Rugby league fans, we can no longer deny it! State of Origin is on the horizon.
Two rounds seperate us and the representative period, with teams set to be selected after Round 11s Magic Round festivities.
The predicted sides are flowing. For the first time in many years, there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on either team's best line-up, this year expanded to 19.
Both coaches have a series of selection headaches caused by either availability or form. In same cases, two players are demanding selection but only one spot is available.
Here are six major State of Origin selection questions:
3. Cameron Munster: Do QLD pick on form or class?
Cameron Munster has been one of the truly elite players of the modern era. He becomes even scarier the literal second that QLD jumper hits his skin.
In 22026 though, he has fallen a long, long way down the pecking order. In terms of form anyway.
I cannot imagine a world in which Cameron Munster is overlooked for an Origin game, but for the first time in many years it looks a possibility.
Does Billy Slater stick with the class of Cameron Munster, or does he opt for the form of Sam Walker to partner Tom Dearden?
If you're picking on form Daly Cherry-Evans is well ahead of the Melbourne legend. Ezra Mam also. Braydon Trindall. Tanah Boyd!
Munster will become a world beater come Origin One, I'm convinced. I'm just not convinced he's earned that right this season.
DCE for Munster. This year he has shown he can play 6 without trampling over the 7, and if the 7 goes down injured then Queensland will have the best possible replacement already on the field.
NSW Full back ? Depends on how the coach wants the team to play. If he has no idea (don’t laugh) then he should go with the Panthers connection.
Ponga or Walsh for Queensland ? First question should be “who is fit”.
For the bench, he should pick the fastest set of forwards, with the best endurance, that he can identify. I don’t know who they would be. That is a reflection of how the game will be refereed. I would not select AFB. He would have been great in the years before six-again, but he doesn’t look like a million dollar player under the new regime.
AJB ? Maybe. I wouldn’t object to him in a “bench utility” role. Last year, both teams put four forwards on the bench for both games, so we can’t look back and see who was the favoured candidate. Maybe Matt Burton – he scored an 18th man spot – but he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the Dogs this season. Connor Tracey could put his hand up – he’s played everywhere from 1 to 7. Like Burton, he has had a quiet season with Canterbury, but in a better performing team he shouldn’t let any one down.