Coach John Strange leads NSW to State of Origin clean sweep with historic win over Queensland

John Strange has led his NSW Blues team to a women's State of Origin clean sweep after defeating a resilient Queensland Maroons outfit 12-4 in the Gold Coast.

It was not the smoothest of victories in the final game of the series for the Blues - who entered the match with a 2-0 advantage over their opponents - with the Maroons making some bone-rattling tackles to stop the visitors in their tracks.

And while Ill-discipline did, at times, cause issues for the Blues, it was the collective effort to get Isabelle Kelly and Jayme Fressard over the tryline that got the job done.

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Not only did the Blues win the State of Origin shield, but they also made history in the women's game as the first team to ever record a clean sweep of the series.

"We had a lot of hard work to do ... but we are making history, so I am so proud of the girls," Fressard told Nine post-match.

Blues captain and player of the match Kelly was full of praise for her coach.

"Strangey, we've absolutely loved having you as head coach. You've created such a safe environment for all of us," she said.

"I know that we all flourish under you and I can't thank you enough."

Jaime Chapman had her eyes set on being the first Blue to strike in the final game of the series, darting towards the line from inside the 10, only to be stopped by Lauren Brown.

"It looked for all the money she'd go over the line," Maroons great Cameron Smith said in commentary on Nine.

Re-watch the 2026 Women's State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Fressard was the next Blues star to attempt getting over the tryline and she looked to have done just that, but a replay of her try-scoring efforts sparked concern.

Smith was quick to spot that Fressard had appeared to bobble the ball when attempting to ground it - and referee Belinda Sharpe had noticed the same concern.

The decision was then put under review by the Bunker, who found Jasmine Peters' hand that was placed under the ball had caused Fressard to lose possession, meaning the try would not stand for the Blues due to a knock-on ruling.

"Well done to Jasmine Peters because they were under a lot of pressure ... a big defensive play, try-saving tackle," Allana Ferguson said.

And while some bone-rattling tackles stopped NSW in their tracks at times, it was the visitors who got themselves on the scoreboard first via skipper Kelly.

But the Maroons hit back just four minutes later, with Peters firing past three NSW defenders to plant the ball down in the corner and level the scores for the Maroons.

Neither state team was able to successfully convert their efforts, leaving the scores at 4-4 at half-time.

The message for the Blues at half-time was clear: "Don't panic".

While that was taken in by all, ill-discipline continued to rattle the Blues' momentum, with two errors and one penalty conceded in the opening five minutes of the second half.

But after a 10-minute rough patch, the Blues were back on track and found an opportunity to send Fressard over, slicing through a gap in Queensland's defence to seal the result.

"That is a crucial four points," Ferguson said.

From there, all the Blues had to do was to defend their line as the clock counted down. While some went down with cramps, the team held on until the final siren sounded.