Tide turns as Queensland get a taste of their own medicine

When Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis were at the peak of their powers, a sense of inevitability always lingered even if NSW kicked out to an early lead in a must-win match.

With that quintet no longer in the picture, the shoe is on the other foot.

Queensland did all they could.

They looked shot when Damien Cook crossed to open up a 20-8 lead.

Then, somehow, someway an Ethan Lowe chargedown and clutch conversion set up the grandstand finish to end all grandstand finishes.

But when James Tedesco slammed the ball down for the match winner, Maroons fans had their hearts ripped in two.

The tide has turned. Now, it is NSW who manage to find ways to win when their backs are against the wall.

Queensland shot themselves in the foot, just as NSW did repeatedly during the eight straight series defeats.

The usual suspects did the most damage.

Queensland's right edge - Daly Cherry-Evans, Will Chambers and Dane Gagai could not lay a hand on Tedesco.

The Maroons have not been able to stop the Roosters fullback for the last two series defeats.

They haven't done a great job containing his partner in the middle third of the field, Damien Cook, either.

That pair threw the fatal one-two punch which will leave Queensland fans pondering whether their own decade of misery is around the corner.

Fortunately for Queensland fans, the decider wasn't all doom and gloom.

The Maroons gave Brad Fittler's men an early scare by pinning their hopes on three pillars.

Firstly, Cam Munster had to thrive at fullback in place of the injured Kalyn Ponga. Check.

The Queensland custodian was at his tackle-busting best.

Secondly, Corey Norman had to prove he would be more than a one-game Origin wonder. The jury is still out there.

In the first half, Norman was not fazed in the slightest by the sold-out crowd at ANZ Stadium.

His second half let plenty to be desired.

But for Munster to thrive and for Norman to prove he will be more than a one Origin wonder, the Maroons' pack had to stand up.

They were belted from pillar to post in an embarrassing effort at Optus Stadium but with the series on the line, there was a far better platform set by the men in the middle of the field for the Maroons.

Josh McGuire was at his metre eating best and did an effective job slowing NSW down on the other side of the ball.

Josh Papalii charged his way to 44 pivotal first-half metres with his first five touches of the ball and Joe Ofahengaue proved why he was sorely missed in Perth with an industrious performance, too.

Ben Hunt cut several NSW forwards in half in defence and in attack, weaved his way out of dummy-half to pose a threat outside of the ubiquitous Munster.

But after starting so well and managing to fight back, Tedesco stole the show and Queensland were left licking their wounds.