State of Origin

The dynasty continues.

He might not have played in last week's second game of the State of Origin series but Jacob Lillyman has a bit more grunt behind his runs knowing he's close to playing in this month's decider in Sydney.

A body blow was delivered to NSW's hopes of winning their first State of Origin series since 2005, however, it was a second half fight that threatened to take the gloss off Queensland's gutsy 26-6 game two win on Wednesday night.

After being bullied through seven-straight State of Origin series defeats, NSW skipper Paul Gallen felt the time was right to fight back.

Expectant father Johnathan Thurston will slip past one of State of Origin's toughest personal records when he plays his 25th consecutive game for Queensland in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Robbie Farah has won the Brad Fittler Medal for the NSW State of Origin player of the year at a ceremony at Sydney's Daltone House on Wednesday night.

Cooper Cronk's 40m field-goal broke NSW hearts and sealed a 21-20 win for Queensland as the Maroons locked in a seventh successive State of Origin series win in a breathless encounter at Suncorp Stadium last night.

The try that sealed it might have been ridiculous, but so too is Queensland's remarkable ability to claw out a State of Origin win.

A statue of Wally Lewis might stand proudly outside, but Suncorp Stadium belonged to Darren Lockyer on Wednesday night.

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston is free to play in next month's State of Origin decider after being found not guilty of making contact with a referee by the NRL judiciary.