NSW captain Isaah Yeo has the chance to join an elite group if he can lead Blues past Queensland in next week's State of Origin decider.
In a unique quirk, just three NSW skippers have hoisted the shield at Accor Stadium, with Yeo looking to become the fourth on Wednesday night and the second in 20 years.
Brad Fittler was the first when the Blues completed a 3-0 whitewash in 2000, before Danny Buderus joined him after a 36-14 victory in the 2004 decider.
The most recent, and potentially most famous, was James Tedesco after his miracle last-minute try broke a deadlock to deliver NSW the shield in 2019.
Blues etch their own miracle try into Origin folklore
While excited by the opportunity to join such an exclusive club, Yeo said Wednesday's match is about much more than an individual accolade.
"That's cool to hear but I think I do a good job not worrying about that sort of thing," Yeo said. "You want to win for your state regardless of what position you're in.
"You want to be lifting the shield because it means you've had success for your state so individual honours aside, that's why you do it."
The Blues have endured a rocky lead-in to Wednesday's decider, with five players on limited training duties as they navigate injuries.
Halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are on track, while Hudson Young and Payne Haas also remain confident they will take their place in the team next week.
Can find the line
Brian To'o is under the most doubt with a knee injury and must show positive signs at Saturday's session to remain on track to play. Jacob Kiraz will come into the side if the winger is ruled out.
To'o was one of the Blues best in Game Two, scoring a hat-trick despite playing with a hamstring injury.
Throw in an Angus Crichton try and NSW scored four of their five tries down the left edge at Optus Stadium. To'o also crossed the chalk in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland have made multiple changes to their backline throughout their series and will roll out their third different right-edge combination in the decider.
With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow shifting to fullback, Xavier Coates could return to the right wing and defend outside Robert Toia.
While the Blues aren't reading too much into the Maroons reshuffle, Crichton warned his edge will be even better in Game Three.
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
"We're definitely not happy with where we're at right now, we've got a lot more improvement in us," Crichton said. "We'll work really hard this next week to make sure we're ready.
"We need more [than four tries] next week."
Much of the fallout from the Blues' Game Two loss centred on the 8-0 penalty count against them in the first half.
NSW's ill discipline was compounded by a 58% completion rate, with Queensland capitalising to jump out to a 26-6 lead at the break.
The Blues came roaring back, but it was too little too late and the Maroons held on for a two-point victory.
A decider at home, nothing better
Coach Laurie Daley is considering changes to the side's pre-game routine to help prevent a repeat at Accor Stadium as they prepare for another Queensland ambush.
"We've just got to be more disciplined," Daley said. "The other aspects of our game in the first half weren't great so we're going to be a lot better.
"You can't afford to give a great team like Queensland that amount of possession. We made errors, we gave away penalties and the players are well aware without me having to tell them that if they do it again it's difficult to win games."
