The 2018 State of Origin series is rapidly approaching and both states eagerly await the naming of their teams for Game 1.
Queensland has seen the retirement of three of its superstars in Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk. A new era dawns for the men in maroon as they look to continue their dominance of the series.
In order to assist the selectors as they sit down for this enormous task, we name our Queensland squad for Game 1.
QUEENSLAND
Coach: Kevin Walters
Origin victories: 58
Series victories: 21
1. Billy Slater
Kevin Walters has already said he wont make last year's mistake of leaving Slater out of the team. With the loss of so much experience, Slater will be a crucial link to the future for the Maroons. He just has to avoid trying to do it all himself.
2. Valentine Holmes
Holmes started the season in the kind of form that could have cost him an Origin jersey, but has turned it around in recent weeks with some classy performances. He also looks like being the new goal-kicker in Cameron Smith's absence.
3. Greg Inglis (c)
Inglis has already said he'd be honoured to accept the Maroons' captaincy and few would question his credentials. He has come back from last year's knee injury full of running and has helped the Rabbitohs to their strong start. Always at his best when representing his adopted state.
4. Will Chambers
Chambers has built a reputation as being one of the best defensive centres in the game, but he offers plenty with the ball as well. The Storm centre will take his place in a relatively established Maroons backline, and won't let Kevin Walters down.
5. Dane Gagai
Gagai was the man-of-the-series last year and was a constant threat to the Blues' defence. He has gone off the radar a bit playing for the Rabbitohs this year, but he'll step up again once he pulls on the maroon jersey. They all do.
6. Cameron Munster
Munster stepped into the Maroons side for an injured Johnathan Thurston last year and had one of the best debut games ever seen. He will have all of the 2018 series to reaffirm his claim for the Maroons' five-eighth jersey for the forseeable future.
7. Ben Hunt
Hunt has been in sensational form since his move to the Dragons this year. He is one of the main reasons they are at the top of the ladder as the Origin period approaches. He plays a similar game to Cooper Cronk and will do a great job of steering the Queensland ship.
8. Matt Scott
Scott spent a large part of last season out through injury and had another knee scare last week against the Rabbitohs. Age might be catching up with the old warhorse, but he'll be leading the Maroons up front as he always does.
9. Jake Granville
Granville is one of three hookers with a genuine chance of replacing Cameron Smith in the No.9 jersey. Granville brings a bit more to the table than Jake Friend and Andrew McCullough, and should have first shot at filling the enormous boots vacated by Smith.
10. Dylan Napa
Roosters enforcer Napa has three Origin appearances under his belt and offers Queensland plenty of firepower up the middle. He will be thrown into the starting side again as his aggression is made for the opening exchanges.
11. Jarrod Wallace
Wallace's stellar form has seen him rewarded with a big new contract with the Titans. Queensland will be hoping to build their pack of the future around him.
12. Gavin Cooper
Cooper fits the mould of an industrious, mistake-free, all-heart forward - the kind the Maroons have been able to rely on for the past decade and a half.
13: Josh McGuire
McGuire looked as if he'd miss the start of the series with an ankle injury, but is on track to be fit for Game 1. The Maroons love his passion, intensity and fearlessness on both sides of the ball.
14. Michael Morgan
Morgan has been suffering from the same form slump all of his Cowboys teammates are currently enduring. He makes the perfect No.14 for the Maroons with his versatility off the bench.
15. Tim Glasby
Jokingly referred to as "Tim Who?" by New South Wales media when he was selected last year, Glasby left everyone in no doubt that he was another typical Maroons forward, who slotted straight in and performed faultlessly. With that experience under his belt, he is set to claim a long-term bench spot for Queensland.
16. Josh Papalii
Papalii has turned a corner recently after a run of poor form at the back of 2017. All reports are he's set to sign a new contract with Canberra Raiders, and Queensland will be hoping his purple patch holds up.
17. Jai Arrow
Arrow could represent the future for the Maroons pack. With less than 50 first grade games under his belt, he could be thrown into the deep end to see whether he sinks or swims. Matt Gillett's neck injury opens up a back-row position, at least for Game 1.