- Queensland won the 2025 State of Origin Game 3 by 24–12, clinching their 25th series title.
- The Maroons led 20–0 at halftime thanks to a perfect 100% set-completion rate across 21 sets in the first half.
- Tom Dearden scored two tries, was named Player of the Match, and claimed the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series.
- Billy Slater’s bold decision to replace Daly Cherry-Evans with Dearden after Game 1 proved decisive for Queensland’s series win.
- State of Origin commands a massive following in New Zealand, with Kiwi fans deeply invested in the outcome of every series.
The State of Origin Game 3 score of 24–12 in favour of the Queensland Maroons over the New South Wales Blues on 9 July 2025 delivered one of the most commanding series-clinching performances in recent Origin history. In this guide you will find the complete scoring summary, first-half dominance stats, a detailed look at the match’s turning points, the impact of Billy Slater’s bold selection calls, and what it all means for fans on both sides of the Tasman.
Quick-Reference: Final Score and Match Details
Before diving into the detail, here is everything you need at a glance from Accor Stadium in Sydney.
- Final Score: QLD Maroons 24 – NSW Blues 12
- Halftime Score: QLD Maroons 20 – NSW Blues 0
- Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Attendance: 80,256
- Player of the Match: Tom Dearden (QLD)
- Wally Lewis Medal (Player of the Series): Tom Dearden (QLD)
- Series Result: Queensland win 2–1; their 25th series title
Full Scoring Summary for Game 3
The 24–12 scoreline understates just how thoroughly Queensland controlled large portions of this match. The Maroons scored four tries to two, with Valentine Holmes converting three of four attempts and adding a penalty goal. New South Wales did not trouble the scoreboard until well into the second half, by which point the contest was already effectively decided.
| Team | Try Scorers | Conversions | Penalty Goals | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QLD Maroons | Coates, Dearden (2), Grant | Holmes (3/4) | Holmes (1/1) | 24 |
| NSW Blues | Crichton, To’o | Lomax (2/2) | N/A | 12 |
The timeline tells the full story: an early Valentine Holmes penalty goal in the eighth minute settled Queensland’s nerves, Xavier Coates crossed in the 18th, Tom Dearden added the third before halftime, and Harry Grant burrowed over from dummy-half to send the Maroons to the sheds with a 20–0 advantage. Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o both crossed in the second half for NSW, but Dearden’s second try in the 74th minute ended any lingering doubt.
First-Half Blitz: How Queensland Built an Unassailable Lead
The foundation of the final State of Origin Game 3 score was laid during one of the most disciplined opening 40 minutes seen in modern Origin football. Under coach Billy Slater, the Maroons executed a high-completion, field-position-first game plan that left New South Wales with nothing to work with.
Key First-Half Statistics
- Set Completion: Queensland 100% (21 from 21) — a remarkable feat under Origin pressure
- Possession: Queensland held 62% of the ball across the opening 40 minutes
- Metres Made: The Maroons outgained the Blues by more than 400 metres before halftime
- Missed Tackles: NSW recorded 18 missed tackles in the first half; Queensland recorded just 4
That 100% set-completion figure is the statistic that defines the first half. Every time Queensland had possession, they completed their set — denying NSW the repeat sets off errors that the Blues’ attack relies on. The tactical kicking game of Queensland’s halves pinned the Blues deep repeatedly, and the relentless running of their forwards wore down the Sydney-based side long before the final whistle.
The Blues’ Second-Half Fightback — and Why It Fell Short
Credit where it is due: the New South Wales Blues returned from the dressing sheds looking like a completely different team. With their season on the line and a vocal home crowd at Accor Stadium willing them forward, they finally found a way through the Queensland defence when Stephen Crichton crossed in the 56th minute. For a 15-minute window the momentum swung decisively toward the Blues, and it genuinely felt as though the Maroons could be caught.
Match Momentum Phases
- 0–40 minutes: Queensland dominant — 100% completion, tactical kicking superiority, three unanswered tries
- 41–65 minutes: NSW ascendant — increased intensity, Crichton try, crowd noise building
- 66–80 minutes: Queensland regain control — Dearden’s clinching try, resolute defence under pressure
However, the Blues could not manufacture the back-to-back scores that were essential to overturning a 20-point deficit. Queensland’s defensive line speed, which had been so effective in the first half, reset quickly after conceding and refused to give the Blues the soft repeat sets they needed. Brian To’o added a consolation try late, but Dearden’s 74th-minute score had already sealed both the match and the series. The final margin of 12 points was ultimately a fair reflection of the gulf between the two sides over the 80 minutes as a whole.
Tom Dearden: Player of the Match and Player of the Series
If one player embodies the story of Queensland’s 2025 State of Origin campaign, it is North Queensland Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden. Brought into the squad after the controversial decision to move on from veteran Daly Cherry-Evans following Game 1, Dearden played with a composure and creativity that belied the enormous weight of expectation on his shoulders.
Dearden’s Game 3 Statistics
- Tries Scored: 2
- Line Breaks: 3
- Try Assists: 1
- Tackle Busts: 5
- Total Run Metres: 115 m
His first try in the 26th minute came from sharp support play after backing up a break, while his second — the series-sealing effort in the 74th minute — was a masterclass in reading exhausted defensive lines. Stepping past multiple tired Blues defenders, he found the gap that ended all doubt. Over the three-game series, Dearden’s consistency, leadership under pressure, and ability to perform at the biggest moments earned him the Wally Lewis Medal, the most prestigious individual honour the series offers.
