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Origin Watch: Queensland: The big talking points before Origin One

We’ve gone through all the hot topics for the Maroons.

Published by
Dan Nichols

We're now less than a week from the unveiling of both Origin sides.

Kevin Walters is hoping to announce a side that can wrestle the interstate shield back from the Blues but a combination of injuries and unavailability have made it difficult.

Walters may very well have his side laid out without question, but from the outside many questions remain.

We look at those below:

Where do you play Michael Morgan?

Michael Morgan will be there come Origin One, no argument. He's one of the game's elite players and would walk into pretty much every side in Rugby League.

The big question however is where to use the Cowboys ace.

Do you play him in his most comfortable position in the halves and pair him with Cam Munster or Dally Cherry-Evans?

Do you shift him to the centres, where he has done an amazing job at Origin level in the past, to cover a potential weakness in the Maroon line up?

Do you position him as the ace up the Maroon sleeve by naming him on the bench and injecting him into the game wherever needed?

There's a line of thought that he could even play fullback and shift Ponga to a free role such as he held in last years series.

If DCE is fit, he and Munster are the halves in my view. Again, there's a line of thinking that Munster may shift out wide as a better defender than Morgan, with the very real chance of having to mark the game's best centre in Latrell Mitchell.

In my mind you have to run with the best halves combo possible and that is Dally M leading Munster and Dally Cherry-Evans.

Morgan should start at centre. He's one of the game's elite footballers and will handle the switch with class and could prove to be a weapon out wide.

If DCE isn't passed fit, he's the best option at halfback.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Michael Morgan of the Cowboys makes a break during the round 24 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on August 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Hunt, half or hooker (or bench)?:

Where Morgan ends up could have a potential affect on where Dragons star Ben Hunt plays. The fitness of Dally Cherry-Evans will absolutely play a role in deciding where Hunt plays.

If DCE is fit, then Morgan plays centres and Hunt starts at hooker, or possibly off the bench.

Hunt showed some incredible form in early 2019 and although that has tapered off quite a bit as of late, there is no doubt Hunt is pencilled in to play some role in Maroon.

He may play halfback if DCE is unavailable and Walters can't find a centre option better than Morgan.

Unfortunately Hunt was overawed in Origin last year as the halfback and has played his best rep footy to date coming off the bench to fill in at nine.

I see that happening here if Walters runs with Jake Granville or looks at Josh McGuire to start in the number nine jumper.

It's now looking more likely that McGuire will start in nine with Hunt coming in after 20/25 minutes to provide a spark.

That's exactly the way I'd go. I'd much rather be looking at a DCE/Morgan and Munster combo with Hunt at nine after 20 minutes.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Ben Hunt passes the ball during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at Sanctuary Cove on July 5, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Do the Maroons accept and move on from Cam?:

If I were a Queenslander I would be really worried about all the talk of trying to coax Cameron Smith out of retirement.

Don't get me wrong, with Jake Friend out, Cam Smith is by far the desired option, but he's retired from rep footy and has already stated in the media he's not returning to the Origin arena.

Why should he? He has nothing left to prove and looks younger now than in years gone by without 240 minutes of ridiculously high paced action.

Will QLD ultimately convince their best ever number nine to save the day, or can they accept that he's hung up his boots and move on?

The McGuire/Hunt option is far from tedious and looks pretty strong in my mind.

A Hunt/Granville combo has merit but I don't see the Cowboys rake holding the form to demand selection.

There could always be a left field option unearthed but with just days before Origin One selection, it's time to move on.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Cameron Smith of the Maroons celebrates victiry after game three of the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Who is the new 'Val'?:

He may 'only' be a winger for the NFL hopeful has ruled the Origin arena for the past few seasons.

He was the different in 2017 and almost won a game on his own back in 2018 when the Blues looked set for a huge victory.

Corey Oates is a brilliant player but lacks the flair and skill of Holmes. He's more dangerous in the air and can finish from anywhere, but Holmes had X Factor I just don't see in the potential QLD back line.

QLD's wingers have long provided a huge advantage. They still might but Addo-Carr looks to be the new Val out wide.

QLD need to find a new point of difference.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Valentine Holmes of Maroons makes a break to score a try during game three of the State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Published by
Dan Nichols