'Very promising': Phil Gould heaps praise on young gun Mitch Woods after 'unreal' Blues performance

Phil Gould has got himself a keeper in the form of Mitchell Woods.

The teenage halfback showed his class on numerous occasions for NSW on Thursday night, steering the side around the park in a narrow 14-10 win over Queensland in a dramatic and spirited U19s State of Origin clash.

Woods laid on a try assist for Chevy Stewart in the first half, before producing some elite kicks in the second half as the Blues held on at Leichhardt Oval.

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Speaking to Nine post-game, the recently crowned SG Ball Player of the Year couldn't hide his emotion.

"It was unreal," Woods told NSW legend Brad Fittler.

"You spend a week in camp with these boys and you build a bond that will last forever. Getting over the line in a game like this, it's mad. 

"With boys coming from different clubs and the main focus was on connecting. From day one, the boys connected and it was mad ... it was an unreal week."

Woods also showed off his bravery on numerous occasions, taking the line on against a massive Queensland forward pack and finishing with more than 100 run metres.

Watch the 2024 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The playmaker recently signed a long-term deal to stay in the NRL with the Bulldogs, despite having offers from both AFL and rugby union after a stellar junior career.

Speaking on the post-game panel, Bulldogs football boss Gould admitted there was plenty to be excited about at Belmore, but tempered expectations about a first grade debut any time soon.

"He's very promising and he's a great kid, that's the most important thing," Gould said.

"He is still at school, he's a great learner, he is a really polite and humble kid. He was in the Swans AFL academy, he's in representative academies for rugby - he is still playing rugby at his school, we are allowing him to.

"He had to make a decision at the end of last year, we sat with the Swans and rugby and said we would all love to have him - but we agreed he needs to play one if he's gonna be really good at it. He chose rugby league, that was his decision.

"He played in our Harold Matts winning premiership side last year. We've got him contracted for four years and we'll give him plenty of time to develop and mature.

"You wouldn't meet a nicer kid."

Woods was one of many standouts in the under-age Origin clash, with fellow Blues whiz kid Stewart earning Man of the Match honours for his efforts at the back, while big boppers Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga and Noah Martin laid a strong foundation.

Panthers young gun Jesse McLean was knocked out in the opening stages, capping off a rollercoaster week that included a long-term extension with his club.