Blues let themselves down, as Queensland rise again

It can't happen again, can it?

In the words of the great Mick McCarthy: "It can".

Somehow, some way, we're back in a very familiar place. Queensland lifting the shield, and the state of New South Wales collectively shaking their heads as to how on earth this happened.

This was a far cry from 2020's 'Worst Queensland Team Ever', but there was still a clear gap in quality in the sides and plenty of reason for the Blues to expect to win. After all, we said after Game II, if not for goal kicking the series would already be over.

And remember, the first half of that game in Perth was as bad as things could be. The second was supposed to be a fairer reflection on the series; a series that many thought was well and truly over after Game I.

And really, who could blame people for thinking that? New South Wales was a state united when it came to the team selection and up north, several of coach Billy Slater's calls were raising eyebrows - as was his conduct before Game II when he looked well and truly like a man under pressure.

But sometimes, looks can be deceiving. And despite being given clear warning when the series was levelled that this was far from over, confidence was sky high, and betting markets incredibly short.

There will no doubt be plenty of soul searching not just now, but with one eye on next year as well. Cards will be marked. Heads will roll. A team that's selection was so universally accepted by fans will now, with the benefit of hindsight, be picked apart mercilessly. Where was James Tedesco? Why wasn't Bradman Best involved when he returned to fitness in June instead of being on an extended bench? How was there no room for Terrell May, the game's most in-form prop? Why so few minutes for Hudson Young, the game's best backrower right now?

These weren't questions that anyone was asking before the series (Okay, the May one was), or even after Game II - but they will be now.

There'll be plenty of time to examine each individual performance in the days to come, but it would be remiss not to mention Nathan Cleary, who had another tough night in the Origin arena. Far from the worst on ground, but nowhere near his best either.

The bombs were plentiful but not particularly threatening. The running game that has served him so well in so many big moments in a black or pink jersey? It was there in patches, but led to very little.

Cleary has not won a decider for New South Wales and has at times been a lightning rod for criticism after his performances for the Blues. And after a night like this, those people will be rubbing their hands with glee.

He played fantastically well in 2018 and 2021, but they were also the two series where the Blues had the least resistance from their opponents. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but there is a real chance that the game's best player is not a walk-up start next year.

In the post-dynasty era, which was supposed to be theirs for the taking, the Blues have now lost as many series as they've won.

And what of Laurie Daley, a figure so closely associated with the worst run in Origin history in 2010s, somewhat shockingly brought back to the head of the table this year? Was this second stint a one-and-done?

Plenty of time to find out - and apologies for the sombre tone so far, because as much as this was a nightmare for the Blues, it was a fever dream for the Maroons.

Their first win in a decider in Sydney in over a decade. A team that had been criticised for off-the-wall selections, rotations, and a lack of identity. But none of that mattered, because they're Queenslanders. And they get it. And we don't.