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Match-winning Queensland fullback Billy Slater couldn’t take his eyes of his Wally Lewis player of the series medal after Wednesday night’s exhilarating 23-18 win over a heartbroken NSW.
Lewis won eight man-of-the-match awards for Queensland and Slater now has two, along with a Lewis medal as man-of-the-series for 2010.
He came up with two crucial plays as Queensland dug deep at ANZ Stadium for another never-say-die win to claim their first series clean sweep since Paul Vautin’s 1995 Maroons.
After somehow preventing rampaging Blues forward Anthony Watmough from grounding the ball in the 66th minute, Slater scored his ninth and most important Origin try to deny NSW victory after lock Greg Bird had put them ahead 18-13 scoring off a Michael Ennis grubber in the 70th minute.
Watmough seemed certain to score before Slater sped across and slid underneath him as he has done so many teams before.
“You don’t have too much time to think, I was just lucky he got slowed up in the defensive line,” Slater said.
“It’s a great night for all Queenslanders. There’ll be a lot of proud kids going to school tomorrow in Queensland as I was 15 years ago.
“It’s humbling and a very proud moment in my career to receive the Wally Lewis medal.
“He was an idol of mine growing up, he and Alfie (Allan Langer).
“To wear a medal with the King on it is something I’ll remember forever.
“There’s 18 blokes in this room, including Matty Ballin and Ben Hannant, you could probably throw it around their necks and they’d deserve it as well.
“We’re a close-knit team, we stuck together through the tough times, I love these guys.”
Back-rower Nate Myles, who was magnificent with 24 tackles and 13 hit-ups, was exhausted in the winning dressing room.
“My head feels like I’ve played 10 games,” said Myles who had a running battle with NSW rival Paul Gallen.
“I got a couple put on me tonight. They can flog the hell out of me all they want and I don’t really care.
“We’ve all got out jobs and if mine’s to go out there and get flogged, I’ll do it.”
Myles was involved in a late punch-up when NSW hooker Michael Ennis must have thought he was world champion boxer Danny Green who presented the Blues with their jumpers before the game.
He said while he couldn’t remember much about the second game when he was knocked out early, he rated the 23-18 win up with the toughest he’d played for Queensland.
Myles, who has played in 14 of the 15 Origins since 2006, scored his first Origin try.
“I’m not a vital part when you look at players like Lockyer, Thurston, Inglis and Slater,” he said.
“I love these boys, I’ll do whatever they want.”
AFL-bound winger Israel Folau said he’d done his best to finish his Origin career with a try.
“I’m on a high. It’s pretty special to leave Origin like this,” he said.
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