James Maloney justifies his inclusion and silences the doubters with star turn in Origin II

They said he only got a game cause everyone else went down but James Maloney stands alone as a Blues legend following his star turn in Origin II.

• TEST: Pressure goes back on Queensland

• RESULT: Blues destroy Queensland

He only got a game, apparently, because Braith Anasta was unavailable.

Oh, and Luke Keary.

Dally M leader Mitchell Pearce, too.

Throw in too the Origin I struggles of Cody Walker and this, undeniably, becomes a story of Steven Bradbury in the NSW No.6.

But you reckon any of this worries James Maloney?

Of course not.

You want Jimmy to save you an Origin series -- sweet.

If not, no drama.

They’ll be racing somewhere.

Either way, his Sunday night will be spent having a punt.

As it was in this one.

Maloney played a blinder. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

Only a few days after Blues coach Brad Fittler branded him last man standing -- joking that he rang Anasta but, given the little matter of being five years retired, the Fox Sports analyst wasn’t available -- Maloney went and did what Maloney always does.

He won something big.

And he did it by getting himself in everything.

Before kick off, the oldest player on the field had told NSW teammates to follow him and he would kick them to victory.

Which he did, and more.

Like after eight minutes, when Maloney bombed for Tommy Trbojevic to score first.

Then after 18 minutes, deftly passed for Tyson Frizell to score second.

Elsewhere, forcing repeat sets, defending his tryline, kicking goals, kicking 40/20s, challenging Dylan Napa, ... hell, the bloke even played bass for Eskimo Joe in the pre-match entertainment.

Or at least with think it was him.

And, sure, there were a few rough moments too.

Like when, off a Queensland drop out, Jimmy passed the ball forward to charging prop Daniel Saifiti.

Maloney set up two early tries. Picture by Brett Costello.

And then later, when he did the same with a long, spiralling pass which, putting winger Josh Addo-Carr over, was quickly overturned.

But this is what Maloney does.

Like it were a warm summer’s evening, and Jimmy on a train bound for nowhere.

He gambles.

Rolls the dice with Steeden in hand. Rolls it, defensively.

Rolls everywhere.

Which is why the Penrith playmaker, he concedes penalties, misses tackles, then wins more premierships, Origins and games that matter than almost any player not named Cameron Smith or Cooper Cronk.

Which was apt on this night in Perth.

For if you reckon Maloney gambled as the rain poured down, what about that Blues coach stood over on the sideline?

Maloney’s Origin legend is rapidly growing. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Freddy, the fella who dropped Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.

Who recalled Blake Ferguson, and gambled on the match fitness of Wade Graham.

Even created an Origin centre pairing from two blokes who don’t play the bloody position.

Oh, he gave Maloney a guernsey, too.

So who cared if Fittler never wanted him in Origin I?

By his own admission, Maloney is the type of bloke who forgets his mistakes within milliseconds of making them.

Like last year, when he won the Blues an Origin series despite the worst of intercept passes.

And in this one, he did it again.

Not the intercept, but leading NSW to victory.

A truth leaving Anasta unlikely required for the series decider.