‘Magic’ JAC burns Maroons with ‘Slater-esque’ try

The Blues’ new-look left edge asked the Maroons major questions in the early stages of State of Origin III — and a Josh Addo-Carr try sure to be replayed long into the future was the highlight of the peppering.

Second-rower Liam Martin botched a couple of openings set up by recalled five-eighth Cody Walker, but Addo-Carr capitalised on an opportunity sparked by Walker when he tore down the left wing, chipped, regathered and scored.

Walker skipped onto an Isaah Yeo pass in New South Wales’ half of the field, took a scoot and created an overlap by drawing Daly Cherry-Evans and hitting Bradman Best with a cut-out ball.

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Addo-Carr’s heroics followed — the Bulldogs speedster hurtling into open pastures, chipping over Maroons fullback AJ Brimson, pouncing on the footy and scoring the Blues’ second try of the game.

“It’s one of the great Origin tries!” said Nine caller Mat Thompson.

“Josh Addo-Carr with a piece of magic.

“Dare I say, that is Slater-esque!”

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Former Queensland captain Cameron Smith gave Addo-Carr’s skill a huge rap.

“That was magic! We all know how fast this man is, but the skill that he showed in this little piece of play down the left-hand side…” Smith said.

“They go through the hands. Walker again, just chewing up the Queensland numbers and space.

“(Addo-Carr) looked inside to pass. He was covered. So Josh Addo-Carr said, ‘I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself, Cody.’ Chip and chase. Scores a try.

“What a play by the Blues!”

Thompson’s “Slater-esque” call was a throwback to Billy Slater’s famous try in the 2004 Origin series, when the former superstar fullback swooped on a Darren Lockyer grubber, dashed down the field, chipped over Anthony Minichiello, regathered and scored.

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State of Origin III 2023 in pictures: All the colour of the Blues v Maroons game three