History at Suncorp: Blues banish past demons to snatch bruising decider

It may have taken 64 minutes but a long-range Bradman Best four-pointer spurred the Blues to an historic 14-4 Game III win north of the border to reclaim the State of Origin Shield.

It proved a poetic moment for the Woy Woy Roosters junior who finished off a superb Jarome Luai break by shrugging away from a pair of Newcastle teammates and slamming the ball down.

Best’s introduction to the wider rugby league world was in Under 16s Origin in 2017 when he finished off a walk-off match-winner that started from his own in-goal area.

Those watching then had a sense of what the future was to hold for the boy with a moniker destined for greatness.

Mitchell Moses backed up Best’s effort the following set with a piece of individual brilliance that would prove the dagger and dispel any doubts surrounding the Parramatta playmaker’s poise on the big stage.

The Blues would avoid any late Queensland miracle with the ball ending up in the arms of Angus Crichton who would deservingly take home the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series.

Dylan Edwards was named Player of the Match for his 243-metre, seven-tackle break effort in just his second game as a Blue.

Luai waved goodbye to his hecklers as the Suncorp stands cleared out, Best sported a nasty gash across his upper lip, and Moses’ night ended moments shy of the siren due to a likely season-ending bicep rupture.

It was Jake Trbojevic however who hoisted the Shield as NSW broke a 19-year hoodoo.

Billy Slater made several late changes prior to kick-off with Harry Grant, Felise Kaufusi, and Moeaki Fotuaika inserted into the run-on side.

Best made a break in the opening set of the encounter before the clash roared to life courtesy of a barrage of brutality that sparked several push-and-shoves.

The most vicious of the melees erupted a half-hour in after Daly Cherry-Evans took issue with Luai after a drop ball prompting a coming together that spilled into the bench areas.

Jeremiah Nanai was binned for being the third man in with Cameron Murray joining him for involving himself despite being off the field.

Stephen Crichton went close to breaking the deadlock off it only for the ball to come loose short of the line.

Spencer Leniu was penalised just short of the break for an ill-advised escort with Valentine Holmes knocking over a gift two points to make it 2-0.

A late shot on Moses gave Zac Lomax an opportunity to respond on the other side of the break with a ballsy penalty goal from inches inside the right touchline.

Queensland hit the lead again 62 minutes in courtesy of another penalty goal as a result of a high shot on Harry Grant.

The injection of Origin rookie Connor Watson after it opened the game up for the visitors with Best and Moses both finding their tries within the space of three minutes to steal a famous win.

Each of NSW’s back five crossed the 100-metre mark with Isaah Yeo adding a characteristic 182 metres and 28 tackles without a miss off the pine.

Liam Martin and debutant Mitchell Barnett led the way with their aggression whilst No.9 Reece Robson again proved he was made for the Origin arena.

Queensland’s middle rotation was a little thin and NSW’s early chunk of possession bore fruit late in the game.

Pat Carrigan was strong adding 164 metres and 58 tackles playing the full 80 in the middle but the rest of the pack were unable to make the same impact.

Slater’s Maroons may have fallen short of an Origin three-peat but they won’t be down for long.

Michael Maguire’s Blues seemed to learnt a lot about themselves in Games I and II and now house the Shield as a result.

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