It’s the biggest game of the year so far, with the 2019 Holden State of Origin series on the line. Which player will make the biggest impact in Wednesday’s series decider at ANZ Stadium? The NRL.com experts have their say.
NRL.com's experts view
Michael Chammas (NRL.com chief reporter)
If the conditions aren’t too greasy, Damien Cook is going to wreak havoc through the middle of the field and win man of the match honours. Expect James Tedesco and Trbojevic to capitalise on his speed out of dummy half.
Brett Kimmorley (Former NSW halfback)
James Maloney. His kicking game, composure and all-round execution of set plays and possibibly also goal kicking will be of a high standard.
Brad Walter (NRL.com senior reporter)
James Tedesco. The Blues fullback has been one of his side’s best in the first two Origins and will be a key player if NSW retain the State of Origin Shield.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Joel Gould (NRL.com reporter)
Cameron Munster was filthy with his own performance in the Game Two loss in Perth. Expect the Melbourne star to play the game of his life and inspire a famous Queensland victory.
Margie McDonald (NRL.com senior reporter)
Damien Cook – ANZ is his home ground at club as well as state level. He also made 91 metres from dummy-half in 11 runs in game two, while opposite No.9 Ben Hunt made 34 metres off 10 runs. Cameron Smith had seven MoM awards in his Origin career – Cook due to get his first.
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Paul Suttor (NRL.com editor)
Tyson Frizell carved up the Queenslanders on the edge in Origin II and should be given long minutes in the series decider because the more he’s on the field, the greater his impact will be in attack and defence.
Maria Tsialis (Big League editor)
James Tedesco has been so close to being the best player on the park in both Games One and Two - if NSW win, he'll take out man of the match honours.
Steve Renouf (Maroons legend)
I picked Daly Cherry-Evans as man of the match in the first two games. Hopefully he can achieve that at ANZ Stadium. I am tipping Queensland to win this game in golden point with Norman to kick the winning field goal on his Origin debut.
Jamie Soward (former Blues five-eighth)
Jake Trbojevic is my pick to be man of the series. He can help the Blues win the game in the first 20 minutes not necessarily on the scoreboard but with intensity and little moments.
Tony Webeck (NRL.com reporter)
Damien Cook will be named man of the match. His impact out of dummy-half will be immense and he'll also shoulder a mountain of work in defence.
Chris Kennedy (NRL.com reporter)
James Tedesco is my pick to earn man of the match honours and Jake Trbojevic to take out the Wally Lewis Medal.
Lone Scout (NRL Fantasy expert)
Daly Cherry-Evans. If the Maroons are going to cause an upset their playmakers will need to shine, and with Cameron Munster set to shift to fullback a lot will rest on the shoulders of Cherry-Evans. He's shone in big games before and his 2013 Clive Churchill Medal win suggests he doesn't even need to be on the winning side to take out individual awards.
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Corey Rosser (NRL.com reporter)
James Maloney. He has played his two best games of 2019 in the past fortnight, starring for both NSW and the Penrith Panthers, and if NSW win he will be the man at the centre of everything.
Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)
James Maloney has been terrific in his return to the Origin scene and is ready to dominate yet again.
Kenny Scott (NRL.com podcaster)
Damien Cook has had a solid series so far and is due for a man of the match performance. The Blues will open the Maroons up right through the middle and will all be lit from the spark that Cook provides with his quick acceleration from dummy half. A fitting end to what will be a great series for the moustachioed maestro.
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Jonathan Healy (NRL.com reporter)
Damien Cook can claim the man of the match award by setting up a few tries and directing the Blues around the park.
Tanisha Stanton (NRL.com reporter)
James Tedesco. Not only did the fullback produce two solid performances in the first two Origin clashes but he’s been in fine form for the Roosters as well. The best of the best step up when it really matters and I feel that this will be the case for Tedesco again on July 10.
