Queensland left New South Wales stunned as they won back State of Origin bragging rights on Wednesday evening – and many Blues fans who watched the rout at Accor Stadium made a stunning statement with their feet.
Queensland’s dominant 24-12 victory in game three clinched the series, leaving Cockroaches fans heartbroken and disgusted by one of the state’s most crushing defeats in Origin history.
Several videos posted to social media captured streams of Blues fans pouring out of Accor Stadium in their hundreds long before full-time.
‘Sitting at home as a non NRL person and saw the crowd leaving the stadium thinking the game was over. Turned on the TV to see there’s still minutes on the clock…’ posted an X user who uploaded the video.
Another video posted by sports journalist David Riccio showed waves of Blues fans heading to the doors as early as the 70th minute.
‘Because they paid hundreds of dollars to watch trash,’ explained one X user.
The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues’ fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated in a 24-12 win that many fans found too hard to watch
‘Hopefully Laurie Daley leaves with them,’ posted another.
‘Pathetic from NSW,’ said a third.
The game-three loss was a sour end to Daley’s first series back as coach, after optimism had been signalled by the return of the man who famously snapped Queensland’s eight-year run of dominance in 2014.
But Daley’s record as coach across his two stints now stands at one series win from six in charge, with a winning rate of just below 39 per cent.
At full-time, Daley laughed off speculation his job could be in the firing line after the collapse and said he was ‘most definitely’ the right man to continue leading the Blues’ new era.
‘While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn’t nail the moments,’ he said.
‘We’ve got to make sure we’re better at that.
‘I don’t see any reason why that group can’t (win it next year) … no issues there, mate.’
A near-flawless Queensland side defied the odds to claim the State of Origin series
Blues fans were shocked by the stunning rout at Accor Stadium – and many decided to leave before full-time
In contrast, Maroons supporters flicked the switch to party mode after the victory (pictured, Queensland stars Kurt Capewell, Cameron Munster, Pat Carrigan and Trent Loiero celebrate with fans)
The playing group rushed to Daley’s defence after the loss.
‘He wasn’t the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players,’ said halfback Nathan Cleary.
‘He committed a lot to this preparation. I thought the preparation was really good.’
Second-rower Liam Martin said the playing group needed to shoulder the blame.
‘We let him down,’ said Blues second-rower Liam Martin, whhen asked about Daley.
‘We are so disappointed as a playing group because the coaching staff, ‘Loz’, everyone involved, deserved so much more from us.
‘If there’s any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not ‘Loz’. He couldn’t have done much more.’
After his first Origin series, Max King conceded speculation would trigger speculation as to positions, including his own in the forward pack.
‘I think Laurie’s been great. That probably adds to the disappointment, Laurie and the staff have done such a great job,’ he said.
‘I think that’s a big part of it, losing, you feel responsible. That comes with losing, there’s going to be a lot of talk, coaches, positions, a lot of players come under fire, myself and whatnot.
‘That’s just what comes with losing.’
