Seemingly down-and-out and up against a rampant New South Wales knowing only a win would do in the west, Queensland produced a typical Maroons performance to silence the doubters and level the series.
Billy Slater's side simply had no answers for their rivals' power game through the middle in the State of Origin opener last month, yet the tables were well and truly turned during a dominant first half in Game II.
QLD raced into a commanding 26-6 lead at the break, only to hold on by their fingernails to battle to a 26-24 win and take the series to a decider in Sydney.
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State of Origin 2025 Game 2: QLD Maroons player ratings
1. Kalyn Ponga - 5
Dropped his first Nathan Cleary bomb while under pressure from Zac Lomax but he got away with the error. He was then brushed off by Cleary close to the line, although the Bunker chalked off the four-pointer due to an obstruction.
Despite his shaky efforts in defence, Ponga looked sharper with the ball than he had in Game I, posing some issues for the Blues' defence on the edges as his side enjoyed a weight of possession in the first half.
It was still a relatively underwhelming display from the fullback though apart from one stunning solo run late in the piece that nearly led to a try-scoring opportunity.
2. Xavier Coates - 4
The winger was one of QLD's best in the series opener but saw very little of the pill in this one as he was switched to the left side. Incredibly, he registered just one run in the first stanza for 16 metres.
He finished with 69 run metres but had zero opportunities in attack.
3. Robert Toia - 6.5
The rookie showed plenty of composure to lure Latrell Mitchell in and dish off to his winger for his side's first try.
It was one of numerous quality touches with the ball, however he did struggle to contain Mitchell at times in the second stanza.
4. Valentine Holmes - 7
Rushed out and put his body on the line against Liam Martin in an early sign of intent.
However, he was found out by his opposite number, Stephen Crichton, in the second half as he slipped off an attempted tackle as the Canterbury skipper powered over to cut the deficit to 12 points.
Holmes remained in the arm wrestle though throughout and never took a backwards step while being perfect from the boot which proved to be the difference in the end.
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - 7
After back-to-back penalties and two set restarts, QLD finally cracked NSW as the Hammer strolled over untouched in the corner to score his side's first points of the night.
The flyer had been switched from out of the centres onto the wing from Game I and he showcased his aerial prowess when he jumped over Brian To'o to score his second and put the Maroons into the lead.
Although he did have a moment to forget in the second half, when he released QLD's defensive pressure when he made a mess of Jarome Luai's kick on the halfway line.
From the resulting set, To'o crashed over for his hat-trick as the Blues stormed back into contention with the Hammer often looking shaky in defence.
6. Cameron Munster - 9
The newly-appointed captain booted his first grubber dead and then compounded this early error when he gave a six-again away on the last while defending his own line moments later.
Yet the five-eighth was a man on a mission and soon atoned for the mistakes as he produced one of his best Origin displays in memory.
He constantly threatened through his running game and was involved in absolutely anything and everything, with his crowning moment arriving when he crossed for a four-pointer to extend QLD's lead to 20-6.
7. Tom Dearden - 7
The playmaker had plenty of weight on his shoulders after taking the No.7 jersey from former skipper Daly Cherry-Evans. And he got off to a great start with a pin-point kick for Tabuai-Fidow to score his second.
From there, Dearden was happy to take a backseat as he allowed Munster to dominate the kicking game and do his thing.
8. Moeaki Fotuaika - 6
The prop was criticised for his lack of go-forward in Game I and seemed hell-bent on this not happening again. He led his side for run metres in the first stanza with 73 in his first stint. Yet he did not return to the fold to add to this work.
9. Harry Grant - 8.5
He was sent flying by club teammate Stefano Utoikamanu during the substitute's first carry but had already equipped himself in defence far better than he had in Game I.
The hooker was also much improved in attack as he cut out his errors and ill-discipline to manipulate the ruck.
He skipped out of dummy-half after a quick play-the-ball to leave the Blues' defence at sixes and sevens before he sent Munster over for QLD's third.
In a gutsy showing, the No.9 played the entire game in the middle and finished as his side's top tackler with 55.
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - 4
The big prop dropped the ball coming out of yardage in the scrappy opening exchanges, with To'o opening the scoring just a few plays later thanks to a bold Luai grubber early in the tackle count.
Tino then dropped it for a second time shortly afterwards when under pressure from Martin, who let him know about the mistake.
Overall, not the best display from the Gold Coast skipper who made just 51 run metres from eight carries on an error-riddled night.
11. Reuben Cotter - 8.5
Posted out on an edge once again, Cotter tackled and ran himself to a standstill with his biggest play coming in the final 15 minutes as he jarred the ball from Hudson Young as the Blues threatened.
The forward finished with 85 run metres and 43 tackles to be one of his state's best.
12. Kurt Capewell - 9
The veteran was a surprise call-up for Game II but looked right at home in the side as he brought his great form from the New Zealand Warriors all the way across to Perth.
He drove Haas back in a solid tackle to stop some early momentum before touching down for a four-pointer just before the break.
His attempted offload early in the second handed the ball over to the Blues as To'o scored his second to kick-start the comeback. But he produced an enormous tackle on Haas again in the final minute to help deny NSW.
13. Trent Loiero - 7.5
The Storm lock was promoted off the bench into the starting side in a shock call from Slater but didn't look out of place as he churned through his work in defence while also putting his hand up for some tough carries.
He registered 84 run metres and 41 tackles with just one miss to justify the coach's call.
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14. Kurt Mann - 6
The utility was brought on for Loiero with 10 minutes remaining in the first stanza and produced an offload for Capewell to score in the shadows of half-time to blow out the lead to 26-6.
The veteran got through his work with minimal fuss to provide a solid impact off the pine.
15. Lindsay Collins - 6.5
The forward was brought on along with Patrick Carrigan and was targeted by his Chooks teammate Spencer Leniu off a kick-off in a brutal collision that shook Optus Stadium.
He constantly put his hand up for the tough carries and tried to pull off a number of big hits. However, his appetite in defence did lead to him missing a team-high six tackles.
16. Jeremiah Nanai - 4
Brought on with 25 minutes remaining in the contest but got the Steeden stolen off him by Mitchell that the Blues scored off to cut QLD's lead further.
He had just two runs during his stint to close out the match with his defensive duties taking precedence. This was a far cry from all the attacking intent he showcased in the series opener.
17. Patrick Carrigan - 7
Introduced off the pine after 25 minutes as the first cab off the rank and immediately had two carries during his first set on the field.
A relatively quiet night for the Brisbane star though as he finished with 87 run metres from 10 carries to go with 19 tackles.