The Queensland Maroons have defeated the New South Wales Blues 22-6 in Game 3 to take home the 2017 State of Origin series, their 11th title in 12 years.
The Maroons saw off a spirited second-half fightback from the Blues to cruise to the win, after a try to Josh Dugan raised hopes of a New South Wales comeback.
More Origin 3 coverage:
» GORE: Hang your heads in shame, NSW
» Liebke Ratings: State of Origin Game 3
» ELDRIDGE: Queensland own us, now and forever
»NSW Blues Player Ratings
» Queensland Maroons Player Ratings
» Game 3 match report: Maroons keep their dynasty alive
» Five talking points from Origin Game 3
» WATCH: Highlights from Origin Game 3
» How it happened: Re-live Game 3 with our live blog
However the Blues couldn’t find a second six-pointer despite a set of six on the Maroons’ try-line, with Queensland producing a phenomenal display of goal-line defence to keep their opponents at bay.
The away side was made to pay not long after, with debutant Cameron Munster scything through the defence after a shocking Mitchell Pearce defensive read before putting Valentine Holmes away for his first State of Origin hat-trick.
More Origin 3 coverage:
» Five talking points from Origin Game 3
» WATCH: Highlights from Origin Game 3
» How it happened: Re-live Game 3 with our Origin live scores, blog and highlights
Munster turned provider minutes later, throwing a wild speculative pass that landed in the grateful arms of Jarrod Wallace, who strolled over for the easiest of tries under the posts with the Blues’ middle defence seemingly asleep.
Earlier, it was all Queensland in the first half, and it was a minor miracle that they only went into the break up 12-0.
Holmes opened the scoring for the home side, somehow maintaining possession to plant the ball down in the corner despite the attention of three Blues defenders. The try came after some outstanding lead-up work from Billy Slater and Michael Morgan.
Slater had slalomed across the field, drawing a number of defenders before an offload that allowed Morgan to drive downfield and release Holmes.
There was some doubt about the grounding of the ball, however the Bunker ruled Holmes still had control with his fingertips when he touched down.
Cameron Smith, taking over kicking duties for the injured Johnathan Thurston, nailed the conversion from the sideline, and the score should have been doubled moments later, but a magnificent cover tackle from Brett Morris knocked the ball from Cooper Cronk’s grasp just metres from the sideline.
The Maroons were able to double their lead not long after, Holmes once again scoring with Cronk the provider. The veteran halfback rifled a flat kick across the field, finding Holmes on the try-line in plenty of space.
When Smith once again converted from the sideline it seemed like a Maroon procession was on the way once again, evoking memories of the bloodbath of a decider from back in 2015, which saw Queensland win 52-6.
We may well have ended with a similar scoreline had Smith facilitated a third first-half try, however the skipper, who was superb all night, decided to go himself despite having unmarked men on his outside just metres from the Blues try-line.
Cronk then failed with an attempted field-goal on the stroke of halftime, and there was a sense the Maroons could be made to pay for their profligacy when they went in with just the 12-point lead.
However, aside from a few promising moments from the Blues in the second half, the Maroons put those doubts to bed with a complete performance and cruise to yet another State of Origin series victory.
The Blues’ players were clearly distraught with their lacklustre performance in the decider, with James Maloney looking particularly gutted after the final siren.
The victory means Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston has gone out of representative footy a winner despite missing the decider through injury. The superstar halfback was invited up on stage by Smith to help lift the Origin shield, a fitting farewell from the Origin arena after his last on-field act was to kick the match-winning conversion in Game 2.
Queensland winger Dane Gagai took home the Wally Lewis Medal for the best player of the series, after an outstanding performance throughout the three games. He was the Maroons’ best in their disappointing Game 1 outing, and scored the crucial second-half double in Game 2 which forced the decider.
Smith was named man of the match for Game 3 after a masterful display, bringing his total number of best afield awards up to seven, just one shy of all-time record-holder Wally Lewis on eight.
Aside from Smith, the Maroons had plenty of outstanding contributors including debutant Munster, who many thought was the best on ground, Slater and Cronk, although the home side didn’t have a bad player on the ground.
Mushi
Guest
So woods is a Taylor clone (which is BS to anyone that has watched either guy play but let's entertain it) so QLD wouldn't pick him. Didn't Taylor play for QLD?
Psychodelia
Guest
yeah, you don't care - just get on here and sook.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
He had Gallen as his captain for at least three series. If he didn't learn from him then he has no chance. Gallen would never have walked and let that try happen. NEVER. He might be a grub, but he has more ticker than the rest of the Blues put together. QLD would pick Gallen. They wouldn't pick Fafita or Woods. As somebody put it, they are Dave Taylor clones. They don't have the bottle for it.
Matt h
Guest
I believe would pick Woods, but the older heads would teach him what is required and if he didn't get it, he wouldn't last long , see Dave Taylor
Mushi
Guest
Ha. The streams of comments, coverage, ratings etc suggest a few people care. Back in your hole troll
Art Vanderlay
Guest
Mal only picked him to con Laurie...
