Brad Fittler has named his Origin I squad, and more importantly, his starting 17 and wow has it thrown up some big talking points.
We have players on debut, Dally M winners relegated, stars dropped and a shock decision or two.
Below is the full breakdown for the New South Wales Game I Origin side. Keep an eye out for a full preview and prediction early next week.
Brian To'o: Simply impossible to ignore. To'o has been wrecking defences for fun all season long.
Averaging 245 metres per game, the Blues will look to the 22-year-old to bash them out of their own end. A ridiculous 73 tackle breaks will have the Maroons wider men and middles alike prepared for a tough night.
Winger
Tries
All Run Metres
Tackles Made
Liam Martin: Imagine defending for 25/30 minutes before looking up and seeing a fresh Liam Martin running onto the field. No thank you.
Martin's no-nonsense style screams Origin. Look for a short, impactful burst before halftime and a 15 minute stint after to bruise up the QLD middle pack.
Jarome Luai: I am so happy Luai has been chosen. As we'll discuss further below, his partnership with Nathan Cleary is worth its weight in gold.
His form has been ridiculous considering his relative inexperience and I am looking forward to seeing him rip in. The perfect Origin player.
The halves pairing.
The Blues have been absolutely blessed by being able to name the two form halves in the competition right now. It's absolutely incredible that they just so happen to also be teammates.
Nathan Cleary is leading the Dally M count and is undoubtedly the form player of the competition. Luai is having a magical season and would be leading the count if he wasn't losing so many points to his first receiver.
They have a partnership and understanding at rep level that simply cannot be matched. They've lost one game when paired together in over a year. That rests massively on their combined shoulders.
There's also the added advantage that Cleary will likely have Martin beside him for at least half the game while Luai's combination with Brian To'o is also on show.
Watch the Origin squads broken down on Rugby League Outlaws
Injuries and suspensions have denied the Blues their first-choice second rowers. Angus Crichton and Tyson Frizell were certain to be named but are unavailable. As too is former captain Boyd Cordner.
Cameron Murray is an Origin certainty, however, I believe his best role is in the middle. He went missing for the Bunnies when shifted out wide under Wayne Bennett but returned to his monster best when back at 13.
With all due respect to Tariq Sims, I didn't have him in my top six or seven options. I thought they'd go for Tevita Pangai Jr, especially after he bodied David Fifita just a few weeks ago. Ryan Matterson was also an option.
Martin has been named on the bench after a brilliant season as a half. Full disclosure I had him above Sims also and believe he should start, although Sims starting week-to-week dictates the obvious move is probably best.
I don't know if it's a weakness so to speak but Felise Kaufusi and David Fifita are huge weapons for the Maroons and will certainly enjoy an advantage in the second row.
Clint Gutherson: The big casualty from last year's horror series is the King. Truthfully I don't think you can pick him anywhere but fullback so I agree with this, however his form has been incredible all season and he has been overlooked for two fullbacks turned centres. I'm shocked he wasn't named 18th-man.
Fullback
Tries
Try Assists
Tackle Breaks
Tevita Pangai Jr: He really firmed into contention over the past few weeks, especially when Angus Crichton was ruled out by the judiciary. He absolutely towelled up direct opponent David Fifita in the Broncos' recent game against the Titans. I'm shocked he wasn't picked but his form over the past fortnight has dipped. Still, unlucky.
Daniel Tupou: Arguably the most unlucky player overlooked is the Roosters giant. He was among the Blues best last year and is enjoying a brilliant 2021 season. He was purely overlooked due to it being impossible to ignore the form of Brian To'o and simply couldn't have done much else to be considered. He's first cab off the rank.
Fittler has named a strong squad capable of winning this series. The one player named who has drawn questions is Tariq Sims who I didn't even consider close to being selected.
I believe Freddy has named the obvious back five while the halves pairing is absolutely perfect. Damien Cook has been a weapon for the Blues and deserves his spot.
Jack Wighton on the bench is a strange one given the amount of quality forwards available, however, Wighton can cover so many positions he really is the perfect 14.
No shocks here. Latrell Mitchell grabs the open centre spot ahead of Stephen Crichton/Campbell Graham/Clinton Gutherson, which provides NSW with yet another weapon out wide.
You can't complain here. The aforementioned Sims selection really only came about due to Crichton and Frizell being unavailable and Sims could very well go out and dominate. He certain has the skills and size.
Tommy Turbo is a massive inclusion and could very well go a long way to deciding the series result.
Fittler has done everything asked of him and has named a squad that will enter Game I as favourites.