The dizzying highs enjoyed by Kevin Walters are his QLD team after Origin One are now but a distant memory.
The Maroons were embarrassed on Sunday night in Perth by a Blues side who were better in every single aspect of their performance.
Queensland superstars Kalyn Ponga and DCE were reduced to spectators while the games best five-eighth Cameron Munster's highlights were getting pantsed and swearing on TV.
The 38-6 thrashing was every bit as bad as it stands and Queensland should be as good as shot in this series.
Except as a NSW fan in my early thirties, I know much MUCH better than to expect anything other than a Maroon ambush come game three.
That's not to say that Queensland doesn't have some major issues heading into the decider.
Right now, if QLD play that same side and effort in Sydney in two and a bit weeks time, they're zero chance of wrestling the Shield away from Fittler's men.
Last week I said Jarrod Wallace would effectively be a straight swap for Jai Arrow.
I was wrong.
The Maroons missed Arrow in the biggest way.
Dylan Napa, albeit playing hurt, was almost non-existent on Sunday night. 27 run metres off four hit ups is under six stats, not starting Origin prop material.
Wallace managed 54 metres from his eight runs off the bench.
Despite double the output of the man he replaced, it was still abysmal.
The only act of any consequence by Wallace was a ridiculous and dangerous tackle on James Maloney in mid-air.
I'd be very surprised if either are there for Origin three let alone both.
Wallace will be racing the clock to line up for game three but if he's able, he's being picked without a doubt.
Moses Mbye, despite a superhuman effort to play after literally cheating death, is at long odds to be there for the series decider.
He has barely played 20 minutes in the series and has offered very little.
I'm still not sure of his exact role. I think Kevin Walters may be in the same situation.
Ben Hunt has been Queensland's best player across 160 minutes and cannot be substituted for a fullback at number nine.
Mbye hasn't been given any chance to show why he was picked. Perhaps this is a case of just picking a player who can fill in across the back seven if anyone is injured.
I'm not sure that's how you win a series.
Michael Morgan had a rough night at centre. I'd be willing to wager he will be moved to the bench to fulfil a utility role that makes him extremely dangerous.
Kyle Feldt shapes as a real option on the wing, pushing Dane Gagai into the centres.
I'd be looking to move Morgan away from the centres.
As a Blues fan, I hope they resist moving Morgan back to the bench. He's the best utility in the game and has blitzed the Blues up the middle for years in that role.
I know Morgan topped the QLD running metres with 118 but that stat means nothing when you're being beaten by 32 points.
Morgan made the majority of his 13 runs coming out of trouble. Brave and tough but hardly where you want Michael Morgan touching the ball.
I'm not blaming Morgan in any way. He put his hand up and as mentioned topped the metres.
The real issues come in the middle.
Queensland's best forward metre gain was 93 by Josh McGuire.
NSW had four forwards make over 100 metres with a fifth making 99.
That's despite the fact that the Blues' forwards had it relatively easy given every member of the Blues back five ran for at least 118 metres.
If Queensland's forwards don't turn up for game three, it's certainly.
That said, you better believe they absolutely will.
Josh Papalii won't play that badly again.
Gillett will be chomping at the bit to rip in for game three.
I've literally never seen Felise Kaufusi relegated to a spectator.
McGuire has a few weeks to stew on the fact he made almost no impact outside of a cheap shot in the final play of the game.
Kevin Walters will have QLD ready.
As soon as that Maroon fabric hits their skin they become different players.
They'll have to get their middle right but opinion pieces writing QLD off are premature and quite frankly dangerous.
Red flag ... Bull ... Etc.
Expect a few changes but expect the Maroons to come out firing in Sydney in a few weeks time.
The major issue is front row
Napa is not a good forward, when it comes to making territory. Papali is slightly better, but suffers the same problem that Napa has – which is that they are both poor forwards from a lot of standing starts – which was a constant element in that second game.
I’d have taken Christian Welch and I have no idea why Matt Scott has been overlooked (has he retired from rep?).
The third game will be completely different – I’m not saying who will win but NSW cashed in a card to take game 2 – they now play a team who will be utterly embarrassed by what they did in game 2.
Are you mad? Look at how the cowboys have been going and you want to pick Matt Scott? This isn’t 2010 Matt scott has been horrible when he played this season. Welch is just an alright player getting carried by a superstar team, he is just as likely to flop as he is to be a alright bench forward.
Yes the problem is our forward pack the problem is there is no one of note to replace them that are ready for origin. Welch would most likely bring nothing and Scott would get embarrassed by Damien cook every quick play the ball. It’s bad to say but with Arrow and Ofahengaue out Napa and Wallace are the best options we got(not saying there good options).
Yes qld will come out guns blazing or at least you would hope so but with no depth to replace poor performers there is nothing we can do. Yes after game 1 I kind of went on a high and let my emotions get the better of my judgment but game 2 was a reality check to where the maroons really are and now the poor nrl form has gone to there origin form. I will be shocked if qld even get a sniff of winning this series but I hope Feldt gets picked and has a good game
QLD are never embarrassed twice in a row. They’ll somehow find that fighting spirit (bundy i believe its called), and somehow find a way to make a comeback in the last few minutes. They definatley wont be as bad as last game.