Wayne Bennett's decision in 2020 to enact generational change in the Queensland side laid the foundation for the success under current coach Billy Slater.
That is the view of Queensland Rugby League (QRL) chairman Bruce Hatcher who told AAP that Slater had continued Bennett's success on the back of promoting youthful players with outstanding habits in their game.
Bennett gave tyros AJ Brimson, Xavier Coates, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins and Moeaki Fotuaika debuts in the 2020 series, won 2-1 by the Maroons.
That 'Super Six' will all play for Queensland in game three of the series in Sydney on July 12 as they target a clean sweep.
Bennett had previously returned to coach the Maroons to a series win in 1998 when NSW had won two series in a row. He returned again in 2001 to mastermind a 2-1 triumph after the Blues had won 3-0 in 2000.
In 2020 Queensland were dubbed the worst Maroons team ever by pundits south of the border. Bennett, answering the QRL's call after 2019 mentor Kevin Walters became Brisbane Broncos coach, moved on from senior players such as Josh McGuire and Moses Mbye and gave youth a crack.
"As soon as you get a couple of losses everyone, including the public, turn on the QRL or the coach and Wayne has answered the call in tough times on a number of occasions," Hatcher told AAP.
"At the end of 2019, NSW had won two series in a row and it looked as though a dynasty was about to start but Wayne picked young guys with potential and off he went.
"We can now see that what Wayne did in 2020 wasn't a one-off experiment. Those players have all gone and experienced great success.
"Billy has now won two series in a row and blooded young players who we know can get a whole lot better."
Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter, Corey Horsburgh and Jeremiah Nanai are players in next Wednesday night's team that Slater has debuted, along with others that are not playing in game three.
Around the new players have been the constant of veterans Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster, Valentine Holmes and Ben Hunt.
"It is not lost on us if you have the right type of older heads in the side that the young guys that get brought in will excel if they are given a go," Hatcher said.
"That has been the hallmark of Wayne and now Billy Slater. Origin finds people out as much as it discovers. Some don't rise to the intensity and yet there are some that are clearly made for that arena.
Hatcher said the QRL would never forget the work of the late Paul Green, who took on a one-year deal in 2021 where injuries and a hot NSW side combined to give the Blues a 2-1 series win.
Green blooded Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Thomas Flegler in game three of that campaign, who have since gone on to play key roles in this year's series win.
"There is no doubt Paul had a long-term view to give players with potential like Hamiso and Tom a go and they have also gone on to bigger and better things," Hatcher added.
