The fallout from the Blues horror Origin One loss will continue as squads are selected for the second game of the series.
Debutant Joseph Suaalii's awfully mistimed tackle saw him dismissed and suspended for four games. This rules him out of the do or die clash in Melbourne.
Michael Maguire would have liked to have had as many options available heading into the must win game, but his first choice right centre will miss the game.
Luckily though, there are some pretty handy options ready to put their hand up if called upon.
Below are five such options. We see four options who would join the squad and a fifth that would see a switch. More on that later.
Who would you be naming to run out at centre for Game Two?:
After making himself unavailable and then available again for the Origin opener, Latrell Mitchell has made a case that he simply cannot be overlooked this time around.
I see it as simply as this; if Latrell is fit, pick him!
This is a must win game for the Blues and to beat this QLD side Michael Maguire must pick as many big game players as possible.
I fully concede that Trell's form has been shaky this season. That said, since returning from suspension he has been blistering.
He's big, his quick, he's aggressive and he's won Origin games and Grand Finals on his own back.
This is a risk, make no mistake. Mitchell can be "got".
Opposition players can target him, needle him. He's not beyond reacting. Then there's the risk of defending in the line.
Mitchell has played fullback for the majority of the past few seasons. Yes, he has an extensive run at centre, but not for a while.
I just cannot overlook his match winning performances in recent Origin games.
When the Blues ran out a centre pairing of 'Trell and Turbo' they were as close to unbeatable as you can be in Origin.
Unfortunately that combination hasn't been available for selection since.
To win this game and keep the series alive, I feel Maguire needs to take a calculated risk.
Latrell Mitchell could very well be that answer.
The Sharks metre eater was reportedly in contention for the first game.
With Suaalii's right centre spot now available, the Sharks right centre could very easily slot in.
Averaging 156 metres a game for the Sharks this year, he would fit the mould of what is required for the Blues.
Ramien outpointed Kotoni Staggs, easily, this past Saturday night in what many saw as a straight shootout between the two.
Weighing heavily in his favour was the fact he also took Selwynn Cobbo to ask. Cobbo was electric for the Maroons at centre in Game One having been injected via the bench in a shift.
Ramien is ticking a lot of boxes and I have no concerns if he was to earn a maiden Origin call up.
Let me be clear in saying there is no chance in the world I would be moving Zac Lomax from the wing spot, but there is an option worth considering.
That comes in the form of the Bulldogs monster, tackle breaking winger in Jacob Kiraz.
Lomax was amongst the Blues best in the series opener and I'm firmly on the belief his best footy comes on the wing, but Kiraz has been breathtaking in recent weeks.
A Lomaz/Kiraz outside back pairing is very similar to the Suaalii/Lomax pairing picked for Game One.
If Maguire wants to employ similar tactics, he may go for a like for like replacement.
Kiraz could also play in the centres but if this is in his thinking, you'd have to imagine Lomax shifts one in.
If Bradman Best had been available for Game One, he plays. At least in my opinion.
A horribly timed injury (not that there's ever a good time) saw him ruled out of the opener.
Best has one game, against the might of the Penrith Panthers, to press his claim for a recall.
The Knights wrecking ball was almost perfect in his Origin debut in 2023. It was a 'dead rubber' with the series already having been decided but Best did everything he could to make that spot his long-term.
Best could slot in on his preferred left edge with Crichton shifting to the right.
It would break up the former Panther combo but would allow Crichton to play the side he fills at club level.
This would probably be the easiest replacement as it would allow everyone to play in their club role.
Plus Crichton and Lomax sured up that side once the Dogs star was shifted. This despite being a man down.
My feeling is that Staggs was in the mix until last Saturday night.
The former Blue lost his one on one battle with rookie Kayal Iro, whilst Jesse Ramien was dominant on the other right edge.
Staggs would do the job. He has before and he's a rep quality centre.
That said, right now, he's probably not genuinely in discussions.
Latrell Mitchell. In a heart beat!
If Trell fails to fire or pulls up lame after Friday's clash with the Broncos, then the real discussion starts.
Bradman Best slotting right back into the spot which he dominated in Game Three last year makes all the sense in the world.
With everyone available, this should be an easy decision for the new Blues coach .. Latrell Mitchell come on down!