New South Wales won their second State of Origin title in five years with a game to spare after beating Queensland 18-14 at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
But they had to do it the hard way after falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter and playing the majority of the final stages with 12 men following James Roberts' yellow card.
Queensland were first to score thanks to Valentine Holmes' try which was followed 10 minutes later by Dane Gagai's ninth Origin try in nine games to give the Maroons a 10-0 lead after 18 minutes.
Josh Addo-Carr got the Blues back in the game with his second try of this year's series before a penalty try and James Maloney's second conversion gave New South Wales a 12-10 lead at the interval.
Latrell Mitchell's converted try 10 minutes into the second half extended the Blues' lead to 18-10 before Will Chambers reduced the deficit by four points with 18 minutes remaining.
Roberts was sent to the sin-bin in the 68th minute for a professional foul on Gavin Cooper, but no penalty try was awarded and with it went the Maroons' chances of winning their 12th shield in 13 years.