Blues won't “bully us around” in series decider, says Maroons legend

A former Queensland Maroons star has issued a stern warning to the New South Blues ahead of the series decider, declaring what happened in the demoralising defeat in Game II won’t happen at Suncorp Stadium.

Matty Bowen, who made 10 Origin appearances for Queensland including one of only two deciders the Blues have won at Suncorp in 2005, believed the Maroons would be inspired playing in front of family, friends and 52,000 fans tomorrow night.

The North Queensland Cowboys legend said he had no concerns about Billy Slater’s team responding with the series on the line at the cauldron.

“That’s our home ground,” Bowen said on SENQ Mornings.

“No one’s going to come in there and try and bully us around.

“There’s no doubt (NSW) are going to try and do that tomorrow and we want to win and we need to win in front of our home fans, our family who travelled from far and wide to come down and not just the family but our supporters across Queensland, we don’t want to let them down.

“It’s a big thing.”

Despite Queensland’s forwards being physically dominated in the 38-18 loss in Melbourne, Bowen said the Maroons still had the players to do the job against the Blues.

“Kurt Capewell’s been there before… I think bringing Dane Gagai back in the frame, his aggressive mindset not just in club games but more importantly when he puts that maroons jumper on and (Ponga) coming back (will be big),” he said.

“(Daly) Cherry-Evans and Benny Hunt need to stand up tomorrow night for us to go on and win the game but it starts from the front as all front-rowers say.

“If they do their job, no doubt our backs – we’ve got a good backline who can finish off tries.”

Game III at Suncorp Stadium is sold out with Queensland looking for three straight series wins while the Blues are aiming for their first series victory since 2021.