Paul Gallen, in his last State of Origin game at Suncorp, was speared into the turf. Head first.

Gallen battled the Maroons, the crowd and the referees, but ultimately it was all in vain in a record-equalling 15th appearance as Blues captain. The Sharks veteran always has a target on his head north of the border and was lucky to leave with it intact after an ugly lifting tackle.

Gallen was taking one of his customary hit-ups in the 13th minute when things went awry. His old sparring partner, Sam Thaiday was pinged for his role in a clumsy tackle with Corey Parker in which the veteran Blue was tipped past the horizontal. The crowd roared, players ran in from everywhere and the game was stopped as the whistleblowers attempted to bring sanity to proceedings.

Match officials conferred and not even smooth-talking opposing captain Cameron Smith was able to prevent the incident from being placed on report. Had it happened at Homebush Bay, the crowd would have been screaming for a send off. In these parts, he was greeted with "Gallen's a wanker".

Last month, Gallen escaped suspension for coming over the top of Josh McGuire with a forearm in a club game. He didn't escape censure altogether. The pair provided the most colourful build up of the campaign when they vowed to settle their differences in the boxing ring. And while he again ploughed through a mountain of work the most telling scoring blows were landed by the hosts.

The normally mild-mannered Laurie Daley put the heat on Gerard Sutton and Ben Cummins after their performance in the opening encounter, but it's Gallen who's more accustomed to antagonising the referees. When a string of penalties went Queensland's way - all seemingly justified - Gallen remonstrated "That's four consecutive [against]", before lamenting they again weren't getting the "50-50" calls.

Danny Buderus has also captained the Blues on 15 occasions, some of them during the state's darkest period. Gallen, however, will not be able to emulate his two series wins.

It appeared the result was settled well before time, with Queensland enjoying leads as big as 12 points. A decision not to take a penalty goal that would have put them more than two converted tries in front appeared costly as NSW threatened to haul them back. It mattered not.

Gallen has been cast as the villain in Queensland throughout his Origin career, a role he not only relished but played with aplomb. The Cane Toads will now need to find someone else to hate. Queensland fans prepared to travel will have one more chance to boo him, but will need to travel to the Harbour City for the dead rubber to do so.

With interest likely to wane after taking out 10 of the past 11 series, they shouldn't have too much trouble securing a seat

.