Do you hear that sound? That, my friends, is Origin in the air.
With Magic Round this weekend, we're about to turn out attention to the marquee series, and more specifically player selections.
Earlier in the week I made a case for big changes for the Queenslanders. Here I am today to pose a question for the new New South Wales coach, Laurie Daley.
Do you pick and stick with the incumbents who got the job done last year, or do you turn to the in form players of the competition?
Here are the questions I see being asked. The players under pressure from those in far better, current, form.
For the record, I see Nathan Cleary as an automatic in. There's just no way he's not being called in if available.
2. Jake Trbojevic vs Terrell May
For mine, Jake Trobojevic is not going to get anywhere near this Origin side.
Not a slight at the current Blues captain but there is no way in the world you can overlook Terrell May to join Payne Haas in the engine room for the Blues.
I understand the thinking of picking the Manly middle. He's experienced, one of the game's best defenders and a leader.
That's awesome, but he's not Terrell May.
If I'm Queensland, I'm hoping that Daley resists the chance to unleash a Haas/May one-two from the start.
I think out of everyone, Trbojevic is the most likely to lose his spot. Even as captain.
Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo currently captain a team who have won four straight Premierships. It's not as though the Blues are short on captaincy options.
May's going to be leading our Zero Tackle Player of the Year by the time this drops. He cannot be overlooked.
