BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

You could be forgiven for New South Wales Blues fans thinking the worst leading into last night’s State of Origin decider at Fortress Suncorp.

History was against them.

One of the toughest road trips in all of sports.

The “Queensland spirit” and all that.

It was all set up for Billy Slater and his Maroons to jag another series at home in front of 50,000 fire-breathing, XXXX-chugging banana benders.

Then there was the Ash Klein factor.

A name that sends chills down the spines of any one south of the Tweed River.

But then something magic happened.

From the moment the whistle blew it was carnage.

Lighting and thunder cracked from the skies above like God’s giant fist itself appeared through the clouds, hitting Suncorp Stadium with an adrenaline shot to the heart that sent us on a schizophrenic ride through time and space and 80 minutes of rugby league debauchery.

Ash Klein, who?

How refreshing.

Full credit to the man in the middle.

Sure, there were still moments.

Like late in the match and the Blues up 14-4.

The desperate Queenslanders kicked long and as the chasers squeezed through the NSW defensive line, a Maroons player ran into the back of Jarome Luai.

Ashley “Grasshopper” Klein couldn’t help himself and stopped the game – allowing the Bunker to review a ‘possible penalty try’

Huh?

Thankfully the bunker knocked it straight on the head.

Then there was the push-fest to end all push-fests that finished with Jeremiah Nanai and Cameron Murray in the sin bin and Blues non-playing squad member Haumole Olakau’atu ejected from sideline.

Nanai was rightfully given his marching orders for escalating the 14th cat fight of the night between duelling halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Luai.

NSW’s Murray got ten minutes after running from Juniors Kingsford to get a piece of the action.

Mitch Moses stands up in the #WestpacRedZone! 😤#Origin pic.twitter.com/wzvNKyA4H7

— NRL (@NRL) July 17, 2024

“I’ve known Cam Murray for a long time and I’d never have thought he’d have jumped into something like that but it just goes to show what the group means to each other,” a purring Blues coach Michael Maguire said in the post-match press conference.

The NRL has already handed Nanai and Murray two-match bans.

Amid the chaos, headlocks and flying chairs, Sea Eagles enforcer Olakau’atu was booted – suit and all.

“There was more maroon than blue so I was just being a friend,” the hulking forward told The Sydney Morning Herald.

That’s bloody beautiful, mate!

Luai the game breaker! 🤯#Origin Thanks to @goodyear pic.twitter.com/rNkKlRAm4n

— NRL (@NRL) July 17, 2024

Best friends forever.

Despite being dominated physically and eviscerated tactically, Maroons coach Billy Slater had his back up after the loss.

The Queenslanders expected Murray to be sent for the remainder of the game instead of coming back ten minutes later.

“Things just weren’t going our way, it didn’t feel like we got the bounce of the ball or the rub of the green and that tells in the end with fatigue,” Slater said.

“I’m sure the referee will review his own game.

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“I’m sure his boss will review his game.

“That’s their job to review their own game and their own performance.”

That’s all a bit of a stretch, William.

To be fair, it has been a while since Slater has felt the pain of defeat.

Maybe he’s forgotten how to be gracious?

Slater and the Maroons will have plenty of time to practise if the Blues can go back-to-back in 2025.

@woodward_curtis