Centimetres turned hero-status to heartbreak for Badu Island winger Jasmine Peters night, with Queensland skipper and proud Barada woman Tamika Upton declaring none of her troops should hang their head after the State of Origin series slipped away in front of home fans.
NSW held onto the shield to turn game three into a dead rubber for the second straight year with a 14-10 win over the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Errors cost the home side, coach Nathan Cross said post match, though a last-gasp piece of brilliance ending in Peters' hands very nearly kept the series alive.
Having already been denied in the right corner by a Sky-Blues desperate try-saver to reclaim the lead, the party was spoiled after Peters' dying moments would-be match-winner on review upstairs having been given on field.
Her right foot just grazing across the turf in touch was seen quickly on the big screen.
It looked close live, admitted by both Cross and Upton.
The fullback and reigning Dally M Medallist still hoped there was enough time to steal a win.
"I didn't get my hopes up. I was sort of looking at the clock, thinking like we still have time, we still have time, trying to rally the troops. But that's what Origin's about," Upton said.
"Credit to New South Wales, they turn us away a lot, and ultimately that defence is what got them the win."
An early knock on deep in their defensive territory from Queensland allowed Gomeroi woman Jaime Chapman to get up to her usual business, diving over on the right wing to open scoring out of the resulting scrum.
Chapman very nearly had another to extend the Sky Blues' early advantage mid-way through the half before Keeley Nizza did exactly that just minutes later.
Upton had the try assist out of dummy half in Queensland's response four minutes from the break, put down by Rory Owen.
Jada Ferguson put the home side's noses in front 10-8 within ten minutes of the restart, before Jess Sergis scored what proved the winner in quick response, still leaving 23 minutes on the clock.
For the Sky Blues, Indigenous All Star Olivia Kernick led her side for tackles (29) and running metres with the ball (160) at lock.
Upton led the match for running metres (184), with Keilee Joseph busy in the middle sticking 32 tackles at 88 per cent efficiency.
Cook Islands international Chantay Kiria-Ratu played her second Origin match in the halves in a new-look and young Queensland line-up.
Upton hung responsibility onto her own shoulders following the loss, but reminded her side of their efforts in two nail-biters already played out.
"I think it would be really crucial for this group (to respond with a win in game three)," Upton said, "it's been two tight matches, which we haven't been able to seal."
"And to be honest that's my job as a leader. So I'll wear that."
"Speaking about the young girls that we have, they're honestly incredible. None of them should have their head down in that room over there, because they're outstanding on this stage — to be one of the first games of the year, and come out and do what they did against a pretty established side."
Cross added: "We've got to stop beating ourselves".
The Series heads to the Gold Coast for game three on May 28.
