Queensland State of Origin standout Matt Scott choked back tears as he spoke about former teammate and friend Sam Faust who passed away on Monday.

Scott put aside a poor preparation and niggling injuries to provide the surging run which directly led to Billy Slater's game-breaking try that snatched a late 16-12 win over NSW.

Faust, 26, who played two seasons with the North Queensland Cowboys, lost his battle with cancer leaving behind his wife and three young children.

"It's been an emotional two days," said Scott who was arguably Queensland's best, smashing his way to 155 metres and made 23 tackles.

"We (Sam) had a few good years up there (at North Queensland) and it's just a really, really sad story which has affected a lot of people.

"The whole community has got to get behind Kya (Faust's wife) and the girls and give them support in what must be a real difficult time in their lives."

Scott said it was hard not to think of his former teammate who was in the back of his mind before the game.

"It made me realise how lucky I am now and to be playing footy," he said.

"It's just a shame he can't still be around to enjoy it also."

Scott's effort to burst through the ruck so late in the game with Queensland behind and when he would have been mentally and physically spent, came from deep within.

"I didn't know what was happening," he said.

"We needed something. I would have liked to have got over the line myself, Bill's got enough tries already.

"I just did what I had to do for the team, we needed something special then and Locky and Billy did it for us."

Scott said his Cowboys teammate Willie Tonga had amazed everyone playing on with a bad shoulder injury suffered early in the game.

"He was unreal. Nobody really knew how bad it was and for him to keep playing in an Origin was a really outstanding effort," he said.

Fellow Maroon Ben Hannant, who was damaging off the bench, said Scott's contributionalong with warrior Petero Civoniceva had been the difference.

"Him and Petero, they were unreal, they led the way all night," said Hannant, who came up with 127 metres and 26 tackles in another big hearted effort.

"They were fantastic.

"They dominated the middle of the field and kept coming and kept coming and pushing their noses through the line.

"I love running off the back of them."

Hannant said Scott had honoured Faust's memory with his game.

"What better way to honour Sam's memory than to play the way he did," Hannant said.

"He was carrying a few injuries and he didn't train much all week but he was inspired to play like that."

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