LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Queensland Maroons face a daunting challenge in the upcoming Game 2 of the State of Origin series if they want to reclaim the shield in 2025.
Despite the New South Wales Blues not playing at their peak during Game 1, they still dominated a struggling Queensland side.
The Maroons were outplayed from the outset, particularly in the middle third of the field, and although they managed to defend well initially, their lack of discipline led to significant issues.
By halftime, Queensland had missed 30 tackles, finishing the match with a staggering total of 54 missed tackles.
The game remained competitive largely due to missed scoring opportunities by Nathan Cleary and Zac Lomax, allowing the Maroons to stay within reach.
Ultimately, the Blues outperformed Queensland with four tries to one.
For the Maroons to keep the series alive in Game 2 in Perth, they must implement strategic changes if they hope to travel to Sydney with a chance of winning.