We are now just weeks away from Origin One and NSW eligible players are dropping like flies.
Latrell Mitchell has long been ruled out while Ryan Papenhuyzen's recent injury has robbed him of a near certain Origin debut.
Origin mainstay Cameron Murray joins the aforementioned stars in the casualty ward following a serious injury. He was certain to run out for the Blues on June 8th.
Murray's loss will be someone else's game, with both Origin second row spots up for grabs.
Looking at the list of names there are plenty of options but I certainly wouldn't want to be in Brad Fittler's shoes come selection.
Below are the players most likely to run out to represent New South Wales in the Series opener in Sydney.
The most obvious of straight swaps is bringing in Roosters superstar Angus Crichton. Murray, when in the second row, and Crichton play a similar game.
They are both big minute, high impact players with true try-scoring potential.
Crichton has played the full 80 minutes for each of the five performances prior to this being compiled. He seems to have put a short stint on the interchange bench behind him.
The Roosters superstar is actually more experienced in the rep arena than Murray, although he did only play 41 and 29 minutes in his 2021 Origin appearances.
Crichton probably hasn't delivered to his greatest potential yet in the Sky Blue, but if he's given the starting spot I expect 2022 to be the year.
There's always the chance that Chrichton may have been picked to run on in front of Murray but even if the reverse was to be true, you won't lose much with the Temora-born star.
The other obvious choice is the man who joined Crichton on the bench in Origin Three last year, Panthers star Liam Martin.
If you asked me right now who I am naming in the Origin second row, then Martin's name is right there. No further thought needed.
Martin is built for the Origin arena. He's aggressive, rarely loses a battle and has performed well in this arena previously. Plus his familiarity with the likely Origin halves Cleary and Luai is a big plus.
The only concern I have is Martin's missed tackle count. I actually had to triple check as I can't remember the Panthers bulldozer missing many tackles but stats do not lie.
The seven, five and nine misses in his past three games don't make for good reading but this can often be a misleading stat.
Otherwise though, I'm running Martin out beside his club halves all day long.
Tariq Sims played a big part as a run on second-rower in the Blues' 2021 series win.
Strangely, the Dragons seemed to shop their wide running weapon to multiple clubs during the 2021 off-season. They've also allowed him to move to Melbourne for 2023 onward.
The fact Sims isn't currently running out for the Red V and is playing a part-time role from the bench probably sees him fall down the pecking order.
That's not to say that Sims wouldn't do the job just fine of course.
Sims is averaging 51 and a half minutes, which is about what he'll likely need to produce at Origin level, so there's nothing to suggest he couldn't run out.
My only fear is that if the Dragons brass don't rate him as a run on second-rower over Jack Bird and Jack Gosiewski, it says he probably isn't in the Origin discussion.
After missing out on last year's Origin Series through injury, Newcastle's Tyson Frizell will be keen to feature in yet another Origin tilt.
Frizell is back into the Knights setup after missing two weeks through injury. A couple of big performances over the next fortnight and Frizell is surely playing yet another Origin.
Averaging over 100 metres per game and tackling at almost 95%, Frizell's numbers are perfect for the brutality of Origin.
The Knights superstar has enjoyed a brilliant Origin career to date. Even in defeat he was often in the Blues' best forwards.
Frizell never lets anyone down, tackles as though his career depends on it and can find the try line.
I would be shocked if he is not named somewhere in the squad but right now I'd be leaning toward partnering Frizell with Liam Martin as the run on second rowers.
If the Blues want to stray from the tried and tested options that they've run out in the past, then surely the Sea Eagles youngster is the go.
Straight up I want to see Olakau'atu picked for Origin One. I would much rather see him run out over teammate Jake Trbojevic. He offers so much more right now.
Origin One, in front of 80,000 home fans, is the perfect opportunity to blood the firebrand.
In his eight games he has five tries, four line-breaks and tackles at 93%.
I'd be playing him from the bench, but if Fittler wants to send out a young player to tear in, then Olakau'atu is the only option.
As a Queensland second-rower I would not want to see the 111kg 23-year-old running at me with every inch of his being.
Can you imagine Olakau'atu with the adrenalin of 80,000 in blue cheering his every move?
I still think blooding a debutant from the bench is the go, but part of me wants to see the youngster unleashed over the more experienced options listed.