‘From another planet’: Desperate Origin act is simply stunning

Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has been showered with praise for his “remarkable” act in the must-win State of Origin decider.

Valentine Holmes, take a bow.

The North Queensland Cowboys centre has been showered with praise following Queensland’s dramatic 22-12 victory over NSW in Wednesday’s State of Origin decider.

The 26-year-old scored the Maroons’ opening try of Game 3 in the 12th minute to claim the all-time record for most tries in State of Origin deciders.

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But it was one “remarkable” act in the 69th minute that sent Suncorp Stadium’s packed crowd into a frenzy.

The Maroons held a narrow four-point lead when NSW halfback Nathan Cleary booted a flat line drop-out towards the sideline.

Queensland forward Tom Gilbert attempted to trap the ball under his foot, but instead it ricocheted off his ankle and bounced quickly towards the white paint.

Enter Holmes.

The Cowboys star sprinted across the turf and somehow managed the flick the Steeden back into play in one swift diving motion.

Holmes’ desperate act paid dividends, with Gilbert retrieving the ball to give Queensland another set from 30 metres out.

Channel 9 commentator Mathew Thompson called it “one of the most remarkable plays of the game”.

“This is a game from another planet,” he bellowed. “I’m not sure we’ve seen anything like it.”

The ball initially ricocheted off Tom Gilbert's ankle.

But Valentine Holmes somehow managed to keep the ball in play.

Holmes finished the match with 97 metres gained in 13 runs, 10 points, a linebreak, nine tackles and two offloads.

Queensland coach Billy Slater, who played 31 State of Origin games during his decorated career, declared the shock 10-point triumph was one of the best he’s ever witnessed.

“We knew that was going to take a fair bit of petrol out of our tank, but that is as good a Queensland victory as I have ever seen,” he told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“A resilient, tough performance. I’ve got some pretty proud boys in there and they have earnt that.

“I don’t think I’ve been any prouder of a team I’ve been involved in.”

Tom Dearden, Corey Oates, Jai Arrow and Valentine Holmes celebrate. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images