Matters of state: Who will be the odd men out for the Maroons?

Ahead of this year's Ampol State of Origin Series kicking off, the Maroons have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal when it comes to in-form forwards. 

• Matters of state: Who replaces Nanai for Queensland?

Even following news of Josh Papalii's retirement from Origin, competition for spots in the pack is fierce, and a bunch of talent who in a different year might be near automatic selections, is going to end up watching on from home come kick-off in Game One. 

Assuming Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Patrick Carrigan, Kurt Capewell, Lindsay Collins and Felise Kaufusi are locked in options, along with Harry Grant or Ben Hunt on the bench, there are likely only a couple of spots for forwards still up for grabs. 

So who will be the odd men out in the Maroons' pack?

The incumbents

At the Rabbitohs Jai Arrow has bounced back from a frustrating six-week layoff with a hamstring injury to put in a string of impressive showings for the ladder leaders. 

Four of his six NRL games this year have come off the bench and he could fill a specialist role there for Queensland too, with an ability to play as both an edge and middle forward. 

Reuben Cotter enjoyed an excellent debut in Origin I last year, playing 80 minutes, topping the Maroons' tackle count and running for 134 metres, before a hamstring issue ruled him out of the remainder of the series. 

He has been a key figure in the Cowboys finding form again in recent weeks and has a strong case for selection in Billy Slater's side. 

Another who impressed in his Origin debut last season was Tom Gilbert, and the rugged middle has done his chances of earning another call up no harm by emerging as one of the Dolphins' best players through their opening 10 games, averaging 38 tackles and 125 metres. 

One of the breakout stars of the series last year, Jeremiah Nanai, will miss Game One due to suspension.

Contenders

After being overlooked for the 2022 series, Titans wrecking ball David Fifita has put himself back in the selection frame with a brilliant start to the year.

The 23-year-old has run for over 100 metres in every game he's played so far and twice surpassed the 200 metre mark, appearing to put behind him some past issues around consistency. 

Among the first props picked in recent years, Christian Welch now faces plenty of competition for a spot in the front row after missing last year through injury, but his cause has been boosted significantly by Papalii's decision to rule himself out of selection. 

While he's not a name many would have picked to be in this conversation at the start of the year, J'maine Hopgood has emerged as one of the NRL's breakout stars through the opening three months of the season. 

His tireless work ethic and ability to promote second phase has been a feature for the Eels so far, while he can also move seamlessly between the second row and middle forward positions. 

Despite having an injury disrupted season to date, towering North Queensland back-rower Heilum Luki has impressed across five games and has been earmarked as a future Origin player, with 30 NRL games to his name now. 

Also likely to be in the mix is Raiders lock Corey Horsburgh, who has enjoyed a big past month in a starting role for the Green Machine, while at the Dragons firebrand Jaydn Su'A could be another option, with the added bonus of having played four times for the Maroons between 2020-21.