Maroons to draw on 2013 memories for Origin decider

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans will use Queensland's last win in a State of Origin decider in Sydney as inspiration his side can bounce back from Sunday's 38-6 thrashing by NSW.

Cherry-Evans was "gutted" by the severity of the loss and the way his side played at Optus Stadium but said his first series of Origin football has him believing the Maroons can win in Sydney.

In just his second Origin match in 2013 the Maroons went to Sydney for the decider and prevailed 12-10 on the back of a brilliant defensive display.

"2013 was my debut series and we won Game 2 and then Game 3 in the decider, which proves it can be done," Cherry-Evans said.

"I was lucky enough to win a decider in Sydney so it is not foreign territory for Queensland as a state to overcome that kind of adversity.

"I will make sure I am driving home that belief and make sure we improve on the training paddock during the week of training, first and foremost.

"I take a lot from Origin games that I have won, and in 2013 in Sydney I still remember how well we defended. We were under wave and wave of attack from the other side and prevailed on the back of a defensive effort.

"If we can throw all our attitude and effort into defence in Game 3 it will go a long way to winning that game."

Cherry-Evans said that the defence of the Maroons on Sunday was not up to the mark. Queensland missed 39 tackles as NSW tore them apart in the middle and on the edges.

"Defensively when you get that amount of points put on you then it is no secret that is where you have to improve," Cherry-Evans said.

"I am led to believe our coach said that it is a lot of an attitude and an effort area, and we will definitely take that on board.

"We need to be better with our effort on the field and certainly we will need to be more motivated to do that. There will be no lack of motivation for the decider."

Cherry-Evans said the return to a 10-day preparation, with most of it in Queensland, would suit the Maroons.

"I will definitely take a lot out of having a longer week and a long turnaround," he said.

"The boys will be able to freshen up and we will also get more time together to be able to make the necessary adjustments to our game.

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"We will identify that pretty early on. Defence will be certainly a focal point but we can improve with the ball as well."

Cherry-Evans said he took the heavy loss in Perth hard.

"I am pretty gutted," he said. "Losing Origin games hurt but I will make sure I keep reminding myself that it is a decider in two weeks and that puts a fire in my belly."