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Great player though he was, there is no guarantee that he is a good coach. That said we should try anything we can because the NSW team is very poor.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Its ok pointing out it was close in game three but the fact is Daley has won one series in five attempts. He continues to pick people like Woods and Ferguson and play players out of position. There never seems to be a game plan and you don't even see the commitment from NSW that QLD have. Gus pointed out a try where Woods and Fafita were walking near the try line as QLD strolled through for a try untouched. Picking players with that level of commitment is exactly what the problem is. Woods walked. He just doesn't have the Origin mentality. The aggression and never say die attitude that QLD have in spades. There was talk about making Woods captain. Woods would never get picked by QLD. He is too soft. QLD pick players who will bleed for their jersey. Fafita is the same, he goes missing if the defence is aggressive. How Trbjovic didn't get picked over Woods to start is beyond me. He is exactly the heart on his sleeve trier we need.
Adsa
Guest
Johns helped nsw before, he got drunk and repeatedly called Inglis a #*#*# #%#% in the bar at the training base in front of the team, Tahu left the camp in disgust and Qld flogged the blues in the next game. I can see how he would enhance the blue culture.
Raugeee
Guest
The mating cry of the loser!....The Loser! The Loooooser!!!
Raugeee
Guest
Exactly - NSW had no tricks up their sleeve tonight. Totally predictable and QLD had every move covered!
Raugeee
Guest
Oh yeah! It's gonna be fun!!
Raugeee
Guest
Galsby had a blinder! It's the QLD Origin culture,
Raugeee
Guest
Woods is the Emperor with no clothes on. He is soft. He is weak. I can't believe Meninga wants him in the Kangaroos.
Roger Ramjet
Guest
Really who cares as if you follow an NRL team that's all your think about - if your team wins the comp does it matter if QLD or NSW wins SOO - No it doesn't - who cares
Concerned Observer
Roar Rookie
Gould mentioned NSW not having a professional coach. We all know that a good rep coach is essentially a man manager, taking a bunch of extrmely talented players and getting them to work together. Meninga was amazing at this, little actual tactics but, he had an eye for selection. He made the Queensland team seem like the highest level a player could hope for. Once you have that in place it's much easier to build a culture that puts the team and success above the individual. NSW doesn't have that, at all. Daley's great but he's all about selecting good people and forming a plan and hoping it works. No one belives in each other, sure they looked like it in Game 1 where QLD didn't turn up, but, when the chips were down it all fell apart and we got crap like Hayne's non-pass; mitchell pearce rushing the line against munster; Fifita try WAY too hard at doing anything but being a good prop. It's garbage, all individuals looking to dig their team out with that one play or the 'spark'. NSW needs: 1. A coach who's versed in the ways of Meninga's approach to rep teams 2. Axings: for whatever talent they have, I feel that Hayne, Ferguson and Pearce have played their last. Hayne is too egotistical to be reined in. Ferguson's presence almost gives QLD a one man advantage and Pearce has had his last chance, not fair but you can only blame a poor team so many times. 3. Leadership - right now Cordner, Maloney, Dugan and maybe J Turbo should be in a room and talking about how they're going to turn this around, they're all good enough to be routinely selected, they'll be around for a while. 4. Luke Lewis, it's a genuine insult that he's not been selected, instant promotion to the leadership group too
Roger Ramjet
Guest
Oh it was Pearce but of course not - those Pearce bully's need spec savers - mate it was Maloney open your eyes and give a rest to your bias against Pearce
Crackers
Guest
Pride and Loyalty QLD have it and NSW don't ... We hear this time and time again... Is this true?? My wrap on this topic is as follows - QLD, a massive State have 3 teams that they feed players to. (well only 2 really as the Titans are owned by the NRL and are a joke or maybe a Token team) But then you also have Melb who get their main stream player fed to them from the QLD feeders, and the other 2 QLD sides are full with players who have League in their blood from birth. If you are serious about league you treat these players almost like gods and they come from direct QLD demographic areas. They don't usually search other states or further more other countries to fill their sides. They stay pretty true to their homes. On the other side we have the NSW based teams ... For start they have many teams in a small condensed area. To follow this they bring over and sign multitudes of Kiwi's cause they are looking to fill numbers and to get their quick fix. Then they have the likes of Freddy Fitler and Co searching Fiji and PNG for their tallent scouting income thinking they are doing the game good by dragging over unskilled players just because they are big, fast and can take a hit with their hard heads. Then on top of this lets throw in a fair mix of English players and various other players from around the world who don't and cannot qualify for the State Rep team. Not one of these players mentioned have any kind of loyalty to the NRL team they play for and most would and do jump for a few extra dollars. There is absolutely Nothing keeping them in their relevant teams besides the next dollar. Comparing the two Origin teams, we have QLD who come from QLD and love QLD. Live , breath and bleed QLD. That is where their team comes from. Then you have NSW... I can't pick him, him or him.. Nope not them over there either. They're all from Overseas and don't Qualify .... once you finally cut through all the imports that fill most of NSW teams, you are pretty much left with a third rate team. And then these players who can play are spending their days along side of the imports who just jump for cash, so they too have learned that bad trait of jumping and follow the dollar too.. Their Loyalty has gone out the window and we see fewer and fewer single Club players. No loyalty and not heart. There you go NSW Blues, that's what you get to chose your team from. The NRL really needs to look at where they have sent the game and how much in disarray it really is!! Screw sending Freddy to Fiji and PNG and start investing the money back into NSWRL. Focus on Australia but more so NSW, Stop putting the Australian people last.. Bring the game back to the people of Oz!!!
Bluey
Guest
And this is your great contribution to the conversation???
Psychodelia
Guest
very well said rebelpirate!