IT has to be the most heart-warming image of the Blues’ series winning 6-4 victory over the Maroons.

In the dressing rooms after the game Alex McKinnon is embraced by his former Dragons teammate Trent Merrin as celebrations continue around them.

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media_camera Wally Lewis and Alex McKinnon have a chat at Wednesday’s Origin encounter. Picture Gregg Porteous

McKinnon was a special guest at the game having travelled across town from Royal North Shore Hospital where he is recovering from a devastating spinal injury he received in a tackle while playing for the Knights against the Storm earlier this year.

Merrin and McKinnon played first grade alongside each other in 2011 and were also County teammates in 2013.

Wally Lewis also spent time with McKinnon earlier in the night.

INTERACTIVE PLAYER RATINGS

HAYNE PROVES TO BE BLUES SAVIOUR

CAPTAIN GAL WE SALUTE BLUE

BIG WOODS BRUSHES OFF CONTROVERSY

QUEENSLAND RIGHT TO GAMBLE ON CHERRY-EVANS

After the game there was a tremendous outpouring of emotion from all the Blues players and coach Laurie Daley.

“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life,” Robbie Farah said after the match.

“I think about it every day, the losses over the last few years hurt so bad. I’m sure my mum has a great big smile on her face watching down on us.

“We hung in there — it wasn’t pretty but we kept banging on the door until we broke through.”

Blues coach Laurie Daley paid tribute to the almost 84,000 strong crowd.

“My heart is racing. the crowd got us home,” Daley said.

State of Origin: Game II media_camera Greg Inglis scuffles with Beau Scott. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) 1 of 34 media_camera Brent Tate goes off after injuring his knee. pic. Phil Hillyard 2 of 34 media_camera Sam Thaiday drops the ball as he goes over the tryline. pic Mark Evans 3 of 34 media_camera A Blue-heavy crowd watches the action. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images) 4 of 34 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 30 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

MATCH CENTRE: Teams, Match Tracker, Polls and Stats as they happen

See how the match unfolded and check out all the post-game reaction.

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Originally published as McKinnon shares Origin joy with Blues