New South Wales is still in a state of shock the morning after the night before as Queensland produced yet another trademark performance, full of guts and glory, to reclaim the shield.
The Blues appeared on track to go back-to-back in State of Origin after easing to a comfortable win in the opener.
However, they were ambushed in Perth before falling flat on their face in front of their home fans, relinquishing their bragging rights.
MORE: NSW Blues player ratings from the decider | Laurie Daley defiant despite the Blues' horror loss
The two terrible defeats have already kick-started a post-mortem where Laurie Daley and Nathan Cleary have come under the most heat.
But where NSW goes from here after experiencing what has been dubbed one of their darkest moments in Origin history will be intriguing.
After all, it’s the type of defeat that could result in a few players’ cards being marked, regardless of who the coach is in 2026.
So, who could NSW potentially turn to next year when they attempt to wrestle the shield back from the Maroons?
Are Mitch Moses and Isaiya Katoa the answer for NSW after Nathan Cleary's no-show?
Mitch Moses has quietly become one of the most important lynchpins for his state over the past few years. In fact, the Blues haven’t managed a win without the Parramatta playmaker since Game II, 2022.
The debate about whether he could work in tandem with Nathan Cleary was all the rage at the start of the series. However, the duo combined well enough to get the job done in this year’s opener in Brisbane.
Yet injuries once again curtailed the luckless No.7 as he went down with a calf complaint in training ahead of Game II.
Jarome Luai was parachuted in as his replacement but the Wests Tigers skipper was unable to offer any of the main qualities that Moses does - mainly, a great kicking game.
With Cleary hampered by a groin injury in Perth and then rattled by QLD’s onrushing defence in the decider, he majorly missed Moses’ nous.
The halfback is there to gain all the plaudits when things go to plan and are kicked when they're down after their team loses.
This has always been the case and is especially the case in Origin, just ask Daly Cherry-Evans.
Therefore, it’s no surprise the knives are out for the Penrith star who has dominated in the NRL but has regularly struggled to convert this into domination over the Maroons.
His record in deciders now looms large over his legacy, despite the fact he has won almost everything there is to win in clubland, two times over.
Isaiya Katoa is the premier emerging talent and leads the competition for try assists as the Dolphins have often dismantled teams with the 21-year-old's ball-playing catching the eye.
It seems to be only a matter of time before the young gun is handed a Blues jersey but could he be brought in as early as next year in a bold leap into the future?
Could Liam Martin's time as a Blues starter be coming to an end?
The Blues missed all that Cameron Murray has to offer throughout this year’s series.
The Australian international is one of the best lock forwards in the game, linking play while also offering plenty of threat through his own running game.
His play-the-ball is one of the quickest in the game and would be purpose-built for this NSW side.
Murray can also play out on an edge, like he has done in the past to cater for Isaah Yeo, and would have offered more than Liam Martin has during this series.
The Penrith backrower often leads the charge in defence but he has been virtually non-existent with the ball in hand.
He made just 36 run metres in the series opener, 41 metres in Game II and then managed to crack the 50-metre barrier in the decider.
Martin has played every game for five straight series but could his time in the Blues jersey be coming to an end with the likes of Murray, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu breathing down his neck next year?
Will Mitch Barnett be brought straight back into the side ahead of Max King?
Mitch Barnett has won his only two Origin games so far and looked set to be Payne Haas’ partner in crime up front before cruelly suffering an ACL injury after the series opener.
The prop provided an excellent counter punch to Haas early in sets, while missing just one tackle throughout his two matches to offer solidity through the middle.
The veteran also has plenty of versatility as he can play at lock or on an edge, at a push.
If he manages to overcome his knee injury in time, Barnett should figure in calculations once again next year, with Max King the man to make way after largely failing to impress.
The 28-year-old was handed a hefty stint off the bench on his debut and churned through 100 run metres in the 18-6 win.
However, when he was brought into the starting side for the next two meetings, the Canterbury favourite found things much tougher.
He was given 25 minutes in Game II and 22 minutes in the decider, tallying just a few carries in each. He was then never turned to again in scenes reminiscent of how Jake Trbojevic was used in 2024.
Could NSW find more creativity out of dummy-half?
Reece Robson has had a mortgage on the No.9 jersey for the past few series and has worked tirelessly throughout this time.
The North Queensland hooker tackles himself to a standstill and can produce quality service around the ruck to help get his forwards over the advantage line.
However, he tends to give away unnecessary penalties, as evidenced in the decider, and has struggled to impose himself in attack.
In eight matches for the Blues, he has failed to register a try or an assist, while his running game hasn't caused QLD many problems either.
Api Koroisau was reportedly in the mix for duties this year but his time appears to have come and gone. So, blooding a debutant may be the move in 2026 with Blayke Brailey at the front of the queue right now.
The Cronulla No.9 matches Robson's defensive work and he offers the added bonus of creativity around the ruck that could add another element to the Blues' attack.
Should the Blues turn to new forwards to improve their bench rotation?
Many considered Keaon Koloamatangi desperately unlucky to miss out on a place in the 17 following Barnett’s injury.
The Tongan powerhouse has thrived while playing up front for Wayne Bennett this season, even though South Sydney's form has slumped.
The fact he has taken to the prop position so well is somewhat of a surprise after he was previously one of the most damaging backrowers in the comp.
This versatility will hold him in good stead though and should make him a strong contender for the bench as he seeks to add to his sole Blues cap from 2023.
Meanwhile, Terrell May was also unlucky to not be selected after being one of the most in-form forwards in the NRL to start the season.
Daley instead opted for Stefano Utoikamanu and Spencer Leniu as he believed the duo offered more impact off the pine.
Utoikamanu has simply failed to grasp his chance this series, while Leniu has been largely ineffective despite his headline-grabbing antics.
If May and Koloamatangi continue to chip away, calls for their inclusions will only grow louder for the Blues next year after they were outmuscled through the middle in the last two matches.