The Mole player ratings: 'Major disappointment' for Blues as bench fails to fire against Maroons

NSW have regained the women's State of Origin shield, but they missed a golden opportunity to create history with a 3-0 whitewash on Thursday night.

In rainy conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium, the hosts were gunned down late by a gallant Maroons outfit, who were simply playing for pride.

A costly first-half error from the Blues skipper ended up being the difference, while some of the Queensland forwards stepped up after poor showings early in the series.

READ MORE: Gus fumes as 'pedantic' Bunker call denies Blues superstar

READ MORE: 'Reverse cycle' as two-time Olympian secures NRL debut

READ MORE: All Blacks star issues plea for fans to avoid viral craze

The Mole rates every player's performance from game three below.

NSW BLUES

1. Abbi Church

Came up with a wonderful try-saving tackle over the line but did little apart from that. Rating: 6

2. Jaime Chapman

Had few opportunities in her quietest game of the series. Ten runs for just 85 metres and narrowly missed a try early on. Rating: 5

3. Jessica Sergis

One of the few Blues to worry the Maroons defence, scoring a determined try out wide with a fine burst of speed. Rating: 7

4. Isabelle Kelly

Led the Blues in yardage but made the cardinal sin of not grounding the ball with no one near her over the tryline. Ultimately, that cost the Blues the game. Rating: 6

5. Jayme Fressard

Had one chance and nailed it, swooping on a long pass from Southwell to score, but had little involvement otherwise. Rating: 5

6. Tiana Penitani-Gray

Tried to get the mistake-riddled Blues backline going and came up with a try assist and line break assist. Rating: 6

7. Jesse Southwell

Led the Blues attack with a hand in just about everything they did in attack - a youngster with a huge future. Rating: 6.5

8. Simaima Taufa

After dominating the Maroons in the first two games, a major disappointment with just four runs for 37 metres. Rating: 4

9. Keeley Davis

Gave the Blues very little out of dummy-half and made just two runs with the football. Rating: 4

10. Ellie Johnston

The Maroons did a much better job on the Blues' giant up front, preventing her from bending back the line for the first time in the series. Rating: 5

11. Kezie Apps

Ran strongly out wide but just couldn't link up with her outside team-mates the way she did in games one and two. Rating: 6

12. Yasmin Clydsdale

Missed three tackles, threw a pass to the touch judge - didn't seem to have her game head on. Rating: 4.5

13. Olivia Kernick

The Blues' most effective player of the series was a dynamo in defence with 40 tackles but that seemed to sap her energy and she was rarely sighted in attack. Rating: 6.5

14. Jocelyn Kelleher

Couldn't lift the Blues out of their lethargy - only two runs in half a game of football, but did score a try in the second half. Rating: 3

15. Kennedy Cherrington

Not up to the pace when she got her chance coming off the bench and then didn't return for the second half due to injury. Rating: 4

16. Sarah Togatuki

Got only 14 minutes before suffering a bad head knock and leaving the field in a dazed state. Rating: 2

17. Emma Verran

Worked hard in defence when she got her chance off the bench, but didn't make any impact whatsoever with the football. Rating: 3.5

QUEENSLAND MAROONS

1. Hayley Maddick

Filled the big boots of Tamika Upton well, safe at the back without doing anything with the ball. Rating: 6

2. Julia Robinson

Won a fiery battle with Chapman and saved a try early in the game to set the tone for the night. Rating: 7

3. Shenae Ciesiolka

Injured her sternum early in the action and had little game time as a result. Rating: 3

19. Emily Bass

A late inclusion in the starting side, performing well defensively against the dangerous Blues backs. Rating: 6

5. Jasmine Peters

Listed on the wing but played most of the game in the centres and seemed to enjoy being closer to the action. Rating: 6.5

6. Tarryn Aiken

This rising star had her best game of the series, laying on a crucial try with a grubber and worrying the Blues with her running game. Rating: 8

7. Lauren Brown

Quiet with the ball but her three conversions from as many attempts - including a couple of real pressure kicks - proved decisive. Rating: 7

8. Makenzie Weale

Dominated the Blues with a try, 140 run metres and two line breaks. Rating: 8.5

9. Destiny Brill

Looked dangerous out of dummyhalf before a rib injury brought an early end to her night. Rating: 5

10. Jessika Elliston

A deserved winner of player of the match, owning the NSW pack with her power running up the middle. Rating: 8.5

11. Sienna Lofipo

Her best work was in defence against the classy Blues edge players. Rating: 5.5

12. Romy Teitzel

Dangerous from start to finish and was rewarded with a vital try when she latched onto an Aiken grubber. Rating: 7.5

16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Elevated to the starting side and played the game of her life, shocking the Blues in her first stint and scoring the match-winning try in her second. Rating: 8.5

13. Ali Brigginshaw

Easily her best game of the series off the bench, coming up with big effort plays and grabbing an intercept in the dying stages as the Blues tried to snatch victory. Rating: 7

14. Georgia Hannaway

One run for two metres - may as well not have been there! Rating: 2

15. Sophie Holyman

Brought enthusiasm from the bench to keep the Maroons on the front foot. Rating: 5.5

17. Tavarna Papalii

Strong in defence but barely sighted with the ball when she came into it. Rating: 5