Out with the old, in with the new. An expression as old as time set to work wonders for Queensland ahead of their must-win game against New South Wales. And Coen Hess should be front and centre to lead the charge.
The young Cowboy scored his 10th try in just 14 games this season on Saturday, putting an exclamation point on why he is an absolute must for the Maroons. Despite being only 20 years old, Hess has already bypassed teammate Ethan Lowe and one-time Maroon Gavin Cooper for a Queensland call-up.
There is no doubting the Maroon’s era of dominance over New South Wales, which has seen then claim 10 of the 11 series, is coming to the end. This season marks the last time mastermind Jonathan Thurston will pull on the maroon jersey, while elder statesman Nate Myles, Jacob Lillyman and Sam Thaiday are all nearing the end of the road.
Fellow rep stars Greg Inglis and Matt Scott both have question marks over their future following knee reconstructions, while it’s unclear whether Cooper Cronk will play on in 2018.
But fear not Queenslanders, because there is a young brigade ready to carry the Maroon flag into a new era of dominance.
Coen Hess is expected to move onto the interchange bench in Game II, along with Jarrod Wallace who is set to slot into Nate Myles’ starting role. Thurston and Billy Slater will return to steady the ship, but their age brings hope to a crop of youngsters waiting for their crack at representing their state.
Valentine Holmes is an incumbent winger for the Kangaroos, Korbin Sims is in career best form in Brisbane while Ashley Taylor will no doubt have a role to play in the future.
The Blues no doubt have an edge over the Maroons in the ‘new era’ chat. In the last four Origin games, New South Wales have debuted a whopping 10 players in comparison to the Maroons 4. Surnames like Trbojevic, Graham, Frizell, Moylan and Peats have all begun what is certain to be a long journey in the sport’s toughest arena.
Come June 21st, we mark the beginning of the journey for Coen Hess. For Jarrod Wallace. And the beginning of the end for Jonathan Thurston, as well celebrating the return of Billy Slater. Whether it’s enough to combat the likes of Andrew Fifita and James Tedesco is yet to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Well done Kevin Walters. Out with the old, in with the new. Unless you’re Billy Slater that is.
MY QUEENSLAND MAROONS SIDE FOR GAME II