Origin result won't sway Slater and Cronk

The State of Origin series result will have no bearing on whether veterans Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk will prolong their careers.

Billy Slater

Billy Slater has won seven State of Origin series since his Maroons debut in 2004. (AAP)

One way or another, next week's State of Origin series decider will mark the end of an era for Queensland.

But Maroons veterans Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater say the result won't influence them when they weigh up their future this year.

Queensland's dynasty will fall if NSW seal just their second Origin series win since 2005 on July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.

And if the Maroons claim an 11th series triumph in 12 years they will farewell at least one Queensland great.

Veteran five-eighth Johnathan Thurston will receive a pre-match tribute at Origin III after his stellar 37-game Queensland campaign was cut short by a season-ending shoulder injury in game two.

He still kicked the match winning sideline conversion to seal the Maroons' 18-16 Origin II victory.

Halfback Cronk and No.1 Slater admit this may also be their final Origin but won't be relying on the result to determine whether they play on in 2018.

Cronk, 33, is yet to decide his future after announcing he will leave NRL club Melbourne at year's end and move to Sydney to be with his fiancee.

"No matter the result on Wednesday night it won't have a bearing on my decision," Cronk, the veteran of 21 Origins, said.

"I actually don't know.

"There are some moments when you are going down to the training track and think 'this could be it'.

"But that's external thinking. To be successful you have to be internal and focus to get the result on Wednesday night."

Off contract Slater, 34, has recaptured career-best form after returning from two shoulder reconstructions that left his career in limbo for two years.

Slater, who reclaimed his Queensland No.1 jersey in game two, said he would not make a decision on his future for months.

But he added: "The (game three) result won't be factor.

"I don't know if I am playing next year.

"My decision is solely around whether I can put 100 per cent of myself into next year.

"If I feel I can do that I will play again for another year. If I don't, then I will retire."

Slater has played 28 games for Queensland and he doesn't expect potential swansongs to distract the Maroons when their legacy goes on the line in Origin III.

"This team has never been about individuals," he said.

Queensland settled into their Gold Coast camp on Wednesday.


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Source: AAP



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