Maroons coach Billy Slater enters his second year, again with a deluge of talent at his disposal and some genuine selection conundrums. With the Origin shield tucked safely away at QRL HQ, expect Maroons selectors to largely ignore the temptation of widespread selection shocks and revert to the mantra which has served them both out of principle and necessity over the past 43 years.
It's definitely not an era where the best players available for the Maroons are also the only ones available, but that doesn't matter. With one or two irresistible exceptions and the odd tough call, the Maroons will rely on combinations and established harmony, then utilise a sense of calm and solidarity as a weapon against the Blues (who arelikely to stick to their own patterns, and make a glut of changes).
Please enjoy scrutinising this possible Maroons 20 man squad; including both expected picks, those pipped, and a classic bolter for good measure.
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Loyalty obviously wins here, Ponga is Queensland's incumbent and the No.1 jersey is very much his to lose. Showed enough in 40 minutes against the Titans to convince Maroons selectors he still has all the magic. Consistently lifts at Origin level, has well established combinations with Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt. A disrupted start to his year, but has the mindset to treat the Origin arena as his comeback playground.
Wing: Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)
An easy pick. Has zero recollections of his Suncorp Stadium debut in game three last year, after being knocked out cold inside three minutes. Is making better memories this year. Has clocked almost 170 metres a week in 2023, and busted 49 tackles. Couple that with 88% tackle efficiency, aerial ability and a 'hard yards' work ethic; he's a guy who'll play 30+ games for the Maroons if fate remains kind.
Centre: Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
You don't not pick a fit Val Holmes, regardless of the Cowboys' fortunes this season. Big metres, tackle busts and assists all over the park, coupled with goalkicking north of 80%. A proven big gamer, he's got a cool head and morphed into a guiding hand for the young players likely to be picked around him.
Centre: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
One to spectacularly buck the 'pick and stick' trend for Queensland. This guy simply has to be there after his rollicking start to life with the Dolphins. Unlike Walsh, slotting 'Hammer' into the centres is a bankable prospect. Ten tries, 150 metres a game, 87% tackle efficiency; all great numbers. Toss them aside, and this young man is showing genuine heart and soul qualities every week. He's ready made for the passion of the arena, and has a game under his belt.
Wing: Xavier Coates (Storm)
It's generally safe to assume points will be at a premium when Origin comes around, and Maroons selectors could do worse than giving Coates his jersey back. A lot of his key numbers are down on some of the other contenders, but his combination with Cam Munster and his ability to get up and spectacularly snaffle a high ball could well prove a game breaking ingredient. He was there for game one last year, lasting just 22 minutes.
Five-eighth: Cameron Munster (storm)
No spiel required. If fit, he will be there for as long as he wants to be. Glimpses of brilliance for Melbourne in a punctuated season, coupled with the monstrous desire he takes into the ones he really cares about. We saw it against Brisbane in round 11, we'll see it against the Blues. Munster's last truly great series was the 2020 boilover. Give him the combinations he knows, and the ball when he wants it.
Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
The much maligned skipper of the Maroons is still the competition's most naturally skilful halfback. For all the Sea Eagles' struggles in recent weeks, DCE is routinely among their best. His desire in a losing side remains one of his biggest (and least celebrated) strengths. The 34 year old was a man possessed in a Sea Eagles team receiving a comprehensive beating against the Broncos in round 10. He's rarely less than all heart and effort, a trait that can also lead to pushing his hand too far when the chips are down in club footy. In Origin though, this can be extremely valuable. The split second decision to abandon structure and try something- anything- when time and ascendancy is melting away is what carves out legends in the arena. DCE's Origin credibility has long been a target of critics in the former player turned media ranks (Cooper Cronk, take a bow here), but as twilight beckons he has well and truly earned the respect that goes with his status as Queensland's 15th Origin captain.
Prop: Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
With Josh Papalii's shock retirement from Origin football, the Maroons will need a prop to step up and take on the enormous task of filling his boots. An Australian test debut in the World Cup for Collins was the latest chapter in a rep story which began with an uncompromising display in the 2020 Maroons boilover. The 27 year old is destined to spend many years wrestling with Tom Flegler for a taste of Maroon. Like Papali'i, he doesn't compile Payne Haas-like numbers either side of the ball, but if you were a New South Welshman you likely wouldn't relish running at him.
Hooker Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Yes, the Dragons have been appalling and Ben Hunt has made no secret of his frustrations at NRL level. Yes, Harry Grant is the superstar with game turning skills, and age is playing 'chasey' with Hunt. But 'if it aint broke,' as they say. Back the 33 year old to start, offering a second 'old man' to the Queensland spine, and everything that goes with it. A brilliant kicking option and elite game management from dummy half, coupled with rattling defence and proven series defining nous. Can rotate into the halves with ease, and will be stinging to get into Origin camp and out of the Dragons bubble for a few weeks. Oh, and he won the series for them last year.
Prop: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
Fire is required to fight fire at this level. Tino is not just one of the competition's most impressive players; he's an impressive young man. And he's 23. Leading the Titans for a second year, he's raw and honest when discussing expectations of himself and his team mates, and the Gold Coast are a better team when he's on the field. He'll give the Maroons at least 15 high quality charges and probably slip an offload or two in as well. He'll make his tackles, and bust a few as well. He's got a motor to keep up with a Jake Trbojevic or Liam Martin, and won't wilt in the face of a fiery challenge from Payne Haas. This guy could be a future Maroons captain.
