Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans doesn't need a fairytale series victory to retire from State of Origin football. "My career hasn't been fairytales. I don't need to go out a winner," Cherry-Evans told AAP in the wake of the Maroons' 32-6 win in game two which clinched a 2023 Origin series triumph. "I am going to try my best to go out a winner but I am not worried about a fairytale. "If I am the right man for the job and can contribute to this team I want to be a part of it and keep playing." The 34-year-old halfback had a blinder at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night as his Maroons thrashed NSW. His cover tackle on a runaway Stephen Crichton, reminiscent of Scott Sattler's effort in the 2003 NRL grand final, was a crucial play when the Maroons led just 4-nil. He was the conductor of the Maroons orchestra that hit all the right notes. Of the 17 Queensland players who took the field, 11 of them are aged 25 or under. It is an outfit that is only going to get better. "I see so much potential in this footy side," Cherry-Evans said. "As the leader I just hope that I am showing them good habits and am contributing. "Age is just a number so while we have a young side and the future looks bright I just want to continue to be a part of it because I am really enjoying it. "There's a lot that can happen in the next 12 months but if I am playing good enough I want to be back here next year." Cherry-Evans spent three years out of the side but has played his last 15 games consecutively and led the Maroons to three series victories. He was asked if he had a second wind as a result of the youthful exuberance in the team. "Bloody oath I have. They keep me young," he said. "Nothing is promised in this game. I lived that. "I was out of the side and I wanted it so bad to be back here. You only have to look at the three boys (Moeaki Fotuaika, Jeremiah Nanai and Xavier Coates) that got called back up and how much it means to them." Two of the young brigade in the backline have already had standout series with 20-year-old fullback Reece Walsh and 21-year-old centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow both electrifying. "Reece is the fullback for Queensland and that is not an easy job at this level," he said. "For him to be targeted the way he has been in the first two games... he has stood above that. He has played some great footy and answered anyone or anything with his footy. "Hamiso. Wow. What a player. He is one of the best fullbacks in the NRL and has to play left centre for Queensland but geez...he is good at it. "That is the mentality that we've got. You are picked to do a job for Queensland and everyone has embraced it." Australian Associated Press
