How injury blows have impacted Maroons Origin forward stocks

Teams for the 2024 Ampol State of Origin series might not be named until May, but there's no shortage of questions being asked about the Maroons' forward pack after their injury-affected start to the year.

Two certainties for Game One in Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Tom Gilbert are both out of contention after ACL injuries ended their season, while a third forward in Cowboy Coen Hess – who was part of the Queensland set-up in 2021 – also suffered an ACL blow.

Maroons mainstay Jai Arrow (shoulder) hasn't played since South Sydney's Round 1 loss in Las Vegas, while other contenders like Heilum Luki and Corey Horsburgh have been limited with their minutes through the first six rounds.

Speaking at the official launch of this year’s series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Maroons coach Billy Slater acknowledged the injuries that will affect his possible line-up. 

"First and foremost, I feel for the players who have worked really hard for this team like Tino, Jai Arrow; Tom Gilbert’s another one that is out for the season," Slater said.

"Jai hasn’t played since Round 1 and there is doubt if he’ll play again this year, hopefully he does recover.

"For Tino and Tom, they are going to miss the entire series, they are going to miss the entire season.

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"I understand how much they put into their careers, I understand how much they put into their footy and that want and desire to be part of Queensland.

"With injury comes opportunity and there’s enough players there that will get an opportunity in the absence of those guys."

Origin locked-in

Overall, Queensland are still well serviced on the edges with the likes of Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai and Eels lock J'maine Hopgood in good form. David Fifita is back from injury and has Origin in his sights, as does his Titans teammate Beau Fermor who has never shied away from his goal to be selected in the future as well.

However, it’s up front that the Maroons have suffered the biggest losses to injury.

Currently, Tom Flegler - who himself is recovering from an AC joint injury - alongside Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter are in the box seat to be main middle forwards in contention with Pat Carrigan at lock, meaning Slater will potentially be looking to have one more bigger body on the bench.

Plenty of names have been thrown into the mix, including by Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich who shared his support for teammate Josh Kerr, while other props who have featured in the side previously and are fit and remain in contention include Moeaki Fotuaika and Joe Ofahengaue.

Past servants also haven’t been forgotten in the overarching forwards picture, with players like Christian Welch, Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi (who is currently nursing a hamstring injury) all named in the extended squad earlier this year.

Queensland selector Darren Lockyer was also looking to the silver lining for the Maroons, noting the state had ample forward depth at their disposal. 

“It's not ideal having a couple of injuries, but there's plenty of guys out there that can step up if given the opportunity,” Lockyer said. “One door closes for a couple of key players for us, but another door opens for some others.

“There's plenty, and I know Billy has been out there having conversations with those guys already. Whoever gets the jersey will deserve it and they'll step up.”

“Numbers, ages; they are irrelevant to be honest," Slater said earlier this year at a pre-season camp for the extended Maroons squad.

"It’s more about actions and what habits you have in your game and what you are all about as a footballer and a person, and that’s what we look at."

Queensland and New South Wales will pick their teams for Game One of the 2024 Ampol State of Origin series at the conclusion of Round 12.