The old adage is that things are darkest just before the dawn.

Now the darkness of last year’s crushing series defeat has been illuminated by the brilliant dawn of a new Queensland era, with Billy Slater’s heroic Maroons delivering a breathtaking 16-10 win over NSW in the State of Origin series opener in Sydney.

After so many years as the on-field spark for the Maroons at fullback, FOG No.142 Slater has proven he has the magic touch off the field as well, winning his first game as coach of Queensland and masterminding an unforgettable Origin win for the ages.

The Maroons were terrific, there is no other way to describe it.

With a new-look squad rebuilt after last year’s dark days and featuring four players on debut, the Maroons were brilliant and balanced in equal measure, working hard to get their foot on the throat of the Blues and then never releasing the pressure.

The rookies were sensational, repaying the faith placed in them by Slater and the Queensland selectors to prove they were not only worthy of Origin, but fit for long careers in Maroon.

Their enthusiasm and energy was matched by some of Queensland’s old-stagers, with game-winning hands from veterans Daly Cherry-Evans, Valentine Holmes, Kalyn Ponga, Harry Grant and man of the match Cameron Munster.

Fittingly, with the rookies and veterans shining in a game for the ages, this was an “old-school” victory in a brand-new era.

The Maroons were under siege before the game, with much being made of NSW’s tried and true combinations and imposing record at Accor Stadium.

On the field, the struggles continued in the early stages for Queensland, with the Blues jumping out to a 4-0 lead, and the Maroons then losing winger Xavier Coates to an ankle injury that saw the Storm star leave the field to trade his footy boots for a moon boot.

The winger’s departure meant the Maroons would have to win away from home as rank underdogs with only 16 fit men.

But after weathering the early turbulence, Queensland found another gear with the injection of debutant Pat Carrigan, who changed the game in a remarkable first game for Queensland.

Replacing workhorse Josh Papalii in the 15^th minute, Carrigan earned his oranges at halftime with 109m and two tackle breaks from 10 runs in an incredible 25-minute stint.

Carrigan set the standards for the Maroons to follow.

His fellow bench players were all massive, with Grant and Lindsay Collins particularly effective operating in the teeth of the Blues’ pack.

And the rookies also rose to make names for themselves.

Reuben Cotter delivered everything that Queenslanders had hoped to see at Origin level from the Cowboys tearaway.

Winger Selwyn Cobbo was well spotted by the wary Blues defenders, but still laid on a crucial try for Dane Gagai with a superb grubber kick at speed in the 35^th minute to give Queensland the lead at the break.

And even Jermemiah Nanai produced his own miracle, somehow recovering from what looked like a carbon copy of Coates’ ankle injury to not only return in the 60^th minute, but contribute solidly to the cause.

The impact from the Queensland bench was nothing short of brilliant, and changed the momentum of the game.

In turn, Cherry-Evans, Munster and Ponga were given just enough room to do what they do best.

In the 48^th minute, some magic from Munster had the Maroons on the attack, but the passage broke down with NSW knocking the ball down.

From the resulting scrum though, Cherry-Evans caught the Blues napping and sailed under the posts untouched to extend Queensland’s lead.

Five minutes later, Ponga delivered the coup de grace with a sweet cut-out ball down the left edge to put Holmes over in the corner.

The Blues predictably surged again late in the game, threatening to take the win.

But the Maroons’ defence, so good all night, held firm to keep the Blues at bay and the result in their pocket.

With Game 2 in Perth and Game 3 at home in Brisbane, the Maroons are now in the box seat to bring the shield home.

With confidence high and belief rising, Queensland are on track for another year in the sun.

QLD 16 (D Gagai, D Cherry-Evans, Valentine Homes tries; Holmes 2 goals) d NSW 10 (J Wighton, C Murray tries; N Cleary goal) at Accor Stadium, Sydney. Halftime: Qld 6-4. Crowd: 80,512