For many years the Queensland Origin side all but picked itself. The likes of Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis are the first five players picked in any side.
With Thurston and Cronk retired from rep footy and Slater's status up in the air, the side is going to look different in 2018 and beyond.
We take a look at the future contenders for positions.
Backs
Valentine Holmes: The Sharks fullback turned winger is not having a huge season. He does have a huge opportunity with four to six weeks at fullback after an injury to Josh Dugan. Given the fact he was arguably the series decider last year and was the Kangaroo's superstar in the World Cup, Holmes will feature. I'm not sure he has done enough to warrant talk at fullback but he will surely be the first winger picked.
Dane Gagai: Another current Maroons superstar who will likely be picked despite a less than stellar season. Gagai has failed to fire in red and green during his time at Redfern but he is another who almost has to be picked based on past performances. Gagai hasn't done enough at centre to push the likes of Chambers and Inglis but he will be picked on the wing.
Corey Oates: Arguably the unluckiest man in Queensland to be stuck behind the two aforementioned superstars out wide. Oates played Origin previously but didn't have the greatest of games. That said he was absolutely magnificent in the Broncos win over the Bunnies. He is a genuine contender for a spot if the injuries at Red Hill force a move into the second row. If not, he'll probably be watching on as Holmes and Gagai ply their trade.
Darius Boyd: There are mixed reports about the status of Billy Slater. I swear I heard his time in rep footy was done after the World Cup win but I haven't seen anything official. If Slater plays, I don't know how the QLD and Kangaroo superstar makes this side given Gagai and Holmes will be the wingers. Boyd has been an absolute monster for his state but hasn't shown the form to bump the others out of the side. That said, outside Greg Inglis, he has formed the most dangerous outside back combination in Origin history, so there's that.
Michael Morgan: We mentioned Morgan last week as the lead contender for a halves position to partner Cameron Munster. Now I'm not so sure. There's talk of moving him to fullback in hopes of sparking the Cowboys season into gear. He was the form player of the finals series and did well in the World Cup when called upon but what a difference an off-season can make. I still think he'll be selected, but unlikely it'll be in the run on side.
Forwards
Jai Arrow: If he wasn't already a contender the recent injuries to Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire have made Arrow an almost automatic pick. He has been the star on the Gold Coast. His work rate is incredible and his ability to back up is almost unmatched. Origin needs workhorses who can also offload. Arrow is that man. Will be in the talk to grab a bench spot at very least.
Coen Hess: Despite the horror start to the season by the Cowboys, Coen Hess will add to his previous Origin games. He is an absolute wrecking ball and becomes a huge player for the Maroons in 2018. Gillett is out, McGuire is out and Thaiday's time in the jersey is done. The Maroons need a big, powerful, aggressive forward to step up and fill those gaps. Coen Hess is the man. No question in the world.
Josh Papalii: A former automatic selection for the Maroons. This year a spot in the squad looks a struggle. He has shown far improved form since being benched by Ricky Stuart but he's a player you'd probably be forgiven for expecting more from. That said, don't count out the champion second rower, especially given the injuries to some front line cattle.
Matt Scott: A third Cowboy on the list. Scott missed last season's series through injury and is at real risk of missing this year's series as well. Another you shouldn't write off given his past efforts at this level but I think the time might have come to move on from the champion prop.
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