It is the image that will give NSW Blues fans some hope of pulling off a State of Origin miracle.

Long after the fans had left and with the majority of the playing group making their way to board the team bus, Laurie Daley pulled together team manager Frank Ponissi, assistant coaches Boyd Cordner, Brett White and Ryan Hinchcliffe, football manager Leigh Richardson and mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka for a snap meeting.

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It was 11.25pm, barely over an hour after the Blues were blown off the park in the second half by a Maroons team that carries all the momentum into the Origin decider.

Queensland very well could have already claimed the series had it not been for the Kalyn Ponga send-off.

But because of that one moment, the Blues still have a chance to salvage the series.

So, on the lower ground of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night, the Blues coaching staff held what has been described by Code Sports as “crisis talks” to work out how they regroup and reclaim the shield.

The meeting showed a more serious side to Daley. Proof that he deeply cares about turning the side’s fortunes around after he was surprisingly upbeat in the post-game press conference.

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While conceding he was “disappointed”, Daley also said he was “excited” about the “wonderful challenge” that awaited his playing group.

“I’m disappointed, but also excited about the fact that everyone loves going to Suncorp,” Daley said.

“Everyone loves going up there to play, so it’s a great opportunity for us to play our best football in the series.”

WHY ORIGIN DECIDER COULD BE SLATER’S SUNCORP SWANSWONG

Billy Slater could be set to finish his Maroons coaching stint on a high at Suncorp in the State of Origin decider.

The Queensland legend will seal his fourth series win if his side get the job done after the Maroons stunned the Blues in a rampant second half to win 44-24 at the MCG in Game 2 and square the series.

With Slater off contract and linked to a potential move to the Melbourne, speculation is mounting that the July 8 clash could be his last in charge.

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Maroons skipper Cameron Munster said Slater will be hot property on the open market.

“Billy’s Billy. At the end of the day, he’ll make his own decision,” he told CODE Sports.

“You can tell him as much as you want about how much you want him, how much Queensland needs him, but Billy beats to his own drum.

“He’s done a lot in the game and done a lot as a coach when you look at the Origin arena.

“He’s won three series out of four. It’s a pretty special resume so far and he’s got a chance to win another one.

“He’ll be in high demand and rightly so.”