Shane Muriata

WITH the 2023 State of Origin series opener only a few weeks away, it's time as a footy lover of our great state to get our team together and figure out who and where our players should go.

Being the greatest Fullback of all time should be enough knowledge for our coach Billy Slater to gather his thoughts on our final squad. In saying that, we still have a few positions in the air, which is always a selection dilemma for couch coaches.

With all due respect to Broncos gun Reece Walsh having a breakout season in the number one jersey, the Fullback should be Kaylin Ponga. He proved in the last few series that he can deliver, and his ball-playing skills out the back are our go-to if the middle fails. We usually repay the faith by selecting those who have done it in the past for us, and Kaylin should be the exception to the rule.

The wingers basically pick themselves in GI-reborn Selwyn Cobbo and Origin specialist Val Holmes, who is also our goal kicker. Our 3 and 4 would be Dane Gagai from the Knights, and my bolter would be Hamiso Tabuai, who can easily play fullback wing when needed. I have Hammer there because he can cover on the run, and he deserves a spot after his start with the Phone.

Daley Cherry Evan will once again Captain the Maroons from the number 7, but this will be his last series as skipper cause I believe that the time is now for Cameron Munster to take over. Munster is what the

State of Origin is all about, unpredictability, rawness and playing for the love of the game, not to mention he's crazy. The big stage is what he loves, and you can bet this dude will have you talking about it like your favourite KFC burger deal.

I've got Tully boy Thomas Flegler to start in the Front Row, and my prop is the silent but deadly Christian Welch of the Storms. Cowboys Rubin Cotter and Jai Arrow will make it a mongrel, no-nonsense pack in the Back and Second Rows, with Patty Carrigan locking the scrum with his workaholic-like engine.

Ben Hunt is our hooker simply because he's been the best player in the last four series, and maybe that try last year to win made me love him all over again, and he's forgiven for the 2015 GF.

The bench is essential for the run-on players, so we want energy and a continuation of the work already done.

Harry Grant will bring that. He's quick, smart and loves lazy forwards. Expect fireworks when he comes on.

Lindsey Collins will bring size, the perfect foil for Welch, so we will keep everything when they swap.

If there was a time for redemption, this 2023 edition is the time, so I'm willing to throw one to Cowboys forward Coen Hess. Sure, he's been a bit of a loose cannon, but that's what we need at Origin, a Tallis-like fire bomb who'll be ready for anything, whether it's in the rules or not.

The last spot I will give to is the wonder kid Reece Walsh. A player like that has to be rewarded, so you don't start him but have him there so he can get a feel of the game. He can cover numerous positions and will definitely break the game open if we need an ace in the deck to trump anything the Blues may have. No one will see his injection into the game coming, so he'll have that surprise element.