Zero from seven: The ugly Mitchell Pearce hoodoo to doom NSW

Mitchell Pearce is expected to get a State of Origin SOS that could become his best chance to end a horror record in a NSW jumper.

The Blues are sweating on the fitness of halfback Nathan Cleary ahead of their series-deciding clash with Queensland on July 10.

Cleary suffered a suspected syndesmosis ankle injury in Sunday's 38-6 thumping of the Maroons in Perth on Sunday.

The result levelled the series at 1-1, and handed NSW all the momentum heading into the decider in Sydney.

But Cleary's injury put a dampener on NSW's win.

Cleary played under duress for the final 10 minutes of the first half after an awkward tackle, and failed to take the field in the second half.

The 21-year-old was in a moon boot after the match, with scans to determine the extent of the damage.

With just 16 days until game three, Cleary faces a monumental task to prove his fitness.

His possible absence for game three would almost certainly bring former Blues No.7 Pearce back into contention.

Pearce ruled himself out of Sunday's game because of a thigh injury, but will have the chance to become an Origin hero if Cleary doesn't come up for the decider.

But NSW must overcome Pearce’s shocking record to win the series.

The 30-year-old has played at least one game in seven different years but he has never won a game three let alone a series.

He was vaulted into the No.7 jumper for the final game in 2008 only for the Blues to cough up a two-point half-time lead and lose by six points.

Pearce returned for the final two games in 2010, and the Blues lost both times in a series whitewash.

He was given full series from 2011-13, 2015 and 2017 for wins in two game ones and three game twos.

The impact of Cleary’s absence for the second half on Sunday night was lessened by Pearce’s former running mate James Maloney, while bench forward Wade Graham also moved into a playmaking role.

Maloney, who shifted to halfback once his young Panthers teammate went down, set up two tries and kicked five goals in the win.

Blues centre Tom Trbojevic, a fullback by trade, also scored three tries after spending more time running through the middle.

"Tommy was great. He's just a superstar," NSW coach Brad Fittler said.

"And James got us the win. He just steered us around.

"I didn't have to talk at half time because he was talking. He's just a winner. He just finds a way to win."

with AAP