State of Origin U19s: NSW defeat Queensland 14-10, Mitchell Woods and Chevy Stewart star for victorious Blues

There was an all-in melee and a KO to a Panthers young gun, but more importantly some glimpses of future NRL starpower as NSW sealed U19s State of Origin victory over Queensland.

Jesse McLean leaves the field after a brutal head knock. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Emerging Parramatta hooker Matt Arthur has paid credit to his dad after scoring the match-winning try for NSW in a spicy under-19s State of Origin clash on Thursday night.

The son of former Eels mentor Brad Arthur, Matt was on track to make his NRL debut under his dad before his exit as head coach back in May.

With Brad watching in the stands, the 19-year-old NSW Cup dummy half showed he’s still on his way to the top in a 14-10 win over Queensland.

He scored a thrilling try late in the second half at Leichhardt Oval as well as 35 tackles in a classy performance for the Blues.

“I’m stoked,” he said.

“It’s a dream come true to pull on the blue jersey.”

The biggest reason he was there? His dad.

Matt Arthur of NSW. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

“My old man, he’s been helping me a bit,he’s relentless, helping me a lot with my game since I was a kid,” he said.

“He’s been enjoying a bit of time off, he’s getting a bit bored at the moment but he’s good.

“As a kid, he was always pushing us, teaching us little things, taking me and Jake to the park to do little extras, doing the little things and just what it takes to play each week.”

A sharp ball from man of the match and Blues No.1 Chevy Stewart put him over next to the posts, breaking a tense 10-all deadlock in front of a crowd of more than 5000 people.

Raiders fullback Stewart was a class above for the Blues with 175 running metres, 13 tacklebreaks, three line-breaks and a try despite plenty of attention from the heaving Maroons.

Chevy Stewart scores a try. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Mitchell Woods was on fire for NSW. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

STAR IN THE MAKING

In the No. 7 jersey Mitchell Woods was on fire.

The 18-year-old rising Bulldogs halfback showed why the club went to battle with Sydney Swans for his signature.

Still in high school, he was a part of the Swans Academy and could have had a career in AFL, but ultimately signed with Canterbury until the end of 2027.

As expected, his boot was impressive with 234 kicking metres for the night.

Jesse McLean leaves the field for a HIA after a brutal head knock. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

THE MOMENT

Rising Penrith winger Jesse McLean lasted just two minutes after a cover tackle went wrong.

The NSW speedster was knocked out when his head caught the hip of Queensland winger Tyreece Tait streaking down the sideline.

There was immediate concern as he laid prone on the field, but after some quick attention from medics he walked off the field to be ruled out and finish his night early.

McLean has played two NRL games for the Panthers after making his debut in 2023.

Tempers flare between the two sides. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The action spills onto the fence. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

It was a flashpoint moment and the hatred erupted shortly afterwards when the two sides came together for some push and shove that spilt over the sideline and into the Leichhardt Oval fences.

No one was sin-binned, but Maroons five-eighth Stanley Huen, who is a part of the Storm development system, was warned for rushing in to instigate the melee.

IN THE WILD

Lost but not confused, a healthy looking possum caused a stir in the Leichhardt Oval grandstand.

It wasn’t his first rodeo.

Unafraid of the crowd, the local critter went on a self-guided tour of the media facilities, helped himself to a cold party pie or two and had his pick from food scraps in a bin.

With a development finally approved for the Inner West relic hopefully his home is relocated somewhere safe and appropriate nearby.

Originally published as State of Origin U19s: NSW defeat Queensland 14-10, Mitchell Woods and Chevy Stewart star for victorious Blues