Brisbane's top spine players have one final opportunity to secure their spots in the Queensland State of Origin team when the Broncos face the Warriors on Sunday.
High Stakes for Key Players
Fullback Reece Walsh, five-eighth Ezra Mam, and utility Ben Hunt will all feature for the Broncos against the Warriors, just hours before Maroons selectors convene to finalise their 19-man squad for the State of Origin series opener on May 27 in Sydney.
Brisbane's recent poor form has not helped the trio's cause. The Broncos have lost their last two matches, including a 32-4 defeat to Manly last week. Hunt, 36, played only that game after returning from a knee injury.
Smith's Surprise Selection
Maroons legend Cameron Smith did not include any of the three in his Queensland team, as revealed on the Nine Network's 100% Footy on Monday night. In a surprising move, Smith preferred Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga over Walsh at fullback.
Walsh is the current Test fullback but missed the opening two matches of last year's Origin series due to injury, returning only as 18th man for the decider.
Reece Walsh has one final club chance to impress Queensland head coach Billy Slater.
New Bench Options
The introduction of a six-man bench for Origin opens up additional selection possibilities for Mam and Hunt. Mam was part of the Maroons extended squad last year but has yet to make his Origin debut, while Hunt has played 20 games for Queensland, the last in game three of 2024.
An ankle injury to halfback Tom Dearden has created a vacancy in the halves, but both Hunt and Mam are more likely to be selected on the bench.
Neither player performed well against the Sea Eagles, but both have strong credentials. Mam was outstanding in the 2025 grand final when he came off the bench to make a significant impact for the Broncos, while Hunt is a proven Origin performer.
Hunt's Optimism
"You're always hopeful," Hunt said. "I've been out for a while and had a pretty ordinary game on the weekend so I've got to get back and play some good footy for the Broncs. Every time you get picked to play in that Maroons side you pinch yourself. If that happened again I'd be very grateful."
Dearden's Replacement Options
Dearden's replacement could be Sam Walker or his Sydney Roosters halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans. Former Maroons captain Cherry-Evans was dropped by Slater after game one last year but remains a proven campaigner.
Hunt believes Walker is ready for an Origin debut. "I don't see why not. He's playing some really good footy for the Roosters, him and Chez both," Hunt said. "It's like Tommy (Dearden) last year. A lot of people didn't think he was up for it, and he got the opportunity and was our best player. Sammy's a good little player and if he got the opportunity, I think he'd stand up."
