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Having picked my NSW team yesterday, today I’ll name my Maroons side. Queensland is certainly the easier of the two teams to pick, with not many positions really being up for grabs.
So who will play for the Maroons and aim to make it nine straight this year?
1. Billy Slater
Debate is raging about whether Queensland should really have Slater at fullback, with Billy displaying some very worrying club form and Greg Inglis showing he is perhaps the best fullback in the comp.
However it is hard to select against the man who has been at fullback for most of Queensland’s winning streak, so Slater gets the spot.
2. Darius Boyd
Traditionally plays fullback under Wayne Bennet, but has played on the wing for Queensland for many years and has done a solid job. No real challengers for his spot.
3. Greg Inglis
Will go back to his original position for Queensland. Though many want him at fullback, Queensland with both Inglis and Slater are certainly a better team.
4. Will Chambers
Has been once again playing solid football for the Melbourne Storm and after playing one game for Queensland last year, and with Justin Hodges not having played enough footy yet to be a legitimate choice for the Origin arena, Chambers should get a prolonged shot at the centre spot this year.
5. Brent Tate
Tate, although playing in the centres for the North Queensland Cowboys, will no doubt line-up on the wing yet again for the Maroons.
6. Johnathan Thurston
Absolutely no questions asked about the five-eighth spot – Thurston gets the role for the Queensland team, like he has for so many years now. Just ask the NSW Blues, they love him.
7. Cooper Cronk
Cronk will play halfback for the Maroons even with young Daly Cherry-Evans snapping at his heels. Cronk’s club form has been worrying for the Maroons to say the least but the Maroons won’t leave him out as they go for nine straight.
8. Matt Scott
Has been a part of the Queensland set-up for a lot of their winning run and is a very solid front rower. Has been playing well for the cowboys and has been consistent in the Origin cauldron. Will definitely be there for the Maroons again.
9. Cameron Smith (c)(gk)
Like Melbourne Storm teammates Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, Smith’s club form is worrying from the Maroons point of view, but the captain for the Maroons will be named again and will be hoping to turn it on.
10. Dave Shillington
Probably a little bit lucky to make the side again but does his job for his club the Canberra Raiders and hasn’t done too much wrong for the Queensland team.
11. Nate Myles
The famous Paul Gallen punching bag forehead will definitely be somewhere in the Queensland side, although may play front row. Runs the ball hard, tackles hard and is a big asset to the Queensland team.
12. Sam Thaiday
It is beginning to seem age will never slow down Slammin’ Sam Thaiday. He has been playing exceptional football as part of a very strong Broncos pack this year and will no doubt be one of the first picked when the selectors sit down to pick the team.
13. Corey Parker
Most certainly the best lock Queensland could pick. Played in all three games last year, although coming off the bench in Game 1. No doubt he will be there on the back of some good club form in the early part of the season for the Brisbane Broncos.
14. Matt Gillett
After playing off the bench in all three of Queenslands games last year, Matt Gillett will be there off the bench once again this year. Has been playing well for the Broncos early in the season.
15. Daly Cherry-Evans
When Cherry-Evans was first picked for Origin, it was thought it would be another case of blooding another young player for the future, similar to Cooper Cronk. However, the next big thing of the NRL is an excellent utility player and will be there again this year to perform the same role.
16. Ben Hannant
Hannant has been there for most of Queensland’s winning streak, although not last year due to injury. Has been playing some very solid football for the Broncos and will add a lot of spark off the Queensland bench in the front row.
17. Josh Papalii
Probably the last one picked for the squad, just edging Ben Te’o and Chris McQueen for the final bench spot for the Maroons. If selected for Origin 1, it will be interesting to see if he can keep his spot for the whole series.