They took Qld apart in Game 1 and looked like doing so again in Game 2, up to h/t. One more try would have given them a lead of more than 2 converted tries and mentally killed off Qld. If NSW had kept going for points instead of shutting up shop and trying to run out the clock (thanks Laurie) it would've been more of the same.
Even Game 3, Qld led 12-0 at h/t but once NSW scored Qld looked genuinely rattled afterwards. It wasn't until Wade Graham repeated his dumb "let's strip the ball at a crucial point in the game" tactic from Game 2 and Qld scored from it that they looked like regaining any form of composure.
Like I said, they hobbled across the line. Daley should've been sacked in 2016 but was saved by the miracle try to save NSW from a white-wash at the very end of Game 3, but all last series proved was why the NSWRL should've sent him on his way 12 months earlier...