The Michael Maguire era of New South Wales has begun with a bang, ushering in big changes across the field, and opting for some controversial selections in key positions. Rugby-bound Joseph Sua'ali'i and Zac Lomax will debut in the new-look backline, and while neither of those are particularly surprising calls - the rest are.
Remember that iconic scene in The Simpsons when Homer Simpson abruptly stands up at the dinner table, and announces to the family that he's going to enrol in clown college? The oddness of the situation prompts Bart to turn to the rest of the family and say "I don't think any of us expected him to say that".
In this case, coach Maguire is Homer, and "going to clown college" is "dropping the Australian captain and also dumping Api Koroisau for Reece Robson".
The thing is, if this fullback change had been made in 2023 it would have been far less shocking. Public support was firmly behind Dylan Edwards getting a chance and James Tedesco was in the midst of a tough start of the season for the Roosters.
But this year? Edwards has continued to shine, but so has Tedesco - the Roosters' attack has been exquisite at times and their skipper is a large part of that. It's fair to say that plenty of people, particularly Penrith fans, will be delighted. But to take away Tedesco's ball playing and power running game is a huge risk.
Edwards is a perfect player for Penrith with his effort plays, tireless running and positional aptitude in defence, but it's not like Tedesco is poor in those areas - and it's clear the latter is a more dangerous weapon in attack.
Sometimes, change doesn't need to be done for the sake of change. Tedesco is arguably New South Wales' best player to debut in the 21st century, and dropping him gives critics a clear line of sight at Maguire should his gamble fail in game one.
Less contentious is the halves, with Nicho Hynes and Jarome Luai basically the last two blokes standing, along with Matt Burton who is in the squad but not in the 17.
Saturday night's masterclass against the Sharks couldn't have come at a better time for Luai, who gets another chance to prove himself in sky blue after being dropped for last year's decider - and seeing his replacement, Cody Walker, win man of the match.
Hynes' form this year had locked him into a jersey regardless of who was fit, and although a failed HIA ruled him out of most of this weekend's thrashing at the hands of the Panthers, it doesn't take away from the season he's had.
The back row and bench is where it gets even more puzzling. Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau'atu are all worthy of selection, but picking all four along with two middle forwards on the bench seems bizarre.
That's not even addressing the selection of Spencer Leniu, who has barely played, over other props such as Tom Hazleton, Junior Paulo or Daniel Saifiti - because the issue isn't who is the fifth middle forward, but why they even need one.
Jake Trbojevic has hardly come off the field for Manly this year and Payne Haas can give you an hour of high quality play. Why then, go with four forwards on the bench?
There's a real chance that this game ends up crying for someone like Matt Burton, who can cover multiple backline positions and shift games with his powerful boot - to see him 18th man while trying to work out how every forward on that bench is going to get enough minutes is immensely frustrating.
But you can make a case for Edwards earning a place on club form, and for going with a big pack if you think you'll be able to physically dominate Queensland (who will pick one if not multiple smaller players on their bench).
However, unless Koroisau is injured, dropping him is the strangest selection decision I can remember in years. Despite the Tigers' awful form since the star hooker made the switch from Penrith, he's been their best player pretty much every week, and was great for the Blues last year.
And if you are going to penalise Koroisau for his club team's lack of wins, how then, can you sign off on Robson who hasn't been anywhere near his best this year, and whose team just had a five-week winless run of their own?
There is no doubt in my mind that Koroisau is the best No.9 in the game right now, and has been slogging his guts out for two years in a pretty poor side - to leave him out is a huge statement from Maguire, and one that already has some Blues fans scratching their heads.
NSW SQUAD: Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Zac Lomax, Jarome Luai, Nicho Hynes, Jake Trbojevic, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Cameron McInnes. Bench: Isaah Yeo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young. 18th: Matt Burton. Reserves: Luke Keary, Mitchell Barnett.