Final word from Myles: 'We're worrying about our backyard and protecting our home game'

“I know the boys are pretty good with that now. But yeah, for myself, it was a long day. It was nervous and nerve-wracking and I'm just lucky I had crazy family coming to Brisbane to calm me down and settle me.

“Now, there are definite moments there where I feel just as nervous as when I was playing, but the fact is I don't have to play and don't have to get bashed and don't have to do the plays at the right time for the right results… it’s still nerve-wracking though."

Myles said for him, most of the nerves came because it meant so much and wearing the jersey evoked such a “special feeling”.

“The concept of State of Origin was always a big thing at my house as a kid… if you're fortunate enough to play a game for Queensland, you understand what your role is and that you have a duty to uphold,” Myles said.

“It means the world to me, the jersey.”

For those who have noticed Johnathan Thurston and Myles on the sideline during Origin games, it is evident there is so much love for the jersey and the team.

“It’s obvious that we really enjoy our role in this team now,” Myles said, adding he felt "like a zookeeper" trying to contain the always-animated Thurston.

“We probably have to rein things in a little bit, but at the same time, I hope the players understand how much it means to everyone and even if you are part of the staff, you still ride it with them.”

Myles, who has been working with the forwards throughout camp alongside Cameron Smith, said the calibre of players in the team was second to none.

Myles said “so many things” impressed him about the Game II team.

“I don't really know where I would start to be honest,” Myles said.

“They’re all so eager to be around each other, they really enjoy each other’s company, which is a massive thing, and if you ask them to do something, they go out and do it straight away is always a terrific compliment to receive.

“They are just a good young bunch of guys, real gentlemen, and they're actually, you know, other than their football and what they do on the field, what they're doing off the field is making a big mark on the community. We're proud of them for that.

“I'm really liking Corey Horsbrugh coming in as 19th man. Just his involvement in camp and the way he's been every day… it's not always an easy position to come in and most likely not play, but still give everything.

“But every player that comes in is special and they're vital and they're vital in our preparation. Everyone knows a lot of the boys in the forward pack already and I think someone like Corey Horsbrugh doing his part for us, is what we're all about.”

Myles said he had every confidence in the team going into Game II.

“I think we had patches in the first game where we weren't building into it as we wanted to and I think that was pretty evident when we are focusing on building and, and sticking to our procedures and warming into it, it becomes a much better event," Myles said.

“I think for our boys, the focus would definitely be about being consistent and starting well and building into the game and being aware of a team that are coming up here to upset us.

“We're worrying about our backyard and protecting our home game.

“We all know the calibre of players, and like I said before, gentlemen, we have in this team."