How the Bunker used unseen footage to clear Bradman Best’s controversial try

Wally Lewis knew everything at Lang Park but even the King would have struggled to apply the in-depth forensic scrutiny that aided Bradman Best’s second-half try to seal the match.

In the midst of the Maroons’ mini-fight, fueled by Reece Walsh’s excitement machine injection, the Maroons were pressing the NSW line and looking for a third try.

Walsh, who came on due to Sam Walker suffering an HIA, played a cross that saw a pack fly into the air and the ball bounce from all his grips.

Bradman Best collected the ball and followed Newcastle teammate Kalyn Ponga upfield.

Best was too fast – or fast enough – and after a desperate dive to bring down his Blues opponent, Ponga missed and Best raced over to score. It was Best at Suncorp Stadium’s second attempt at a major decider after the recalled center did the same in the drought-breaking third match in 2024 when NSW won.

But while the Blues players were celebrating, the Maroons players rushed to referee Ashley Klein and argued that Blues winger Jack Bostock had touched and kicked the ball at the NSW line.

While Nathan Cleary waited for the all-clear to convert the try, replays on the telecast were vague and appeared to offer hope to both sets of fans.

The green light was eventually given, prompting a chorus of boos and a stunned Queensland legend Cameron Smith arguing on Nine broadcast that justice had not been served.

“It… it went too far… we can’t get it that far wrong, I’m sorry… Bostock had a clear touch,” Smith said.

But Blues great and Nine commentator Brad Fittler made a statement moments later. Fittler had asked officials on the sidelines about the decision, and Bunker was quoted as having used unseen footage from the corner post camera to determine that Bostock had not touched him.

Maroons players look upset after conceding a try in the third match of the Men’s State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium.Getty Images

It was a night like that for Queensland too; It was a game in which the fans at Suncorp Stadium were left silent by uncharacteristic mistakes from the Maroons, aggressive Blues dominance and – in the end – a second consecutive defeat on home soil.

The Blues, who had not won the third game in 19 years in the frightening environment of Suncorp Stadium, got the monkey off their back in 2024 and did it again at the first opportunity.

In Melbourne, Queensland produced a sharp, near-perfect second half, while Brisbane’s first half was a disaster zone.

Maroons fans, who had been drinking pre-emptive celebratory beers on Caxton Street before the game, could only sit quietly as the errors piled up in the opening half-hour. Three consecutive errors and a missed tackle earned Nathan Cleary his first try, and then four missed tackles earned the Penrith star his second try.

Shortly afterwards, when Selwyn Cobbo charged out of his own area, an accidental slip led to Hudson Young headbutting the winger with his shin. Cobbo was stunned but, showing ruthless intent, Cleary rose to his feet, stole the ball in a strip from the Queenslander and Cameron Murray charged in for a third straight try.

The Blues took an 18-0 lead and the game was about to end in surprising fashion. Queensland didn’t know what hit them.