The QLD did look unsettled most of the game. It lacked structure. It was the individual brilliance of Folau and Thurston that swung the game. But you are right that Gallen was an influential player for QLD. The shortcomings of his niggling style of play were exposed and he should never be picked again for rep footy.

Mason was ok. He did some hard runs but was the dominant figure a few expected him to be. And I don’t think he ever will be. Pearce was solid but Anasta’s, while not doing anything wrong, didn’t provide any extra spark.

And that was the difference between the two sides. While NSW has a solid, hardworking team, they lack gamebreakers like Thurston, Inglis and Folau. How NSW would have like Mateo to be eligible.

But congrats to Queensland. You wanted it more and held in their last night when it got tough.

Don’t just expect to win next year.

One of the best players for us was Paul Gallen. I thought Thurston or Slater might have been given man of the match, or one of the forwards, but I guess I’m not unhappy with Folau.

NSW won the yardage game most of the night and so many dumb things were going wrong that it seemed the football gods were against us. But Gallen giving us a penalty in front of the posts and a NSW flat pass being called forward late in the match when they were pressing evened things up.

Three series in a row is great, and not done by Qld since Beetson was coaching in 1982-4, I think. Let’s make it four next year!

Gidley the best for the Blues and Pearce has been solid. Inglis and Folau always dangerous for QLD.

And I’ve started bagging Ben Ikin over at Sidelined so live blogging is happening.

Good stuff Jason. And don’t worry Phil, there are some Blues supporters here.

Which once nearly got me thrown off the Qld Govt jet by a former Minister.

Bugger it, go the blues.

Darlene, that would have been Mark Geyer. I think the story was that Wally was trying to goad Geyer into losing it and getting himself sent off.

I’m thinking the Blues will win again, though probably once again through lousy adjudication.

C’mon Brian. That’s the excuse NSW are going to use if they lose. That is the whole point of Fulton’s tirade against Finch. And I agree with The Wok’s article. If NSW lose, Fulton had already aired his excuse. Much better than admitting culpability for his inept selections in the first two games.

Go the maroons.

My actual I was there football memory is of seeing Wally Lewis getting into a fight on a rainy night in front of a full house at Lang Park with a bloke who’s name was Mark Geyer (I might be wrong).

Now I live in Melbourne I should have an AFL team, I guess.

The second is that Bellamy might quit after the series. It seems he’s not happy with some of the NSW officials and doesn’t like coaching against his own players.

Interesting, but probably irrelevant to tonight’s game.

I must hasten away to clean my muddy knuckles again.