Very few things in rugby league shock me now.
Given the season we've had, the games delayed due to snap lockdowns, the players allegedly attempting to sell speakers on E-Bay... I thought I'd seen it all.
Then today, Paul Green alerted Queensland officials that he would not be coaching the side next year, instead opting to "move in a different direction".
The same Paul Green who was sacked from a club he lead to a premiership. Their maiden premiership at that.
The very same Paul Green, who despite a plethora of criticism landed the job any Queensland youngster sees as their ultimate goal; to coach the Origin side.
A Paul Green who despite copping a record defeat, before a win in a dead rubber no one will remember, was offered the role again next season.
Only to say no...
So now attention turns to who will step up. Who will step up and face this almighty New South Wales side who delivered two defeats in the most destructive way on the biggest stage of them all?
Don't let a result in a dead rubber distract you, this was an absolute drubbing.
Below we look at the candidates most likely to take over and step up to the Origin plate in 2022. Let us know in the comments who you believe will be named the next coach of the QLD Maroons.
The man many expected to be handed the reigns before Green being announced for the top job is also the man I expect to be named as next coach.
The greatest fullback of the modern era, Billy Sater, was built for Origin. He helped deliver nine years of pain to those south of the Tweed as a player, and I'm not betting against him achieving success as a coach.
The story is that he was promised the role but then turned down the opportunity when that changed to an interview rather than an appointment.
I don't know if Queensland are looking for another short-term option. If they are, they shouldn't be.
Billy Slater could oversee a real overhaul of the system and deliver a long-term rebuild of the pathways and systems.
Billy Slater is a genius footballer and a brilliant commentator. I have no worries in the world that he would become an equally brilliant coach.
Surely the favourite at this time.
I'd even go so far as to say the QRL made an error in appointing Green over Slater.
Luckily for them they have a chance to right the wrong, perhaps?
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There's a certain, fairly successful coach, currently sitting without a role in 2022 and beyond.
A coach with experience, a winning record and oh... He may just be the best coach of the modern era and the same coach who broke up the Blues record run of wins.
Wayne Bennett, if interested, is surely the option. He knows how to win. He knows how to beat this NSW side.
I don't know what Bennett's plans are from 2022 and beyond. He may very well stay on at Souths in some role.
There's likely to be ten or so clubs reaching out to him or his agent if he declares his availability for next year.
It's looking likely that he will coach the next expansion side, should it go ahead as expected, but I can't see Bennett taking time off in the meantime.
A role that wouldn't consume every minute of every day yet one of extreme importance ... Makes a lot of sense.
Desperate times for call desperate measures.
I was shocked when the Walker brothers names came up before Paul Green was named. I can see some appeal.
Fresh ideas, new blood. A winning history, albeit at Queensland Cup level.
I'm a huge fan of the idea of the Walker Brothers coaching at the top level, but not at Origin level.
With everything going on in the world right now, international Rugby League is not a priority.
It was reported in August that the ARL would hand Mal Meninga a massive pay cut. To the tune of $250,000 to be exact.
Meninga is the most successful Origin coach in history. He oversaw the almost decade of dominance.
If anyone can return the state north of the Tweed to their former glory it's the man who best knows how to get it done. He holds the record for wins with 19, and the most series with nine.
I don't see the great man stepping down from his role at the Kangaroos in a World Cup year but there's every chance the ARL and QRL could come to an agreement if required to allow him to coach both.
There's even the possibility that a caretaker is named for 2022 to allow Meninga to focus purely on the end of year tournament, before taking up the role in 22.
Not ideal for QLD but would they be willing to take a season to allow for the most successful coach in Origin history to step back up? You bet.
