How Queensland Maroons shape up for State of Origin III

Fullback: Reece Walsh

Age: 22

Origins: 4

Origin tries: 0

Walsh is yet to make a mark in this year's series after he was knocked senseless in game one by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and played just seven minutes. Was well contained in game two, but the stage is set for him in the decider to combine with Kalyn Ponga when the defence is tired.

Winger: Selwyn Cobbo

Age: 22

Origins: 5

Origin tries: 2

Cobbo was rested for game two after shining off the bench in Sydney in the series opener. His size, explosiveness and skill make him a weapon. Played in the 2022 decider, but was knocked out cold in the early minutes.

Centre: Dane Gagai

Age: 33

Origins: 22

Origin tries: 12

In 2017 Gagai became the only winger to win the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. Grows an extra arm and leg when he wears the Maroons jersey, and gets his first Origin match since 2022.

Centre: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Age: 22

Origins: 6

Origin tries: 9

The man known as "Hammer" has already scored four tries this series and with one more will equal Maroons great Lote Tuqiri's five tries in a series in 2002. On track to be the greatest Origin try-scorer in history with his current strike rate.

Winger: Valentine Holmes

Age: 28

Origins: 18

Origin tries: 13

Holmes has switched from centre to wing for the decider after struggling to contain Latrell Mitchell at the MCG. There is no Mitchell this time, but Holmes has been moved to a position where he has been a revelation in the past and should adapt with ease.

Five-eighth: Tom Dearden

Age: 23

Origins: 3

Origin tries: 0

Dearden has fond memories of the 2022 decider at Suncorp, where he made his debut in a famous win. In the side due to the absence of injured Cameron Munster, this is a huge game for the North Queensland co-captain, who has Sydney Roosters playmaker Sam Walker nipping at his heels for future Origin series.

Halfback: Daly Cherry- Evans

Age: 35

Origins: 24

Origin tries: 2

Cherry-Evans is yet to announce whether this will be his last Origin game, but his form suggests the Maroons skipper could easily play on in 2025 and become the oldest Origin player in history. A win on Wednesday night would be his fourth series victory as captain and elevate him to a place among Origin greats.

Prop: Reuben Cotter

Age: 25

Origins: 6

Origin tries: 0

Cotter was below his best in Melbourne after announcing himself last year as a Maroons must-pick by winning the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. A warrior who plays well above what his size would suggest is possible for a modern-day prop.

Hooker: Ben Hunt

Age: 34

Origins: 19

Origin tries: 5

The veteran St George-Illawarra half will join an elite band of Maroons to be awarded the FOGS Dick "Tosser'' Turner Medal for playing 20 Origin games for his state. Hunt is another with fond memories of the 2022 decider, where his late runaway try sealed the deal.

Prop: Lindsay Collins

Age: 28

Origins: 11

Origin tries: 0

The Sydney Roosters front-rower has a reputation for making the big plays in the big moments and a track record of doing all the "one percenters" in the grind that go unnoticed by all but his teammates. A prop forward who makes every play count, from the first minute until the last.

Second-row: Kurt Capewell

Age: 31

Origins: 10

Origin tries: 2

The veteran back-rower has been brought in to provide solidity and grit to the edge defence, an area of weakness in game two. Capewell is also a great support player and is versatile enough to play centre if there is an injury.

Second-row: Jeremiah Nanai

Age: 21

Origins: 7

Origin tries: 2

Nanai is a rampaging ball runner and an expert at snaffling bombs with his leaping ability and giant hands. Last year he revealed that coach Billy Slater had asked him to improve his defensive efforts, and that area of his play will be crucial in the decider.

Lock: Patrick Carrigan

Age: 26

Origins: 8

Origin tries: 0

The Broncos No.13 is one of the game's leading forwards who has speed and a heap of skill. It is his physical presence that has been a highlight in Queensland's best wins and will be again at Suncorp Stadium.

Bench: Harry Grant

Age: 26

Origins: 10

Origin tries: 1

The Melbourne captain was below his best in the opening two Origin matches, but has fired in deciders at Suncorp Stadium in the past. Can come on and change a game with his speed and guile, as he did in 2020 on debut.

Bench: Moeaki Fotuaika

Age: 24

Origins: 8

Origin tries: 0

The Gold Coast prop does his job with vim and vigour, but needs to go above and beyond with the Maroons missing his Titans teammate Tino Fa'asuamaleaui due to injury for the entire series.

Bench: Felise Kaufusi

Age: 32

Origins: 16

Origin tries: 2

The enforcer of the side who has a history of making big hits against the best in the Origin cauldron. Kaufusi will relish the pressure of the occasion with his proven big-game experience under pressure.

Bench: Kalyn Ponga

Age: 26

Origins: 7

Tries: 1

Ponga is the ace in the pack that the Maroons have played for the decider. The Newcastle skipper could easily have started at No.1, but has only recently returned from a lengthy break with a foot injury. A game-breaker who has absolute belief in his ability.

18th man: Trent Loiero

Age: 23

Origins: 0

Tries: 0

Australian Associated Press