Second row: Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins)
Good luck finding a Queensland player who doesn't want to run out alongside this guy. Similarly, find a NSW player who would run at him by choice. A starring act for the Dolphins despite missing four games through suspension, and a key plank in building the DNA of the club in such a short space of time. He wont lead the stats, but he'll headline them if the opportunity presents. His selection for appearance number 15 would have happened anyway, but like Tabuai-Fidow's it has a nice tinge coming amid the Dolphins incredible entry to the NRL.
Second row: Kurt Capewell
A genuine 'pick and stick' call, offered with zero apologies. Capewell has been there and done it, and continues to inspire the Broncos with his effort areas despite not being the first picked from a purely statistical perspective. Complements his solidity with a well versed penchant for producing massive plays and popping up as a dogged kick chaser or deceptively agile support option. Provides excellent versatility across the park, and doesn't miss many tackles.
Lock: Pat Carrigan
Reigning player of the series for the Maroons, and the beating heart of Brisbane's return to the top of the NRL ladder. This young man is like a rugby league clone; created using the very best attributes from the very finest middle and edge forwards of the modern era. Some particularly scathing critics question his impact when not playing alongside Payne Haas, but such critique is short sighted. Look for him to feel more comfortable in the arena alongside his rising stature in the game.
BENCH
Interchange: Harry Grant (Storm)
A star at every level of the game, and has ridden the wave of some indifferent Storm form with consistent performances in 2023. A genuine game breaker from dummy half against fresh legs, even moreso when unleashed into a fatiguing defensive line. Has not looked back since grabbing the arena by the throat in his 2020 debut. Hasn't enjoyed the sparkling 1-2 rotation at club level in the wake of Brandon Smith's Storm departure. Tipping him to be hungry for the collaboration as a result.
Interchange: Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs)
Arrow is a proven warrior at Origin level, an incumbent and a versatile bench forward. The 11-gamer squeezes into the line-up amid a deluge of backrow options. He is capable of making the hard yards up the middle, as well as playing on an edge and his defence is reliable and unwavering.
Interchange: Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
Has showcased versatility in the Cowboys topsy turvy 2023 campaign, and been their best more than once. A powerhouse with the ability to cover most of the forward pack, and one of those players many former greats vaguely describe as being 'made for Origin.' Selection will be a vote of confidence after his inspired start in the arena last year. Slater would have surely seen enough in Cotters one game, 80 minute introduction to want him in the side.
Interchange: Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
Ding ding ding. Bolter alert. Saving the classic Maroons 'promise pick' til last with the inclusion of this rampaging Raider. Horsburgh is a red headed firebrand who packs a (quite literal) punch. Despite a semi regular run of heated clashes with opponents, he's matured a great deal this year and could bring a serious degree of hurt to the Maroons stocks. Slater and selectors may need to accept the fact there'll likely be some niggle, possibly an infringement or two; and weigh it up alongside the very alluring prospect of bulk post contact meters and devastating defence.
Pipped:
Reece Walsh has been electric for the Broncos; but tellingly isn't consistently at his best when his team is locked in the grind. Summation- the pivotal jersey isn't his to take just yet. Some will argue for Walsh to have a spot found for him somewhere. At this level though there is such a thing as 'too many cooks,' and the 20 year old is not yet the player to gamble on in an unfamiliar role, or a potentially crucial utility spot. Walsh hasn't played at this level and isn't part of the established combinations in Queensland's spine. He'll be fitted for the blazer and remain a squad member, barring injury, illness or suspension.
Dane Gagai has been spoken about as a candidate for a wing shuffle to accommodate Tabuai-Fidow's ascension to the centres. Make no mistake, it could happen. It is Queensland selecting the team after all. On form and available talent though, it might be smarter to avoid shifting both him and Tabuai-Fidow positionally and consign the 21-game hero to the hall of past Maroon stars. He's the odd peg in a backline brimming with form. When push comes to shove and Billy Slater is looking for an option with speed to burn, defensive nous, clout under the high ball and game breaking instincts; the cold fact is Gagai isn't the player he was. For all his highlights in 21-straight Origin games the 32 year old has had his share of defensive misreads and crucial errors in recent series. He's not the only one on the other side of 30 in this core Queensland squad, but will be the first to be farewelled.
David Fifita. Since re-signing with the Titans in March this one time walk up Maroon has not looked back. 169 metres, 42 tackle busts and 13 offloads per game are what's put him in the conversation. Could he flourish on the Maroons right edge if given a shot outside his preferred left, could he improve on a 1-4 winning record by being there, or would NSW handle him as effectively as they have in the past? It's a long series and time may tell. Slater brushed him last year though, so there's that.
Tom Gilbert is an incumbent with the ability to play in the middle and on an edge, and another key plank in the building of the Dolphins DNA. This selection process had him under consideration for a starting berth; before watching a few replays of Kaufusi's highlight reel from the year so far. A lengthy Origin career beckons GIlbert, it may well extend this year. Expect selections alongside the currently N/A Jeremiah Nanai for a highly complementary backrow in future.
Tom Flegler is almost the forgotten man in the Maroons prop debate. A big endorsement of the Maroons current stocks, and a ruthless, hard hitting option to slot in if needed.