Queensland's Origin future

As the Maroons have won yet another series, a legacy is close to ending as the warhorses for Queensland are slowly coming to the end of their careers.

Players such as Cameron Smith, Johnathon Thurston, Corey Parker, Cooper Cronk, Sam Thaiday, Matt Scott and Nate Myles. With all of these players being between 31 and 34 years old, it’s time to start thinking about who will fill in once they have retired or aren’t selected.

Cameron Smith has been arguably the greatest dummy-half ever to play the game, leaving big shoes to fill once the 33-year-old decides it’s time to hang up the boots. Jake Friend has been thrown into discussion as a likely replacement for Smith, after years of playing consistently for the Sydney Roosters.

Someone who hasn’t been given as much attention for the role is Andrew McCullough of the Brisbane Broncos. Both men can provide attacking structure with keeping the forwards rolling down field and setting up the all important set plays and are both very capable defenders.

Whoever gets the call up will do the state proud.

As for all the forwards like Parker (retiring), Thaiday (31), Scott (31) and Myles (31), the other forwards currently in the side like Josh McGuire, Josh Papalii, and Matt Gillett will step up in their roles.

Looking forward a couple years or even for next year, players like Dylan Napa, Ethan Lowe, Korbin Sims, Felise Kafusi and Jarrod Wallace can all push for a spot in the side in the coming years.

A future immortal like JT is impossible to replace, he has announced that next year will be is last in Queensland colours.

Cooper Cronk (32) also is a couple years away from retirement, which leaves both halves spots up for grabs. Players like Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford and Michael Morgan are the obvious contenders.

However DCE hasn’t performed to a high standard when he has been given the chance, so his opportunity may be gone unless he finds the form that made him a millionaire.

Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford have the chemistry already as the Broncos halves pairing, taking them to the 2015 grand final, no doubt they won’t let anyone down.

Michael Morgan has been in the side as an utility for the past two series, which gives him the loyalty vote. The only dark horse would be Corey Norman and Moses Mbye, both are controlling their respective teams and are doing so at a high level.

Both can make a selection headache in years to come, if Norman can clean up his off-field antics that is.

As one legacy is close to ending there is no need to panic if you’re a Queenslander because there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings for their moment to shine.