Watch: Billy Slater’s ‘safe’ call that turned State of Origin series decider, cost Maroons momentum — and the game

Billy Slater was eyeing a hat-trick of State of Origin series wins with Queensland, but this decision by the Maroons coach proved costly in the end. Watch it unfold.

It was the play-it-safe moment that cost Queensland a shot at the State of Origin shield.

The Maroons fell short in their quest for a hat-trick of State of Origin series victories, and lost their unbeaten streak in Suncorp Stadium deciders in the process.

And there was one moment that proved decisive in their defeat.

After all the build up, the tension of the hour before, a lack of possession and next to no ball in quality field position, the Maroons took an easy option of a penalty goal instead of digging in to turn up the heat.

That moment — that was when NSW knew they had ‘em.

Billy Slater calls for the two points.

It was the 63rd minute when Queensland No.9 Harry Grant saw his opportunity.

The wily Melbourne dummy-half noticed his opposite Reece Robson wasn’t square at marker and he ran straight for him, chasing a penalty right in front of the sticks in the red zone.

Robson, desperate to get a hand on him, caught Grant around the head, and bingo. Whistle blown. Penalty.

All of Queensland’s big guns were on the field, with fresh strike weapon Kalyn Ponga only recently injected into the game off the bench — and seemingly ready to cause some damage.

With the scores two-all, the Maroons had a lead handed to them on a platter, and they chose the conservative option of two points from in front.

It was the wrong call. That was Queensland’s opportunity to win and the stats prove it.

Two minutes later, Bradman Best was away down the sideline to score the first try of the game and put NSW in front. The Maroons never had another sniff.

By the end of the night, Queensland finished with just 11 tackles in the Blues 20-metre zone compared to 41 in total for NSW.

They had just 36 tackles in the opposition half for the night — almost a third of the Blues’ total of 91.

After taking the 4-2 lead, not only did they not make it back to the Blues’ 20-metre zone, NSW scored two amazing tries to seal one of the greatest wins in Origin history.

Originally published as Watch: Billy Slater’s ‘safe’ call that turned State of Origin series decider, cost Maroons momentum — and the game