The build-up to Origin II was dominated by talk of aggressive tactics and in the aftermath of their loss at the MCG, Queensland have been forced to concede they lost that battle
The Blues’ appetite for the contest went up several notches from their Game One defeat and was a big reason why they were able to level the series at one-all after an eight-point win.
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Scuffles seemed to break out on a regular basis throughout the 80 minutes but when it was all said and done it was NSW who were to bask in the spoils of victory.
It left the Maroons to front up to that cold reality in the sheds after the game.
"We got out aggression-ed and out-enthused at the end there and that is why they came up with the chocolates," Sam Thaiday said.
"That is what State of Origin football has been built on for many years, aggression.
"It was a very see-sawing game but that is what Sate of Origin is all about, trying to score points when the momentum is going your way.
"That's is kind of what happened, they'd score then we'd score so it sets it all up for a cracker of a game now in Brisbane."
Both sides traded blows with the first six point-scoring opportunities of the game as the lead changed three times before Josh Dugan put the result beyond doubt in the 70th minute.
The outstanding showcase of rugby league was played out in front of 91,513 fans at the MCG, the biggest ever crowd in State of Origin history.
Thaiday hoped that all of the Melbournians who had come out to watch the showpiece event had gone home with a better understanding of this great game.
"It was a tough brand of footy, if there were a few AFL fans who came to watch us hopefully we can convert them to rugby league fans," Thaiday said.
"There is a lot of feeling [in the series] and it just shows that NSW are the champions and we're trying to win it back.
"You can really see that out there, that everyone is trying their best and doing whatever it takes to try and make sure we can hold the shield up at the end."
