though we didn’t lose it wasn’t the win that we wanted.

“For me, it would be a massive thing, and I think for all of us it would be a really proud moment to finally have the trophy back.”

Veteran Queensland prop Heather Ballinger stressed the need for her side to control the ruck area if they are to snap NSW’s reign and win the game.

“We know that [the Blues] are going to come out hard and fast, especially up the middle,” she said. “We’ve just got to defend that as much as we can.”

Ballinger – a marquee Brisbane Broncos signing for the upcoming NRL Women’s competition – said the onus is on the Maroons’ forward pack to roll ahead and create space for their exciting backline.

“Obviously we set the platform for our outside backs. So, if we can’t control the middle, we’re not giving our backs the best opportunities,” she said.

Though she’s champing at the bit to get another shot at the Blues, the Australian representative isn’t treating this match differently than any other during her storied career.

“In a way it’s business like usual, but at the same time we want to win back that trophy and not let NSW continue with its winning streak … It gives you more desire to go out there and give it everything,” Ballinger said.

“To me, it’s a game of patience and I think we have that as Queenslanders, not to force things. Results will come off the end of that.

“A win’s a win. It’d be great. It’s just like any other game.”