The 2019 State of Origin series is rapidly approaching and both states eagerly await the naming of their teams for Game 1.
Queensland is in a relatively unfamiliar position this year, having lost the 2018 series. Greg Inglis and Billy Slater have joined the Maroons legends in retirement, leaving the team in a rebuilding phase. Still, with players like Kalyn Ponga and Cameron Munster stepping up, they'll be right in this as always.
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: 57
Series victories: 21
1. Kalyn Ponga
A short-lived move to the halves for the Knights was swiftly reversed with Ponga clearly more dangerous at fullback. He will step into Billy Slater's No. 1 jersey after a memorable Game 2 debut for Queensland last year off the bench.
2. Corey Oates
The rangy Broncos winger can be a handful for defences with his bullocking runs out of his own territory. A very capable finisher, he is a real threat under the high ball and deserves to retain his position in the side particularly with the departure of Valentine Holmes from the other wing.
3. Michael Morgan
A versatile back who usually plays either five-eighth or fullback for the Cowboys, he is hard to leave out of the starting side. If DCE fails his fitness tests, there is talk of moving Morgan straight into the No. 7 jersey.
4. Will Chambers
With Greg Inglis now retired, Chambers will be expected to step up his running game. Solid in defence and always ready to fire up, Chambers is the kind of player that gets under the skin of opponents.
5. Dane Gagai
Always lifts for Origin and was one of Queensland's best the past couple of series. Can play anywhere in the outside backs but is very familiar with the wing at representative level.
6. Cameron Munster
The Storm star has really stepped things up this year after the departure of attacking weapon Billy Slater and he'll have to do the same for the Maroons. A very dangerous ball runner, the defence will have to have both eyes on him as well as looking for Ponga lurking around the back.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
DCE proved in Game 3 last year that he is capable of taking over from the likes of Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston, steering the Maroons to victory. He is in doubt as he recovers from and ankle injury, with Hunt or Morgan in line to step in should he not make it.
8. Matt Scott
Scott has been missing from Origin for a couple of years now, mostly through injury. In recent outings for the Cowboys he has shown that he is back to near his best. A mountain of experience, his leadership in the pack could be just what the Maroons need.
9. Jake Granville
With an injury to last year's hooker Andrew McCullough, there has been plenty talk of playing Ben Hunt in the No. 9 jersey. Hunt has been in mixed form in the No. 7 jersey at club level and would be a huge risk at hooker. Granville is a proven performer at club level and will handle the step up to Origin.
10. Jarrod Wallace
Wallace has been out of the spotlight a bit as the Titans continue to struggle. A proven performer at Origin level, if he is not in the starting pack he will definitely be on the bench somewhere.
11. Josh Papalii
Papalli can pull on any jersey in the pack and cause havoc with his wrecking ball runs, whether up the middle or on the edges. He gave the ladder-leading Rabbitohs nightmares last week and should do the same to the Blues forwards.
12. Matt Gillett
Gillett missed last year's series through injury, but has been back to his best with the Broncos this season. He will be one of the first forwards picked for the Maroons as he never lets them down with his defence, dangerous edge running and ability to slip a pass.
13. Jai Arrow
The Titans forward has been playing some great football in a beaten side. Under an injury cloud after hobbling off the training paddock, if fit, he will be in a Maroons jersey somewhere.
14. Ben Hunt
A must for the bench, especially with DCE returning from an ankle injury. Hunt can play hooker to give Granville a breather or slot into the halves if needed. On the bench he will miss out on the brutal early exchanges where he would be targetted in the middle of the ruck.
15. Felise Kaufusi
The Storm backrower is proven at representative level and provides plenty of energy whenever he is on the field. Tireless in defence, he will play a key role in any Queensland victory.
16. David Fifita
Fifita is one of the young Broncos forwards who on their day have proven to be just about unstoppable. Queensland will start him from the bench and bring him on for maximum impact as the game settles into a battle.
17: Josh McGuire
The Cowboys prop is returning from a calf injury and is in some doubt. If he makes it through the weekend he will go close to edging Dylan Napa out of a bench spot.