Nathan Cleary's commanding performance in the State of Origin decider has silenced critics who doubted his ability to 'own' the series.Despite facing pre-match skepticism, the NSW Blues halfback orchestrated a dominant 44-24 victory over the Maroons, securing a 1-0 series lead.Cleary's masterclass included a try, five goals, and crucial try assists, while also laying 24 tackles against Queensland's Sam Walker.

His leadership guided the Blues from a 0-20 deficit in the first quarter to a decisive win, with former coach Phil Gould praising his 'paragon of control.

' Cleary's victory earned him man of the match and the Wally Lewis medal, joining rugby legends Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns as four-time recipients.

The win marks a turning point for NSW, who had lost all previous Origin deciders Cleary had played in, proving his status as a true champion in the high-stakes arena of State of Origin.