Speaking in detail for the first time since going to ground following Queensland’s historic series victory, the Blues coach said his troops were more “scarred” than he thought after allowing the Maroons to claim a last ditch Game II victory after trailing NSW 16-6 with 30 minutes remaining.

The notherners went on to smash the Blues 22-6 in the decider.  

“Looking back now I think we were more scarred than we thought we were. I think in that dressing shed (Game II) it was a worse feeling than after Game III, on reflection,” he said.

“I think in Game I we were really good and Queensland were off. And I really think it was just one game when we really struggled and that was Game III and the final.

“I think something happened after that game and we lost a bit of confidence out of that performance. You could see they were really disappointed, but, I thought that would help motivate them to go and that was why we stuck with that 17 throughout the series.”

Daley is set to lead NSW again in 2018 despite claiming just one series win during his five years in charge.

Daley admitted he has not spoken in detail with his troops after the series loss.

"Without talking to them, I haven’t got a greater understanding of it. We spoke about what we needed to do better after Game II and they seemed in the right headspace," Daley added.

“Looking back I think Queensland had a better team than they did in Game I. We did a really good job on their key players in Games I and II. In Game III the cream rose to the top.”

Daley said he would not hesitate selecting the same side again.

“I would back that 17 again but unfortunately we don’t get another opportunity,” he said.