“This win is not only for the players,” the message read.

“If you have stuck by us, if you have cheered for us when it hasn't been easy - this win is yours. Congratulations - you're an #Origin champion.”

Over 12 of the last 13 years, heartache and wearing sky blue have gone hand in hand, but this year it was going to be different.

With the Blues grimly hanging onto an 18-14 lead with less than a minute to go, it was vintage Queensland time.

But this year, the baby Blues were not going to be denied as they scrambled in defence one last time.

Before a ball had even been kicked in game one, it appeared this year would be the year because there was a distinct Mid-North Coast flavour.

Most of it was on the blue side of halfway as you’d expect with Taree duo Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner joining Kempsey’s James Roberts.

Another Taree lad – Danny Buderus – was coach Brad Fittler’s right-hand man.

The more you think about it and reflect, maybe that was all that was missing all along and the Blues just needed more influence from the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

We can’t forget about Kempsey’s Greg Inglis who led the Maroons out and went head-to-head with Cordner in the captaincy stakes.

It seems remarkable that the Roosters second-rower was originally under pressure to keep his spot in Fittler’s team for the opening game of the series.

As it turned out, there should never have been any doubt.

The fact he delivered two barnstorming performances, one of which included Sunday’s man of the match effort should come as little surprise.

The only travesty about the whole scenario was that Cordner wasn’t out there when the siren sounded to fully soak up the euphoria of a series win.

He will, barring injury of course, hold the shield aloft at Suncorp Stadium on July 11.

Former Blues Origin coach Laurie Daley was one of few who went in to bat for Cordner before the New South Wales team was announced for game one.

While some argued new coach Brad Fittler’s “clean-slate policy” was the way to go, Daley believed Cordner’s experience over the years would help the Blues cause.

“Boyd is another of those experienced guys that you just need to have in the team,” Daley said at the time.

“Boyd is a player that is passionate about playing for his state.

“He’s an aggressive player, he’s a born leader and I’m sure he’ll be there and captain again and he’ll inspire his team.”

Not only did the Rooster captain his state again, he inspired them as well.

Only incredible performances from fullback James Tedesco in Origin one prevented Cordner from being in the running for man of the match honours in Melbourne too.