Why footy legend Laurie Daley has reopened old wounds about the horror tackle that left one-time NRL star Alex McKinnon paralysed

Former NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has recalled the horrific aftermath of the tackle that left Alex McKinnon paralyzed as he warned Michael Maguire to exercise moderation when it comes to setting Queensland on fire ahead of match two next week.

Channel Nine 60 minutes program aired a segment in which Queensland and Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith appeared unsympathetic to many viewers after the horrific incident in March 2014.

Smith – who captained the Storm in the match – immediately had an argument with the referee after the tackle by his teammates Jordan McLean, Kenny and Jesse Bromwich left McKinnon with two broken vertebrae.

He was unaware of the extent of the damage the ex-Knights star had suffered at the time.

It followed a few days earlier on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, where Queensland skipper Cameron Smith appeared unsympathetic in the eyes of many viewers following Alex McKinnon’s on-field injury (McKinnon is pictured with girlfriend Lily Malone)

The Maroons playing group were reportedly seething when the 60 Minutes show aired in 2015 – and used it as inspiration as they defeated the shell-shocked Blues at Suncorp Stadium and romped to a 52-6 win in the series’ decider.

“I remember walking into the stadium and it was just different,” Daley recalled on the channel Large sports breakfast.

“The media in Queensland then started to get behind Cameron Smith. But the NSW media were just absolutely hammering her and Smith [Queensland] just came up behind him.

“Just the intensity – I never thought an Origin game could get more intense, but it felt like there was real hatred there… it was like they thought NSW had planted the narrative to come out on that particular day.”

Alex McKinnon was left paralyzed after a tackle in an NRL match for the Knights against Melboure Storm (pictured) in 2014

Daley admitted his team had no answers despite going into the decider confident after winning the Interstate Shield in 2014.

“We got our asses kicked and there wasn’t a single Queenslander in that team who would back down or not give their best or be committed,” he said.

“I’m telling you, that was a game where all they wanted was blood. Not only the team, but also the fans.

“I remember sitting in the box of the coach, and you saw their eyes, and they were banging on the window… it was different.”

Daley’s warning comes after Maroons coach Billy Slater – plus assistants Johnathan Thurston and Nate Myles – suggested NSW had deliberately targeted young Queensland gun Reece Walsh in the June 5 series opener in Sydney.

Blues center Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off after just seven minutes following a brutal late goal on Walsh as the Maroons cruised to a 38-10 win at the Accor Stadium.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has suggested NSW deliberately targeted young Queensland gun Reece Walsh in the June 5 series opener in Sydney (pictured)

Blues center Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off after just seven minutes following a brutal late goal on Walsh as the Maroons cruised to a 38-10 victory at the Accor Stadium.

Maguire then told reporters: “You have to make sure you don’t live in glass houses, that’s all I’ll say.”

Many footy fans believe it was a reference to Slater’s sometimes questionable behavior on the field for the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia.

Much to the frustration of many rival fans, Slater often resorted to the dangerous tactic of diving feet first at opponents trying to score tries during his decorated football career.

Game two of the Origin series takes place on June 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.