Maroons pick for game 1

BY ALF WILSON

Torres Strait Islanders David Fifita and Hamiso “Hammer”

Tabuai-Fidow have been named in the run on side, with Reuben Cotter on the interchange bench, in the Queensland Maroons team for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series against the New South Wales Blues.

The clash will be held at Adelaide Oval next Wednesday.

The Maroons will be coached by former Melbourne Storm champion fullback Billy Slater and NSW by Brad Fittler.

David will line up in the second row, Hammer in the centres and Reuben as a fresh forward from the bench.

A notable exclusion was Newcastle Knights centre Dane Gagai, who has served Queensland well in past series.

Dane played 21 times for the Maroons between 2015 and 2022, scoring 12 tries.

He has also represented Australia on seven occasions at Test level.

Hammer normally plays at fullback for his NRL side the Redcliffe Dolphins, but will give the Maroons plenty of attacking options in the centres beside Cowboys superstar Valentine Holmes.

Ironically Hammer, who has played once for the Maroons in the past, has shown such good NRL form that he nudged Gagai out of his usual centre position.

At 21 years old, Hammer has the “key in the door” for a long representative career.

BY ALF WILSON

The NRL’s David Fifita (Badu), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Alex Johnston (Saibai), Reuben Cotter (Boigu/ Darnley), Sebastian Kris (Mabuiag), Dane Gagai (Iama) and Ezra Mam were all acknowledged for where they came from in the lead up to last weekend’s Indigenous Round 12.

Unfortunately all their teams lost.

Hammer Strong

Classy Hamiso TabuaiFidow was in good form when his Dolphins lost 24-16 to highly rated Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Fullback “Hammer” passed to

He has scored 10 tries for the Dolphins this season.

At just 23-years-old, David is a potential matchwinner with his barnstorming runs.

He has represented the Maroons five times between 2019 and 21 and makes a welcome return after not taking part last year.

Fourteen players who represented the Maroons during last year’s 2-1 series victory have been selected in the 19-man squad.

The sole debutant for the Maroons is Reece Walsh, who won the race for the fullback position following his impressive form for the Broncos.

Reece replaces last year’s fullback Kalyn Ponga.

The Queensland side is:

1: Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), 2: Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos), 3: Valentine Holmes (North Queensland Cowboys), 4: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), 5: Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), 6: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), 7: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles), 8: Thomas Flegler (Brisbane Broncos), 9: Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons), 10: Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), 11. Tom Gilbert (Dolphins),

12: David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans),

13: Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Interchange – 14: Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), 15: Tino

Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans),

16: Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), 17: winger Jamayne Isaako who scored in the 13th minute. Hammer had a major role in another Dolphins try by former Kiwis international Kodi Nikorima.

Jai Arrow (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Reserves – 18: Tom Dearden (Cowboys), 19: Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm).

He told commentators he carried the Saibai Island totem with him before games.

Star Storm hooker Harry Grant revealed his boots were painted for the round by an unnamed Thursday Island artist.

The Storm were equal first with the Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Broncos, leading the table on 16 points with only for and against percentage separating them. The Dolphins and Raiders were next on 14 points. Dolphins host the Dragons at Kayo Stadium on Thursday