The shadow or State of Origin 1 is looming large. We now head into May which means it's official Origin 1 month - it's a thing, I promise!
Unfortunately for Brad Fittler and his selection team, players are dropping like flies for the blues.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jake Trbojevic are both likely to miss Origin 1, while everyone south of the Tweed is sweating on the fitness or a certain Manly fullback.
With every 'likely' player who becomes unavailable, we are forced to look further and further down the line.
Cue the calls for NSW to name 'bolters'.
For those unaware with the term, at least in reference to Origin selection, a "bolter" is a player who is picked from out of nowhere.
A player who raced into selection due to either injuries elsewhere, brilliant form heading into the series, or most likely a mixture of both.
Brad Fittler is known for raising eyebrows with his selections so it's impossible to rule anything out.
That said, I believe the below "bolters" are a very real shot of an Origin call up for the May 31st contest in Adelaide.
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2. Nat Butcher
Last year I was very much on the "Nat Butcher for Origin then World Cup" bandwagon. Again, it's a thing!
As highly regarded as Liam Martin is, Butcher can do everything Martin can do, whilst offering a little bit more in terms of creativity.
Nothing against the Panthers' representative regular but right now if you asked me to pick one or the other, I'm leaning toward the Rooster.
Butcher has made an edge his for the tri-colours. He's played all but 90 minutes this season - the ten he spent in the sin bin and week suspension as a result.
If Fittler wants to start Butcher on an edge and use Cam Murray after 20 minutes, I could very much see that working.
He's probably just outside the squad on the current pecking order but if his name were called, you wouldn't get any arguments from me.
If I were Brad F, I would be putting the pencil through Turbo’s name right now. He was slow and ineffective against the Ponies last night, and on his _performances_ this season, he looks like he hardly belongs in the Manly side, let alone the Blues.
Campbell Graham or Steven Crichton to replace him – they are both playing well. Garrick for Addo-Carr ? Well maybe – I can’t see any other wingers standing out, so give him a go, unless Campbell Graham is to be made into a winger for the match.