'They know they can be better': Maroons fixing for a fightback

“I think they're a gritty side, they know how to win football games, so the fact that we've done that before and we've been in that situation and even down to the last minute-and-a-half of the game,” Norris said.

“They know how to win footy games, so we've just got to get back to that and we've got to be gritty in this game. We've definitely got to go back to how we want to play.”

Norris has moved to reinforce her forward pack with Chelsea Lenarduzzi coming from the reserves to the bench in place of Destiny Brill, with Keilee Joseph back to her preferred position of lock.

The experienced prop was part of Queensland’s Game 3 triumph last year and has the nous and that bit of ‘mongrel’ that was missing for the Maroons as they were outmuscled by the Blues in Brisbane’s series opener.

“The impact that she gives us off the bench, she's a powerful runner of the ball, she gives us offloading factor as well, but she's definitely an impact player and that's what we want to see from her when she comes in and bolstering that bench,” Norris said.

“What people don't realise is she actually led the forward pack in Game 1 off the field, so she gave us that as a momentum and the energy that she actually brings not only on the field, but off the field as well.

“Adding her in to the pack and that mongrel that you're talking about; she definitely gives us that for sure.”

However, Lenarduzzi can’t do it alone, with the Maroons needing to fix a number of areas if they are to spring an upset series win - a task made harder by needing to claim the next two games south of the border.

The Maroons made 11 errors at Suncorp Stadium, missed 29 tackles compared to 13 by NSW and were also down in key statistics like run metres, line breaks and tackle breaks.

Norris also expects an improved performance from co-captain and halfback Ali Brigginshaw, who had an off game by her high standards, kicking out on the full early in the game to get their shield defence off to a shaky start.

After trailing 14-12 at halftime, the Maroons did not score a point in the second half.

"We went away from how we normally play, which is disappointing,” Norris said.

“The momentum in the second half is something that we definitely needed to stop – I thought we were okay in the first half – but our connection on the edges and in attack needs to improve.

“Not only that, our defence through the middle of the field needs to be a lot stronger, so it's definitely something that we can fix, and the girls know that. We just need to get on board and do it.

“I think we've been fortunate over the last couple of years with the spine that we've got and those experienced players like Ali Brigginshaw, she knows how to come back in these games.

“She's a tough player and she knows what it takes to win hard football games, so I'm looking forward to seeing what she can put on the park in Game Two because it's definitely something that she knows that needs to happen.

“The players are disappointed. They went away from how we wanted to play, so they're disappointed in that and they know that they can be better.

“It's definitely all stuff that we can fix internally. They know that they can be better Game Two for sure.”

Be there for Game Two of the Women's State of Origin at Allianz Stadium on May 15. Get your tickets now.