Already pencilled in for State of Origin selection, Coen Hess will have no doubt had Maroons coach Kevin Walters reaching for the permanent marker after North Queensland’s 32-26 NRL win over Gold Coast.
But Cowboys coach Paul Green could not give his Origin blessing to Hess – yet.
In just his fifth start, the 20-year-old backrower proved the difference with two barnstorming second-half tries in which he carried four defenders over the line each time.
Queensland coach and selector Walters witnessed the powerhouse display from one of the best seats in the house as a Fox Sports TV commentator on Saturday night.
And he liked what he saw.
“Kevvie is scribbling in his Maroons notebook,” fellow TV commentator and Maroons great Gary Belcher said.
Green believed it was a matter of time before Hess played Origin – just not yet.
“It’s probably a bit early. He’s still learning,” he said.
“He has only played a handful of first grade games.
“Definitely one day. I think he is tailor made for Origin but it might be a bit early just yet.”
Hess looked every inch a budding Origin star when he made seven tackle busts to spark a Cowboys pack without leaders Matt Scott (knee) and Jason Taumalolo (ban).
After just his 12th game, Hess wasn’t getting caught up in the hype.
“To be honest I don’t look too much into it,” Hess told AAP.
“It is satisfying to get compliments but that is later on down the track.
“My priority is the Cowboys.”
Walters had already claimed Hess was “on the radar” before the young gun’s Cbus Super Stadium heroics.
The Maroons coach – elevated to one of three selectors this year – is on the lookout for fresh faces in a reshuffled 2017 Maroons pack.
Lock Corey Parker’s retirement and prop Matt Scott’s season-ending knee injury have left glaring holes.
And Manly frontrower Nate Myles is also battling for form.
It seems Hess can count on an Origin recommendation from Cowboys co-captain and Maroons great Johnathan Thurston.
The North Queensland playmaker is a clear Hess fan.
“You can tell by his performances – he is pretty cool, calm and collected,” Thurston said.
“He is fairly mature for a young bloke, knows how to read the game.
“I think the more we give him the ball in certain situations the better he will get.
“We all know the potential that he has – he has a big future.”
Hess at least has an Origin build after bulking up his 190cm frame to 114kg in the off-season.
“I’d hate to be feeding him, he’d cost a fortune,” Green said.
Rob
Guest
I think Hess is in the mix, but I can understand Green questioning his name being pushed this early in the season. The player to replace Scott is Napa. Parkers spot will probably be filled by McQueen, McGuire, Thaiday or Guerra. My Forward pack and bench would be. 8)Napa 9)Smith 10) Papalii 11)Gillett 12)Lowe 13) McGuire 14) Lawrence 15) Thiaday 16) McQueen 17) Morgan. There is a lot of football between now and SOO.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
TBF, he would probably smoke it up coming off the bench, but he's not ready, we need him :D
Rod
Guest
Any chance Greeny might make the same call for the game against the Rabbits. Whilst he's at it, he might want to get Lolo match fit in reggies this weekend.
Herman Hoth
Guest
Wallace and Lillyman gets a recall for experience. Maguire to lock. Throw Napa in and send Dave Taylor and SOS. No cowboys please Kevvie.
Jimmmy
Guest
I hope the selectors listen to Green. Look at the way the Cows developed Lolo. When he first started he was lucky to last 15 minutes. We slowly increased his workload as he matured. Now he is almost an 80 minute player. It takes a lot of maturity to play long minutes at your top level. I was so pleased with the way we brought on Jason Taumalolo and we are developing Hess the same way. Premature Origin selection is counterproductive to both QLD and the Cows.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Not sure where you'd fit him into the QLD team unless Thaiday and Papalii both played in the middle.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not at all...it's not the Queensland way though. I'm not sure about Hess. I don't think they'll be rushing him in but a reduced role off the bench might suit him. Queensland might need his grunt. A pack without Scott and Parker suddenly seems a lot less intimidating. Who do they bring in? Lillyman and McGuire? Wallace?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Not rubbish at all. If it's being proposed that he starts as a prop, then he is too young for Origin. If they intend to use him as an impact forward off the bench in ten minute bursts then that's another story. With this years weakened Queensland Origin side there is a good chance of a NSW series win, putting too much expectation on a five game veteran will destroy the kids confidence. More importantly it leaves a big hole in the Cowbies team, we don't need that. Give Dave Taylor a call up.
Herman Hoth
Guest
Can you blame him though? Every year the Cowboys get rifed for State of Origin. When I was younger I wouldn't have minded so much but now I'm a staunch advocate of the club first policy. I can see what Green means, he is an attacking powerhouse but sometimes he still misses 4-5 tackles a game. Not good enough for Origin. Plus if he loses favour with Queensland (which won't happen because they know he's the best candidate by a country mile, Kevvie is a fool and is lucky Cam Smith, Cronk and Thurston coach the Maroons) New Zealand will take him.
jeff dustby
Guest
the origin myth of not being reading is such bull
The Barry
Roar Guru
Green will be kicked out of the Maroons club putting club before State like that...
Jeff dustby
Guest
Comments like not ready for origin are rubbish Will he forget how to run hard and knock people over and tackle?