Inside the Origin after-party: Badly hungover star opens up about Queensland's wild celebrations - and reveals who the ringleader was: 'It was scary'
It was a heroic, underdog victory by the Maroons, who came back after losing the first match in the series to seal a 24-12 victory at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Emotional scenes unfolded at fulltime after Tom Dearden had starred alongside Queensland skipper Cameron Munster, who courageously led his side out following the sudden passing of his father, Steven, over the weekend.
After celebrations on the pitch, players moved to the sheds to continue the party and sing their hearts out.
Queensland prop Pat Carrigan was asked by reporters what the beer quota would be for the afterparty.
'Not enough cartons,' he laughed.
'I'll say that much.'
Queensland legend Alfie Langer, who was a trainer for the Maroons throughout the series, was showered with beer as he led the celebrations.
'I definitely didn't get 8 hours of sleep last night,' Josh Kerr told the Today show on Thursday morning.
'It was good, we were up all night, a few birthdays apparently with Alfie. We had a few boys spewing up. I'm not going to say who - but they are probably one of the best-looking blokes I've ever seen in my life.'
Langer is known as an enthusiastic leader of the beery parties after games, and this one left a mark on Kerr.
'It's one of the scariest things I've seen,' he said.
'He [Langer] is walking around with a tray of Sambuca, there's bloody vodka Red Bulls... Alfie's drunk, saying, "I heard it's your birthday"... it was a cool experience.'
A bleary-eyed Reuben Cotter told reporters that celebrations went into the 'early hours of the morning' when he fronted up to leave the team hotel on Thursday.
When asked about what time he got back to his hotel room, Cotter replied, 'Just then.'
Queensland were written off before the Origin decider, but once again have found a way to defy the odds.
'I just have so much love for this team and our state, and I'm sure the other team do as well, but it's hard to put into words,' Munster said after the match.
'I'll go back to the Storm, and no disrespect to the Storm, but it's a different feeling when you come into Origin.
'Bill [Billy Slater] and obviously the coaching staff just have that belief and instill that history in us.'
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