My lasting memory of last night’s epic Origin 3 at Suncorp was Billy Slater and wife Nicole in a big hug with tears flowing in concert with the rain.
But they were tears of pure joy.
Slater had earlier run onto Suncorp alone for the 31st and last time for Queensland, but the first time as captain, to such thunderous applause from the faithful that my television set took a wobbly.
In the early minutes he very nearly scored a try and, in the 30th, was denied another when NSW pivot James Maloney took him out without the ball, earning himself a trip to the bin.
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» WATCH: Complete match highlights from Billy Slater’s triumphant farewell
For the rest of the game the debut skipper was the inspiration, driving his troops to victory to avoid a series whitewash, and in the process picking up the man of the match, and man of the series awards.
It would be fair to say Billy went out with a big bang.
But it would also be fair to say halfback Daley Cherry-Evans, back in maroon for the first time in three years, pushed Slater all the way for the man of the match honour.
Cherry-Evans’ passing and kicking was sharp and accurate, and he covered an enormous amount of positive ground in general play – it was a sensational comeback.
He set up Valentine Holmes’ second try in the 52nd minute, and scored one himself under the black dot in the 58th to seal the win.
So, New South Wales won the series, but Queensland won 18-12 last night in front of 51,214 with 178 countries watching one of the very best of Origins called by veteran Ray Warren for the 90th time.
Holmes kick-started the scoring in the 11th minute with a 90-metre intercept to convert and land a penalty to lead 8-0.
For the next 26 minutes it was all Queensland hammering the NSW line, only incredibly courageous defence held them out.
Then it was Tom Trbojevic’s turn for a 95-metre intercept for NSW, and fullback James Tedesco’s for another try – both converted by Nathan Cleary with first-choice kicker Maloney in the bin.
The Blues led 12-8 at the break, and must have thought all their Christmases had come at once. How on earth could they lead with blow-all ball?
But the massive NSW defensive effort of 239 tackles to 137 in the first half took its toll in the second.
Three brain-dead decisions were costly.
David Klemmer deliberately tripped Ben Hunt without the ball and was lucky not to be binned.
Tariq Sims crash tackled the Ben Hunt, his marker, without the ball. Angus Crichton failed to offload with speedster James Roberts unmarked outside him, bombing a certain try.
It matters not, NSW was the best team in the series but Queensland the best last night, setting up the 2019 series with the big four of the decade-plus Queensland domination – Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, and Billy Slater – all moved on.
But standby for the Ponga-Cherry-Evans-Munster-Holmes era that NSW will have to overcome – Queensland just keep producing them.
Maybe Brad Fittler has found the key to making NSW a genuine contender, but it’s far too early to rate them the new dynasty.
One thing is certain, rugby league’s Holy Grail is in the very best of hands.
G M
Roar Rookie
Billy was not even second best in the series, that would probably go to Cook after Tedesco. Actually Billy probably also wasnt the best player on Wednesday night, DCE had an outstanding kicking display forcing dropouts at will, building pressure, and backing up when required.
Pickett
Guest
He played great, but to get the Wally Lewis medal for man of the series was a joke. As Barry put out, Tedesco was a standout for me. To his credit, even Billy looked flabbergasted when he got the medal.
DP Schaefer
Guest
Not Cleary, and as I've pointed out elsewhere, these people you mentioned lost form when Slater was on the park. I personally didn't agree with the decision, but given he brought his state up level and adversely affected the form of almost the entire Blues squad (few Blues improved after Game 1) the it's hardly such a bad decision. Slater was huge in 2 games others weren't. Even NRL site review acknowledged on averages he was above all others.
Jed Clampit
Guest
That has revived my faith in the legitimacy of such awards after the Fafita fiasco of a few years ago . It appears you can now , fool all of the people all of the time.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Hmmmmm. Look I get it, Billy has been a great player for QLD, the Storm and Australia for a long time now. He deserved to go out a winner and he did. He would have gone out a winner even if QLD had lost, well done Billy. However he certainly wasn't man of the series, and debatable as man of the match. I can understand the latter, he played well in his last game and nobody could really be too annoyed at giving him the gong. However the Slater love in had gone a step too far by giving him player of the series as well, especially considering he didn't even play in game 1. Just another laughably idiotic decision by the NRL. No surprises that 2/3 of the panel for the award are from QLD. Perhaps it needs to be renamed the Wally Lewis player of the series for QLD and be done with it. NSW can give out the Tommy Raudonikis cattle dog award to go with it and everyone will be happy.
canetoad
Guest
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/12/nrl.com-experts-on-who-should-have-been-origin-player-of-the-series/ you have got to laugh nrl.com bozo brigade The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations. yet it is NRL.com the online representation of the NRL ...
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
The Man of the Series award to Billy was fairly outrageous given he only played 2 games and QLD lost the series. However lets not overshadow how good he has been and how much influence he has on this QLD side. After missing nearly 2 years with shoulder injuries he came back in Game 2 of both the past 2 series and was very strong in all 4 games. I think he himself would have been a bit miffed about getting the Man of the Series.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Absolute joke of an award; maybe have a look at the betting!!!! Who backed Slater to win Man of series? He would have been 1000/1. Didnt play game 1. Played well in game 2; BUT LOST game 3: DEAD RUBBER, series over; played well. How can you get man of series???? Disgrace!! NRL is a joke.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Just saw these numbers posted on Facebook so I claim no credit for putting them together (or blame if they’re incorrect ?) It’s a comparison of Tedesco’s stats for the series versus Slater’s. They’re pretty compelling. Tries: Tedesco 2, Slater 0 Try Assists: Tedesco 2, Slater 0 Runs: Tedesco 54, Slater 30 Run Meters: Tedesco 502, Slater 254 Tackle Breaks: Tedesco 25, Slater 6 Line Breaks: Tedesco 4, Slater 0 Line Break Assists: Tedesco 3, Slater 2 Tackles: Tedesco 20, Slater 8 Errors: Tedesco 1, Slater 3
Paul
Roar Guru
Billy didn't play game one, played a bit over half of game two where his side lost the series, then played a full game three where he was good without being spectacular. JT should have won the player of the series last year on that basis! Tedesco was clearly player of the series followed by Tommy Turbo and then Cook.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Cleary??
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Maybe Man of the Match but not Man of the series. Maloney, Cook, Cleary were all better contenders.