Ben Elias has become the latest high-profile Blue to claim Billy Slater is rattled, arguing the Queensland coach has shown signs of weakness in Maroons camp.
Slater's preparation has come under the microscope for the first time in recent weeks, as Queensland fight for a third straight series win on Wednesday night.
Of particular interest has been Slater's decision to pull players from one-on-one interviews with media, while shielding some from reporters entirely this week.
The decision to leave barnstorming Gold Coast forward David Fifita out of the series has also been scrutinised.
Slater's Channel Nine colleague Paul Gallen last week claimed he had never seen Slater so rattled, pointing to his "Queenslander" comments after the Maroons' crushing loss in Origin II.
Elias went one step further on Sunday, the former NSW hooker claiming Slater had been second guessing himself ahead of the decider.
"There's no two ways about it, he is doing things he has not normally done," Elias said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
"He works very hard and is very comprehensive and an exceptional coach. And I love every manner he does.
"But I see in these anecdotes he has changed his way of preparation. He has certainly changed his way for Game III than he has for all other games.
"There are mannerisms he has done, and actions he has presented that are totally different ... Seeing it from afar, that is the first sign of weakness."
Slater has defended his decisions around media access as logistical issues, before also holding Tuesday's training session behind closed doors.
Elias has also previously been critical of Blues mentor Michael Maguire in his time as Wests Tigers coach, but suggested Maguire had outplayed Slater off the field with his barbs.
"This is really Slater's big test. You have seen signs of frustrations and really second guessing himself at times," Elias said.
"So when I get asked why do NSW win? It starts at the top, and the top is the coach. Madge (Maguire) has been a lot more cool calm and collected in this whole way.
"The old glass houses (sledge) certainly rattled them.
"The first signs of being under a lot of pressure is what Slater did when he shut off all the media and spectators.
"Normally he has been a very open book and accommodating for everybody, including the media and spectators and family and friends.
"But when it starts getting a little tough, he shuts down. That's probably been the greatest sign of weakness I see for Game III."
