NSW attempts to embrace the Queensland hostilities have been stifled again, this time by the uncharacteristic silence of Maroons fans.
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Keen to cop the hate and ready themselves for Wednesday's State of Origin, Blues players ventured to the infamous Caxton Street on Monday night.
Usually so raving mad on match day that Queensland Police won't let coach Michael Maguire take the Blues bus down it before kick-off, Milton was a ghost town on Monday night.
"It was dead," Maguire said.
"We saw a gentleman and his two kids in NSW jerseys walking down the street. They were the only two people we saw there."
Maguire's team dinner, also attended by Greg Bird, Des Hasler and Chris Johns, is another sign that he wants his players to revel in the hate come Wednesday night.
It's an approach approved by former winners of deciders in Queensland in 1994 and 2005, and one expected to suit several of the Blues.
Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Mitch Barnett and Spencer Leniu are all players who thrive on hostilities, while Stephen Crichton has also had success at Suncorp.
NSW also anticipate it is not just the crowd that will be against them on Wednesday night.
Of 60 Origin matches played in Brisbane, NSW have won the penalty count just nine times.
And they expect to be on the wrong side of it again in the decider.
"History suggests yes, we will lose the penalty count," captain Jake Trbojevic said.
"It's a game of rugby league, penalties are going to be blown. You'll be under pressure. You have to work really hard.
"You may as well take it front-on - just walk at the fight. You just have to find a way to do it. "
Trbojevic also has a chance to join NSW's most elite group on Wednesday night, as only the third captain to lift the shield after a decider in Brisbane.
Laurie Daley did so in 1994 and Danny Buderus in 2005, but NSW have lost all 11 other deciders played in Queensland.
Trbojevic himself has played in three of those deciders in 2017, 2020 and 2022, having won only one of six Origin matches at the venue.
And he is yet to allow himself to properly dream of lifting the shield on Wednesday night.
"It'd be pretty surreal ... a pinch-yourself (moment)," Trbojevic said.
"Sometimes you do (picture it), but I try not to, to be honest.
"Obviously I don't get too far head of myself because there is a lot of hard work to be done.
"The captaincy thing, I've got better with the roles as it's gone on. At first I was definitely very shocked, but I feel a lot more comfortable in the role (now)."
Australian Associated Press
