Not so long ago Latrell Mitchell was convinced NSW were "never going to win" a State of Origin game, let alone a series.
But after sparking the Blues' Origin series-clinching 26-0 game two rout of Queensland on Sunday, Mitchell says enduring the Maroons' decade of dominance had given him a "hunger" to take NSW to another level.
Mitchell dominated Origin II's first half, muscling up in defence before appearing to break the Maroons' spirit with a runaway 85m intercept try.
The Rabbitohs star and inspirational skipper James Tedesco proved the difference as NSW kept Queensland scoreless at Suncorp Stadium for the first time to claim their third series win in four years.
Match Highlights: Maroons v Blues
Mitchell looked like a man with a point to prove after his Origin future had appeared up in the air following his post-game one dumping two years ago.
But the 24-year-old said he had been spurred on by years of watching Queensland torment the Blues.
Mitchell admitted he was still smarting after witnessing the Maroons claim 11 titles in 12 years, a record-breaking streak that finally stalled in 2018.
He was revelling in the Blues' change of fortunes on Sunday night, warning Queensland that NSW were "built different" these days.
"There's a hunger there," Mitchell said.
"NSW have obviously lost for a very long time and as if you could beat that Queensland team they had over that period - it was unbelievable.
"As a NSW supporter you could see we were never going to win.
Mitchell intercepts a pass and goes 85m to score
"It was a credit to the NSW men who went out and battled every year. But this year is different. We are built different and the team is built different."
The Maroons' record series run from 2006 launched the likes of future Immortals Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.
Now the Blues appear to have discovered their own "Big Four" with Mitchell, Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and halfback Nathan Cleary cutting loose in this year's first two games.
But Mitchell reckoned they were just getting started, warming to post-Game Two talk of NSW launching their own golden era.
"I reckon we can go another level, to be honest," Mitchell said.
"I can't wait to build up the combinations even better.
"I have a good feeling, a good vibe around the team. It's the best team I have been involved in."
Two sides of the ball: Fittler singles out Mitchell after defensive display
Mitchell ensured plenty more good vibes when he provided the match's turning point in the first half.
He latched on to a Valentine Holmes pass and evaded a fast-approaching Xavier Coates in a near length of the field effort to make it 12-0 for the visitors as the Maroons appeared to drop their heads.
"I was looking for Foxx [Josh Addo-Carr]. I got to the 50m and thought 'Foxx will be here' but he was too tired," Mitchell laughed.
"By the time I got to the 10m, I thought I would dive early and ended up scoring. It changed the game I guess."
Mitchell enjoyed the try but reckoned he had more fun in defence.
Fittler brimming with pride over historic defensive effort
The physical centre was just as influential without the ball, grabbing possession in a one-on-one strip off Kyle Feldt before Addo-Carr crashed over for the opening try.
Time and again he piled the pressure on Queensland in defence, notably earning a repeat set when he muscled Holmes back into the in-goal area and also bundling Dane Gagai into touch before rubbing his Rabbitohs teammate's head into the turf - all before halftime.
"I love defence more than attack to be honest. I love getting in there and being physical," Mitchell said.
But Mitchell was far from satisfied by the game two rout that marked the first win at Suncorp Stadium for every NSW team member except Tedesco.
"We wrapped up the series, but the job is not done. We will switch on and get the job done [in July 14's game three]," he said.
