AS the final chapter in Queensland’s remarkable period of State of Origin dominance, it was a fitting sign-off.
But as the first page of a new chapter in the history of the famous Maroon jersey, it was a mouth-watering appetizer of what lies ahead.
Queensland’s incredible 32-8 rout of NSW in the third Origin game closed out a series that will be remembered as the end of the Maroons’ eight-year winning streak, yet few Queensland fans would have walked away from that match feeling the pride of the state was in anything but the safest of hands.
Being the end of one era and the start of another, it is fitting that the result was a recipe created by the brilliance of Queensland’s old and new.
On the one hand you had the balance of Queensland’s core of experience and class, led by sublime performances from captain Cameron Smith, lock Corey Parker, second-rower Sam Thaiday, fullback Billy Slater and, of course, halfback Cooper Cronk – playing a masterful hand in his first game back since breaking his arm in Origin I six weeks before.
On the other was the fizzing, combustible mix of energy and enthusiasm brought by Queensland’s younger brigade.
Maroons coach Mal Meninga before the game challenged his younger players to step up and take ownership of the team’s performance. He would have been proud with the way they responded.
Winger Will Chambers, in his long-awaited Origin debut, was sensational, as was backrower Aidan Guerra, who looked every inch the rampaging Origin star many had predicted he would be.
Then there was the dynamic spark of Daly Cherry-Evans, coming off the bench to again ignite Queensland’s attack, creating the first try for Smith with a dazzling combination of vision and precision – slicing through the defence and then setting Smith on his way with a pin-point accurate kick.
There were other stars too, of course. Darius Boyd joining Greg Inglis as Origin’s greatest try-scorer with his 15th touchdown, and Inglis himself, back to his menacing, aggressive, unstoppable best.
And there was Nate Myles, once again the anvil upon which the steel of the Queensland pack was forged, coupled with the unyielding grit of Jacob Lillyman upfront and Justin Hodges in the backline.
As a team performance it was spectacular – a salient reminder of, even with a series lost, how good this team really is.
In the first half, Queensland crossed the line enough times to win six matches, but each time they were repelled by desperate NSW defence.
Yet instead of getting frustrated, dropping their bundle or losing their way, the Queenslanders simply went back to the beginning and started over again, building pressure and knowing their patience would be a virtue.
When the floodgates finally opened in the second half, it was because of that massive toll the Queenslanders had inflicted on the Blues in the first half.
It was a death from a thousand cuts.
And with the referees finally policing the ruck and the 10 metres effectively in Game III, the two teams were largely kept away from each other’s throats and attacking football was allowed to flourish.
It suited Queensland down to the ground, and as they rained down tries in the second half to run away with the win, Meninga admitted he couldn’t help but wonder what might have been had Queensland found their rhythm earlier in the series.
“It is a bittersweet feeling for us because that sort of win and that sort of performance was what we had been looking for in the first two games but hadn’t produced – and NSW deserves credit because they didn’t allow it,” Mal said. “But still, it leaves you wondering what if?”
For now Queensland fans, while disappointed to see the Origin shield head south for the first time since 2005, will be happy that they at least got to see their team at their best, and reassured that while the streak may be over, this great Maroons dynasty has not yet seen its final day.
“We showed this team isn’t finished,” Smith said.
“There was talk after Sydney about the dynasty being over, but the team we had played extremely well.
“There is a lot of confidence and momentum, it’s nice to finish the series with a win.
“We’ve always been confident through the whole three games and that was pretty close to a record win for Queensland.
“We’re good enough to go around next year and win that shield back.”
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