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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1. Reuben Garrick
Moving away from the middle to the flanks, the Blues have one certain winger - Brian To'o, but a spot on the other wing up for grabs.
Josh Addo-Carr and Daniel Tupou are injured while Jack Wighton, NSW's Mr Fix It, has retired from rep footy and this is unavailable.
Campbell Graham's form is red hot and demands selection. With Trell and Turbo the favoured centres, Campbell Graham's likely debut looks as though it will come on the wing.
Stephen Crichton's name has also, rightly, been well spoken up.
That said, if Fittler wants to run with a specialist winger, he could do worse than the try scoring freak playing on the northern beaches.
I don't think you can go wrong with Graham or Crichton but the week to week play in the position is what may put Garrick in the conversation.
His form has been excellent and he's very good in the air. Although slightly shorter than both other options, the fact he deals with the cross field kicks every week has to be tempting.
There's also the possibility of a Manly connection out wide with Turbo.
I don't expect his name to be called but Fittler has pulled bigger selection shocks during his tenure.
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.