Maroons trump Blues in legendary State of Origin decider
Queensland has come out on top in a brutal contest at Suncorp Stadium to seal a State of Origin series victory.
The Maroons last night shut the Blues out in the second half to secure a 22 to 12 win in the series final.
Ben Hunt has just cemented himself in Origin history. In Game III, in a decider, at Suncorp.
It doesn't get more poetic than that.
🖥️ The Decider | Exclusive, Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.#Origin #NRL pic.twitter.com/9znY5h0uP9
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) July 13, 2022
It was a brutal contest for much of the game, with three players, including fan favourite Selwyn Cobbo, concussed in the opening minutes.
Tempers boiled over just one minute into the second half when a bloody punch-on saw centres Dane Gagai and Matt Burton sent to the bin.
The clash was sparked when Burton bowled over Kalyn Ponga behind the play as the Maroons attacked.
Taking great exception to the incident, Gagai stormed over to knock the Panthers star to the turf.
Press PLAY below to hear Laurel, Gary and Mark’s Game III highlights
Coach Billy Slater says he’s in awe of what his team produced with their backs against the wall.
“I don’t know if I’ve felt any more proud, other than my children being born, than I do right now,”
“What an effort that was; that was an incredible game.”
Kalyn Ponga was named Player of the Match after making a solo try that propelled the Maroons into the lead with just 19 minutes left on the clock.
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Not to be forgotten, Origin debutant Pat Carrigan won the Wally Lewis Medal for his incredible performance throughout the series.
“I don’t know what to say,” he remarked after being propelled onto the stage beside The King.
“I think the two fullbacks of both sides, probably one of them should be wearing this.”
It may be true a raft of players in this year’s series were deserving of the honour but Carrigan’s stats didn’t lie.
He laid a game-high 45 tackles and ran for 130 metres last night.
Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images