NSW backrower Trent Waterhouse became the first Blue ever to be sent off in a night of spite as Queensland's State of Origin whitewash dreams were dashed 28-16 at Suncorp Stadium.

Several fiery incidents meant Queensland's failed bid to become arguably the greatest Maroons side in Origin history took a back seat in the series finale on Wednesday night.

Having already secured a record fourth straight series win with victory in the opening two games, Queensland were unable to make good on their 'Maroon-wash'.

But it was the dramatic finish where Waterhouse was given his marching orders for blind-siding Steve Price while the veteran prop was trading punches with NSW's Brett White that had everybody talking.

The match threatened to turn into a farce as the final minute saw several square-ups, Ben Creagh and Sam Thaiday sin-binned moments after Waterhouse's dismissal with the Maroons looking for one final knockout - the finish setting the scene for an epic opening game to next year's series.

"Up and under for an all in, it was good old fashioned, but that's footy," said Blues forward Anthony Watmough, who was named man of the match following an outstanding game.

"Things get heated, that's Origin, that's what people come to see and we put on a good show for the crowd.

"It was toe-to-toe, that's all there is to it.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg for us I think."

Maroons coach Mal Meninga appeared upset that the final minutes had taken away from Queensland's stunning four-peat.

"Have we got some other questions?" a fed up Meninga asked in the press conference.

"We did win the series 2-1 didn't we? I'm pretty sure we did. I'm pretty proud of the players who played in the whole series."

In the end Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer - just as he did in 2007 - was forced to lead the lap of honour on the back of a loss.

Oh how Blues coach Craig Bellamy would have been left lamenting the two fade-outs which cruelled his side in the opening two matches, with NSW finally showing some much needed resolve.

Bellamy refused to confirm whether he would return for a third crack at beating the Maroons, while Lockyer also left his Origin future up in the air.

If it was his last, it will be one he will remember for some time with the match punctuated with enough drama to fill two series, like just before halftime when NSW winger David Williams made amends for yet another Origin shocker to score an eight-point try for a 14-6 halftime lead.

Having coughed up the ball to gift Dallas Johnson the game's opening try, Williams benefited from the poor hands of Maroons No.1 Billy Slater who fumbled a ball straight into the arms of the grateful Blues winger.

Williams also copping a kick in the head from Johnathan Thurston as he touched down for which the Maroons halfback was put on report and Kurt Gidley given two kicks at goal.

The Blues skipper converted both meaning NSW, on the back of Ben Creagh's 18th minute try, held the advantage at halftime for the first time this series.

Having been denied what would have been one of the most spectacular Origin tries of all time when he just failed to ground the ball following an acrobatic flip in the first half, Justin Hodges finally got his try three minutes after the restart.

The Blues answered straight back with Trent Barrett setting up Josh Morris for his first Origin try.

Queensland again reduced the gap when Billy Slater scored, but when Creagh crashed over for his second 14 minutes from time the result was as good as done.

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