When Darius Boyd went down at Broncos training before the season even kicked off, all Queensland backs were put on notice to stake their claim for the coveted Maroon jersey.
Seven rounds into the NRL season a few contenders have emerged for that vacant spot.
Here are the best candidates so far.
Dane Gagai
Dane Gagai appears the most obvious choice to directly replace Boyd. He has been in the Maroons system for a few years, being groomed to take over from players like Brent Tate and Boyd when they called time on their illustrious careers.
Only 24, Gagai seems a perfect choice as one of the next generation of Maroons.
Michael Morgan
Michael Morgan is another man who has been in the Maroons system for a while, but his selection comes with a few asterisks.
First of all, it would require a backline reshuffle – Billy Slater would have to be moved back to the wing to allow Morgan to play his natural fullback. Unfortunately, Morgan does not play fullback regularly.
This would be a bold selection, but with the fantastic form Morgan is in, may not be a bad one.
Valentine Holmes
Valentine Holmes has a huge chance to be the first player to be selected in senior State of Origin the year after playing under 20s Origin.
Holmes has been fantastic in this his first real season of NRL, staking a claim on the Sharks’ fullback role ahead of both Ben Barba and Michael Gordon. Holmes is one of the shining lights in a Sharks side that is starting to surprise teams.
Do not be surprised if he is selected to make the step up.
Dale Copley
After a so-so start to his career, Dale Copley has been making strides these past few years, being rewarded with selection in the Kangaroos train-on side last year.
While he didn’t make the final squad, this endorsement plus the 16 tries he scored last year to lead Brisbane’s try-scroing should see him in Mal Meninga’s mind when it comes to selecting a replacement for the injured Boyd.
John Folau
While 20-year-old John Folau is the most inexperienced player on the list, he is already making waves in the NRL as big as his older brother did when he entered the league in 2007.
While Folau is also the least likely on the list to be selected, he is big, strong, fast, a great athlete, and most importantly tough.
There’s a very strong case that he is not yet ready, but if he were selected I would back him.
josh
Roar Rookie
but hasn't he done it well.
Doc79
Roar Rookie
If I'm wayne bennett I'd call time on hodges altogether even before the season ends. With boyd and hodges, bennett is loyal to a fault on those two.
Tony
Guest
I think a real bolter could be Corey Oates .He seems to have made a fist of playing on the wing for the Broncos.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
If Inglis goes to fullback chambers goes to centre and the wingers will be Gagai and probably Copley.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Remember when Hodges played out of position on the wing?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Thompson actually has a surprising ability to make tough carries and it's very uncommon to see him get trapped in goal, I can recall at least a few instances of him breaking through 3-4 tacklers (most of whom were good players) to get himself out.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Love Corey Thompson and would nominate him for the NRL's most underrated winger, HOWEVER.......he is too small for Origin. Apart from "just" getting gifts from GI, you have to be prepared to act as extra forwards when the going gets tough and return the ball into the teeth of the defence as Will Chambers did admirably in Game III last year and Brent Tate for many a year before him. Dane Gagai is the man, daylight second.
TeamListGuy
Roar Rookie
They have a wealth of backrowers... Thaiday, Guerra, Parker, Papalii, Gillett, McQueen... Id be tempted to play Gillett or McQueen in the centres if that was the case. Slater will be fine though. Heres my QLD backline. Slater at Fullback, Holmes and Barba on the wing and Inglis and Chambers in the centres. I think Hodges should retire from rep footy but I dont think he will. I expect him to be named in the centres with Chambers on the wing
kevin dustby
Guest
hes an aussie who plays for the kiwis
kevin dustby
Guest
hes not even in the Dogs full strength team
langwrthebronco
Guest
1: Slater 2: Boyd 3: Inglis 4: Hodges 5: Chambers Tautau Moga Gaigai Holmes Folau Copley Vidot Thomson Nielson Barber Milford Morgan 1:Inglis 2:Moga 3:Chambers 4:Hodges/Gaigai 5:Copley
Rooster guy
Guest
Just so you know Myles, Boyd Cordner was the first player to player origin the year after playing u/20's origin. Although, he might be the first Queenslander to do it.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Youre raising a good point about the centres. And I guess this is where Myles' suggestion of Folau comes into it. But he's still too green. Although I do love a feel good story and from what I've seen of him makes me a big fan. Now that Hodges is succumbing to yet another injury someone needs to make the call on his rep' future. He doesn't seem to want to do it himself unfortunately, and it creates a big problem for Queensland. Let's say that Billy and Hodges are out along with Boyd? Either GI goes into fb, and you bring in an experienced centre pair with another newbie at wing. Or GI stays where he is, bring in a newbie centre, wing and fullback. Or the likes of Hunt or DCE play out of position. I can see Hunt doing OK in the centres, but where else would Cherry play apart from hooker? And that just creates more dramas. Glad it isn't my problem.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Billy Slater is likely to return this weekend, and Josh Hoffman is a Kiwi.
MikeTV
Guest
Dane Gagai and Will Chambers will play on the Wings, replacing Darius Boyd and Brent Tate. The bigger dilemma for Qld will be replacing Justin Hodges and Billy Slater if they are still injured. I can't see Anthony Milford / Ben Barba being selected at Full Back ahead of Greg Inglis. So worst case scenario is that Queensland will need to find two more Centres - perhaps Dane Neilsen and out of left field ? Does Josh Hoffman still qualify for Queensland ?
Tony
Guest
I would put Corey Thompson on the wing he had a good year for the Bulldogs last year
Dav
Guest
FullBack is not Morgans natural position, 2 years ago he had a chip kick solo try from centre to win the QRL competition for the Cutters. he has played mostly in the back line somewhere. He can cover many positions and for that he would be better suited on the bench as a utility.
Josh
Guest
Peeko was thinking the same thing. Catch the ball and fall over the line. That's all he has ever done in origin.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Personally, if I was a Queenslander, I'd still rather see Morgan at fullback and Billy on the wing. He'll be playing there again sooner or later anyway.
peeko
Guest
anyone who can catch the gifts that Greg Inglis gives them and can place the ball over the line