Win or lose, the State of Origin series decider is set to end in tears for Queensland.
An end to the mighty Maroons' era of dominance can finally be called if NSW make amends for letting game two slip in Sydney and claim a second series win in three years.
Even if Queensland pull off yet another comeback and claim their 11th title in 12 years, skipper Cameron Smith admits tears may be shed because of farewells that follow.
The familiar figure of Johnathan Thurston looms large over the July 12 clash at Suncorp Stadium even though the champion five-eighth won't be playing for only the second time in 39 Origin games since his debut.
Forced out of an Origin farewell match after bravely clinching the 18-16 triumph in game two despite a season-ending shoulder injury, Thurston's plight provides enormous emotional motivation for the Maroons.
And it's not just him.
Game three may also draw the curtain on the glittering Origin careers of halfback Cooper Cronk, 33, and fullback Billy Slater, 34.
Smith has urged the Maroons to keep their emotions in check until fulltime in what he bills as one of the biggest games in his record 41-game Origin career.
"There's always an aspect of emotion involved in these games for sure," he said.
"There's JT's injury and this may be Cooper's last game, that's certainly a factor.
"It's a massive game, it's probably one of the biggest we have been involved in.
"But I will try and take that away and say we have to get a job done, and if we get it done then a few tears might come out - maybe."
Cronk - a veteran of 21 Origins - is yet to decide if he will play on after announcing he will leave NRL club Melbourne and join his fiancee in Sydney in 2018.
Slater still has not determined whether to play a 16th NRL season next year.
"The series result won't be a factor. My decision is solely around whether I can put 100 per cent of myself into next year. If I can't then I will retire," said 28-Origin veteran Slater.
While they will have an emotional home crowd baying them on, Queensland face a big test as they attempt to become the first team since NSW in 1990 to win a series having used three different five-eighths.
After Anthony Milford stepped in during the record 28-4 game-one loss, debutant Cameron Munster now attempts to fill Thurston's boots in game three.
It's a daunting task but he has the major advantage of being surrounded by Melbourne teammates as the Storm quartet of Slater, Cronk, hooker Smith and Munster now comprise the entire Maroons spine.
Of course, the Blues have their own scores to settle.
NSW are desperate to claim their first success in a series decider at Suncorp Stadium since 2005.
They have named their first unchanged 17 for an entire series since they whitewashed Queensland in 1996.
However they have injury clouds hanging over captain Boyd Cordner (calf), Tyson Frizell (back), James Tedesco (ankle), Josh Dugan (knee) and even 18th man Jack de Belin (knee).
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