Wednesday Night, Suncorp Stadium
It's Origin time!
Everyone's favourite time of the year has arrived as the famous colours of Queensland and New South Wales go head to head at Suncorp Stadium tonight in game one of this famous best of three series.
Queensland's recent dominance needs no introduction, however, the 2017 series kicks off with the Blues installed as favourites with the Maroons missing a host of big names.
Greg Inglis and Matt Scott are out for the season through injury while champion five-eighth Johnathan Thurston will miss game one through injury.
This presents Broncos star Anthony Milford to represent his state for the first time, something that Blues coach Laurie Daley will no doubt keep in mind.
The cauldron of Origin is something like no other, with the physicality and pressure on show from the moment the players walk out of the tunnel.
The Maroons - typically - have rewarded loyalty to their players with Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman all having sub-par seasons with their respective clubs but still selected by coach Kevin Walters because they understand what it takes to hold up the Origin shield.
On the flip side, the Blues have picked players who are in form with their club sides including the likes of Mitchell Pearce - whose dismal Origin record is on display for all to see - Nathan Peats and Jake Trbojevic, the latter of whom has starred for the Sea Eagles in 2017.
The past two Origin openers have been decided by a combined three points - with both results going the way of the Maroons, a telling note to remember should this one go down to the wire.
Cronulla's game plan in last season's grand final has been much talked about in the build-up to tonight, as they managed to nullify Cooper Cronk's influence while wearing down the impact of captain Cameron Smith - who will play in his 40th Origin match tonight.
Both are proven match winners, however, and with Thurston sitting in the stands tonight, expect both to feature heavily. Cronk will shoulder much of the kicking and play-making load, with debutant Milford given the chance to put his ball-playing talents on show in front of his home crowd.
For the Blues, Pearce is in the form of his life, and should the game be in the balance with 10 minutes remaining, expect the reformed halfback to be calling for the ball.
The Blues will win need to win the battle down the middle if they're a chance to take the early lead in this series, with Andrew Fifita, Josh Jackson and captain Boyd Cordner expected to shoulder much of that load against the tried and tested Maroons pack of Myles, Matt Gillett and Dylan Napa.
New South Wales will no doubt be the side to throw the ball around more as they look to break open the well-structured Maroons. The omissions from Queensland's squad has put them as the outsiders in the eyes of the bookies, but this well-drilled side may prove too much to crack in a situation they're all too familiar with.
Maroons by 2.