Nate Myles believes Queensland's loss in the third State of Origin match should serve as a wake-up call for the Maroons that nothing is ever guaranteed in the Origin arena.
The Maroons outworked NSW in the first match of the series for a come-from-behind win and then obliterated them in the second, but fluffed their lines in Wednesday night's series finale at Accor Stadium.
Queensland could not contain the Blues on the edges as they did in the first two matches and rarely looked likely to score once in good field position.
The Maroons have now won back-to-back Origin series and once again, there could be little doubt they were the more polished and harder-working side en masse in 2023.
With the likes of Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh only just beginning their Origin careers, a new dynasty is there for the taking for the back-to-back Origin champions.
But 32-time Maroons forward and current assistant coach Myles stressed Queensland could not expect things to come easily.
"Age is definitely on a lot of these boys' side," he told AAP.
"What they have to focus on is that they're not just going to get given it."
"Like tonight, you don't just get gifted footy games in rugby league."
"If they don't re-earn the ability to play good football and re-earn the ability to win the game, they won't win.
"You've got to work hard. I think they know how to do that."
Myles lauded the contributions of Reuben Cotter to the Maroons' 2023 triumph after the North Queensland middle forward received the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series.
Myles, who clinched the medal in 2012, has worked closely with Cotter since his Origin debut last series.
"He's just a young dude who's had to try hard for everything he's ever received," Myles said.
"His work ethic is second to none. I just like watching him play, he's incredible to work with."
"Every day he's always just looking to do more and more and keep pushing himself to the next level."
"He just has the trust of people around him. That's a very hard thing to get in rugby league."