State of Origin is on the way, with the New South Wales Blues out to hold the crown they so emphatically claimed last year.
This of course means it is time to speculate about the make-up of the teams for Game 1.
Latrell Mitchell's injury and unavailability mean Brad Fittler will be forced into making one large change to last year's victorious side. Will he go back to Clint Gutherson/Jack Wighton or blood a fresh talent?
Does Ryan Papenhuyzen finally make his Origin debut, or does someone else trump him for the utility spot?
All these questions will be answered over the coming weeks, however below are five players I genuinely consider 'Origin bolters'.
That is, players who probably weren't going to be considered in the pre-season but now could fly into selection contention.
3. Nicho Hynes
In the pre-season, we heard it all. Nicho Hynes was a Storm system player. He was capable only of playing fullback.
Well fast forward seven rounds and Hynes is neck and neck with Ryan Papenhuyzen for the Origin utility position for Origin 1.
He can play anywhere from fullback, centres, halves or in the front line. He adds extreme utility value and has the creativity to bust a tired forward pack wide open.
Hynes has been in incredible form since his move into the halves. His kicking game has evolved into a real weapon for the Sharks.
He probably should have made his Origin debut last year but 2022 looks like his year.
At the very least Hynes will be in the squad somewhere. Whether or not he makes his actual debut is 50-50 right now but he couldn't have done much more to this stage to put his name in lights.
