July 9, 2026 — 3:30pmNSW back-rowers Liam Martin and Hudson Young spoke to each other before Wednesday night about doing something the Blues had failed to do in the opening two games of the State of Origin series.“It was our role to go out and put pressure on Queensland,” Martin said.“We felt like the first couple of games they had so much time and space, and with us being the back-rowers, we needed to pressure on them.“We both fed off each other’s energy. I love playing with him. He’s an absolute competitor who doesn’t stop showing up.”Young added: “Me and ‘Marto’ spoke before the game about how important it was that we led the way. He’s a player I’ve looked up to for a while, and to see him coming out of the line makes me want to do it.”For all the deserved plaudits for Wally Lewis Medal winner Nathan Cleary as the player of the series, and coach Laurie Daley, the sight of Martin and Young smashing Queensland on the edges was a key factor in the Blues 30-12 win at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.Young, who will make a serious case to topple Cleary for the Brad Fittler Medal – the gong given to the Blues’ best player of the series – tipped Queensland winger Jojo Fifita on his head early. He then whacked fullback Kalyn Ponga high charging through on a Mitchell Moses bomb and was penalised. Each moment was a clear sign of his intentions for the night. Young also shook off a decent hit to the ribs from behind by hooker Harry Grant.Martin, who missed the opening two games of the series with a knee injury, was just as intimidating in defence, including racing out of the line to iron out Robert Toia just before half-time, and smashing Sam Walker after he had kicked the ball in the opening minutes.The Panthers back-rower even found an excuse to get under the skin of long-time Queensland nemesis Cameron Munster by giving him a facial after a tackle early in the second half.“I shouldn’t have given away the penalty, I was pretty tame tonight, but I had to try and get one in there with him,” Martin said about Munster.Maroons players were constantly keeping an eye out for the second-rowers who thrive on the physicality and constant confrontation of the Origin arena.“I play the game on the edge,” said Young, while Martin added: “This is the toughest game in the world, and I love it.”Blues assistant coach Boyd Cordner was one of the best back rowers in the modern era. He said the double threat of Martin and Young went a long way to clinching the series on enemy turf. Martin remains one of the most despised NSW players north of the border, and when his face was beamed on the big screen before kick-off, the locals booed the loudest.“To have both of them with that mentality to go after the game, and that brutality they play with, it’s massive for us,” Cordner said.“That was one of the best games I’ve seen Hudson play. It was the complete performance.“And for ‘Marto’ to come back in, it goes to show how much experience matters in this arena.From our partners