Queensland again conjured up a State Of Origin great escape to eclipse New South Wales and take game one of the series at Suncorp Stadium.
The Maroons trailed 18-6 after 50 minutes before piling on 19 unanswered points against the shellshocked Blues in front of a crowd of 52,498.
Queensland's comeback was aided and abetted by a telling error from rookie NSW winger Jarryd Hayne on the hour with the scores locked at 18-all.
After retrieving a long kick, the NSW rookie inexplicably threw a wild pass to full-back Anthony Minichiello and watched in horror as Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer accepted the gift to stroll over.
NSW never recovered from the blunder.
Queensland took just three minutes to bring the capacity crowd to its feet.
Johnathan Thurston's accurate crossfield kick caught NSW winger Matt King out of position and Greg Inglis soared high to grab the ball and touch down unopposed.
Thurston added the extras from the sideline and the Maroons were in front 6-0.
The Blues hit back seven minutes later, Braith Anasta spearing through a gap and finding Nathan Hindmarsh who powered over from close range.
Jamie Lyon's conversion levelled it at six-all.
NSW hit the front for the first time when Jarrod Mullen and Andrew Ryan combined to send centre Matt Cooper over after 20 minutes.
Lyon piloted the conversion through the posts from wide out and the underdogs enjoyed a 12-6 advantage.
Lyon increased the lead four minutes before the break, landing a penalty goal to make it 14-6 after Thurston was pinged for an obstruction.
Then came a moment of brilliance as the half-time siren sounded.
Maroons winger Brent Tate decided to kick ahead on the halfway line, but only succeeded in finding the feet of his opposite number Hayne.
Hayne picked up the ball, pushed Justin Hodges off and kicked ahead, before re-claiming possession and diving over for one of the great Origin tries.
Lyon missed the conversion but the damage was done at 18-6.
The never-say-die Maroons are always good for a comeback and they began yet another revival in the 50th minute when Greg Inglis sailed over in the corner.
Thurston's trademark boomerang conversion was on target and NSW's lead was reduced by six.
The comeback was in full swing by the time prop Steve Price crashed over for an easy try at the 58-minute mark.
Thurston's conversion levelled it at 18-all and another chapter in Queensland's great escape acts was halfway written.
Incredibly, the Maroons were back in front two minutes later following Hayne's monumental blunder.
The converted try eased Queensland to a 24-18 lead and it was never to be headed.
Thurston gave the hosts a cushion with a 69th-minute field goal.
The series now heads to Sydney for game two on June 13.
