STATE OF ORIGIN III AT A GLANCE
* RESULT: Queensland 18 (tries: Valentine Holmes 2, Daly Cherry-Evans; goals: Holmes 3) bt NSW 12 (tries: Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco; goals: Cleary 2)
* KEY MOMENT: With NSW leading 12-8 despite the Maroons dominating possession and territory, Blues debutant Tariq Sims inexplicably tackles defending marker Ben Hunt. He is penalised and the Maroons score on the next set through Valentine Holmes, before Daly Cherry-Evans crossed seven minutes later in what would be the last try of the match.
* MAN OF THE MATCH: BILLY SLATER. Farewelled the Origin arena in style with a try assist and three linebreak assists in the Maroons win. Almost had a try of his own in the opening stages, but a slight fumble as he regathered a Daly Cherry-Evans kick saw it denied. Slater was also controversially awarded the Wally Lewis man-of-the-series award – the first player to claim it in a losing team in Origin history.
* QUOTE: “There were a few players in our team that I would’ve chosen ahead of Billy in this series. The fact that he’s been a brilliant player for the sport, State of Origin, I can live with him taking away a medal. But it was more than for this series.” – NSW coach Brad Fittler on Billy Slater’s controversial selection as Wally Lewis Medal winner, suggesting Tom Trbojevic would have been his pick.
* TALKING POINT: Has Daly Cherry-Evans already put one hand on the Queensland No.7 jersey for next year? The Manly halfback answered his critics with the best Origin performance of his career after 1,111 days out of the side. He scored once and forced three line dropouts to stake his claim as the Maroons’ next long-term playmaker.
* KEY STAT: Queensland enjoyed 68 per cent of possession, had 29 tackles in NSW’s 20-metre zone, led the penalty count 5-1 and had the Blues reduced to 12 men late in the first half, but still trailed 12-8 at the break before the fatigue hurt the Blues late.
* INJURIES: Queensland – Cameron Munster (finger).
* JUDICIARY WATCH: NSW – David Klemmer (tripping).