Coaching Decisions That Shaped the State of Origin Game 3 Score
Billy Slater’s willingness to make bold calls was arguably as important as any individual performance. Moving on from Daly Cherry-Evans — an Origin legend — after Game 1 sent a clear message that this Queensland squad would be built on current form and tactical fit rather than reputation. The inclusion of fresher legs in the halves gave Queensland a speed and unpredictability that the Blues’ defensive structures struggled to read.
The Maroons’ rush defence — designed to force errors and limit the time the Blues’ star-studded backline had to work with — was implemented with near-perfect discipline. The Blues’ coaching staff faced genuine scrutiny for their inability to find an effective adjustment to counteract this strategy. Despite having individual matchwinners across the park, New South Wales looked tactically one-dimensional for large portions of the contest, particularly in that critical first half when the series was effectively decided.
Slater’s preparation, game plan, and in-game management over the three-match series represent a high-water mark for Queensland coaching since the transition from Wayne Bennett’s era, and sets a compelling template for future campaigns.
Why Kiwi Fans Are So Invested in State of Origin
While State of Origin is technically an Australian interstate competition, the series commands an enormous and deeply passionate following across the Tasman. In New Zealand, rugby league is woven into the fabric of communities throughout Northland, South Auckland, the Waikato, and the West Coast of the South Island, and NRL stars are genuine household names in Aotearoa.
Many Kiwi fans have a tribal connection to the series through family ties to either Queensland or New South Wales, or simply through a love of the sport at its most intense. The 80,256-strong crowd at Accor Stadium included a significant contingent who had made the journey from New Zealand specifically for the decider — a testament to how seriously the series is taken here. The result and its drama will be debated in workplaces, pubs, and family homes the length of New Zealand for weeks to come.
The strategic complexity of State of Origin — the way small tactical decisions can compound into decisive advantages, much like the best card games — has an appeal that transcends pure rugby league fandom. If you enjoy competitive strategy under pressure, you might find that same itch scratched by exploring common poker mistakes every beginner needs to avoid, where reading opponents and adapting your approach mid-game is equally essential. Similarly, the patience and discipline Queensland showed mirrors the controlled thinking rewarded in games like Gin Rummy, where managing your hand and denying your opponent opportunities decides the winner.
What This Series Win Means for Queensland’s Legacy
Queensland’s 2025 series victory is their 25th title in the history of the competition — a number that underlines just how dominant the Maroons have been across the decades. While New South Wales has had periods of ascendancy, Queensland’s ability to regenerate, identify talent, and build a winning culture has remained a constant thread through the competition’s history.
For the current generation of players, many of whom were born after Queensland’s celebrated era of eight consecutive series wins between 2006 and 2013, this 2025 title carries particular significance. It confirms that the Maroon jersey still carries its mystique, and that the next generation has the ability to perform on the biggest stage. Tom Dearden, Xavier Coates, and Harry Grant are now Origin champions — a status that will define their careers.
Looking ahead to 2026, the key question is whether New South Wales can make the structural and selection adjustments necessary to challenge a Maroons squad that now has genuine momentum and a settled leadership group. Just as a well-organised hand in blackjack requires knowing when to hold and when to push, Queensland’s selectors will need to be equally measured in managing their squad’s development. New South Wales, meanwhile, will need to be as bold in their reset as Queensland were in theirs — perhaps taking a leaf out of the rulebook that governs decisive games like solitaire, where every move must be deliberate and forward-thinking. Occasionally, the best reset strategy is as surprising and effective as playing an UNO Reverse card — turning the momentum completely on its head.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final State of Origin Game 3 score in 2025?
The final score was Queensland Maroons 24, New South Wales Blues 12. The Maroons led 20–0 at halftime before the Blues scored two second-half tries in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful comeback. Queensland’s two-point-conversion margin does not fully reflect their dominance across the full 80 minutes, particularly in the opening half.
Who won the Wally Lewis Medal in the 2025 State of Origin series?
Tom Dearden of the North Queensland Cowboys was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series. He was also named Player of the Match for Game 3 after scoring two tries, making three line breaks, and being the primary creative force behind Queensland’s attacking game plan across Games 2 and 3.
How many series titles has Queensland won in State of Origin history?
The 2025 victory was Queensland’s 25th series title in State of Origin history. The Maroons are the most successful team in the competition’s history, most notably winning eight consecutive series between 2006 and 2013. New South Wales have also experienced periods of dominance, making the rivalry one of sport’s most compelling.
Why was Daly Cherry-Evans dropped after Game 1?
Daly Cherry-Evans was not selected for Games 2 or 3 following Queensland’s defeat in the series opener. Coach Billy Slater opted to bring in Tom Dearden as the starting halfback, seeking greater speed, unpredictability, and a playing style better suited to the expansive game plan Queensland wanted to employ. The decision proved a masterstroke as Dearden flourished in the role.
How large was the crowd at State of Origin Game 3 in 2025?
A crowd of 80,256 attended Accor Stadium in Sydney for Game 3, creating an electric atmosphere throughout the match. Despite the partisan home-crowd support for the Blues, Queensland’s first-half dominance silenced large sections of the stadium. The attendance reflects the enduring popularity of State of Origin as one of the most-watched annual sporting events in the Australasian region.
