Queensland have strung together back-to-back wins over a heavily-fancied New South Wales side to romp to a fairytale State of Origin series victory.
The Blues eased to a comfortable win in the opening game of the series but came unstuck in Western Australia during Game II as the Maroons duly responded.
The foundation of that first shock defeat was QLD racing into a big lead at halftime and they did so once again in Sydney for the decider to leave the home crowd shocked and the Blues living inside a reoccurring nightmare.
This time, NSW were unable to summon the same kind of surge in the second stanza as they went down 24-12 to an inspired and almost perfect QLD side, who will bring the shield back to north of the border.
State of Origin 2025 Game 3: NSW Blues player ratings
1. Dylan Edwards - 5
The fullback was his usual busy self as he almost inevitably topped the charts for run metres, although he was found wanting for Harry Grant's try as the hooker brushed off the No.1 to touch down beside the posts in the shadows of halftime.
He was also blunt in attack throughout most of the contest except for a pass to send Stephen Crichton over for the Blues' first try that offered their side a brief glimmer of hope.
2. Brian To'o - 7
The Penrith flyer was under an injury cloud before Game II and III but on each occasion was arguably his state's best player.
To'o brushed off a knee issue this time around to power through his usual carries out of yardage as he churned through 270 metres. He also grabbed a late consolation try that his performance deserved.
3. Stephen Crichton - 5
On his first run, the centre got the better of his opposite number, Gehamat Shibasaki, to create a linebreak for Liam Martin. He then beat him the second time moments later as it looked like NSW and the Bulldogs skipper were in for a night to remember.
However, the match was then turned on its head and Crichton wasn't really seen again apart from when he raced to the corner to score his side's first four-pointer in the 55th minute.
4. Latrell Mitchell - 4
The South Sydney talisman tried hard all night but couldn't make it work with the ball as Robert Toia constantly shut him down out wide.
He was also targeted all night defensively as the Maroons zeroed in on the space between him and Jarome Luai to grab a few of their tries.
5. Zac Lomax - 4
The winger often found it tough going out of yardage but kept his head down and continued to run.
He also came up with a mistake in defence for QLD's first try as his attempted jam on Shibasaki led to Xavier Coates crossing for the first try of the night.
6. Jarome Luai - 4
The five-eighth produced a poor kick on the last tackle early in the game to hand the opposition a seven-tackle set and Stephen Crichton then compounded this error by hitting Kurt Capewell high as the visitors opened the scoring via a penalty goal.
The playmaker often attempted to link play out the back of shape but the Blues looked clunky on the left edge until Luai finally grabbed a try assist in the closing stages.
7. Nathan Cleary - 3.5
The four-time premiership winner had never won a series decider and was tipped to write his name into the history books once again with a decisive performance in this one.
Things didn't go according to plan for the halfback though as he struggled to ignite his side.
His wait for a series-clinching victory goes on as he actually ended up having more of an impact defensively than he did with the ball in hand.
8. Max King - 3
After a quiet game in Perth, the prop was handed another chance up front but once again failed to make much of an indent during his first and only stint as he finished with just 36 run metres from his six carries.
9. Reece Robson - 4.5
The hooker was tireless in defence and offered a few bright moments with darts out of dummy-half. But he did give away two crucial penalties that led to tries for the Queenslanders.
He worked himself to a standstill before eventually being taken off for Connor Watson after 50-odd minutes.
10. Payne Haas - 5
Smashed Josh Papalii off the kick-off and then produced a quality first hit-up to allay any injury fears initially.
However, the barnstorming prop was undoubtedly not at his best as he often struggled to bend the defensive line. Despite this, he still finished with 115 run metres and 41 tackles.
11. Liam Martin - 3
Found himself racing down the touchline in the opening minutes after an offload from Stephen Crichton but was reeled in by the defence in what was his only bright spot with the ball.
The backrower hurt his hand after 20 minutes following a hit-up but got strapped up and kept on going to finish with 55 run metres and 43 tackles.
12. Angus Crichton - 4
Valentine Holmes battered Crichton as the Blues looked to spread the ball out wide while coming out of yardage early on.
He attempted to be involved in everything but he was uncharacteristically poor in defence as he missed a game-high six tackles.
13. Isaah Yeo - 5.5
The captain stayed on for the entire match but was unable to guide his side to victory despite his best efforts.
The lock was his usual efficient self as he was the only forward alongside Haas to clock over 100 run metres. He also made a team-high 49 tackles.
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14. Connor Watson - 4.5
The utility was brought on for the first time with 30 minutes left on the clock, along with Hudson Young. Watson immediately provided energy and nous out of dummy-half but ultimately couldn't swing the match.
15. Spencer Leniu - 3.5
The enforcer was brought on in the shadows of halftime to plenty of fanfare but couldn't swing momentum as he had just one carry for six metres.
Leniu was actually handed the most time out of any other bench player in the end, although he was largely kept on the periphery.
16. Hudson Young - 4
The edge backrower tried his guts out playing in an unfamiliar role through the middle but couldn't provide his usual magic touches in his 28 minutes on the field.
17. Stefano Utoikamanu - 4.5
The under-fire prop was introduced after 20-odd minutes for King and made a few decent carries before pulling off a try-saving tackle on Toia.
Straight off the kick-off in the second half, he barged Reuben Cotter into next week off the back fence but that was all she wrote as he finished with just five carries and 28 tackles.