Paul Gallen will be public enemy No.1 as Maroons aim for Origin redemption at Suncorp Stadium

YOU may think of him as Queensland's public enemy No.1. I think Paul Gallen's downfall has been his short fuse on the field.

Paul Gallen blows up

YOU may think of him as Queensland's public enemy No.1.

I think Paul Gallen's downfall has been his short fuse on the field.

He has tempered it a little over the years, but more than ever, after his punching of Nate Myles in Origin I, he is someone Queenslanders will love to hate.

Judging by the Queensland team's comments to the media after the game, they want to settle this on the scoreboard.

Gallen has played enough Origin to know there was going to be niggle. Over time, Myles has got under his skin.

Off the field, when Gallen tours with an Australian team, everyone gets on well with him and enjoys playing alongside him. I know I did.

He will be irked by walking into Suncorp Stadium on June 26 to what is going to be one of the more irate receptions a footballer has received there.

Gallen's snap decision to punch Myles was not a great idea, considering his team was up by 14 points and in control. If anything, it sparked up Queensland towards the end of a flat first half in which we seemed to lack some fire in the belly.

I think the right decision would have been to sin-bin Gallen for his punches on top of the swinging arm.

He got to stay on the field and Queensland were the team in that game disadvantaged by those punches.

While he still held his feet, Myles would've been dazed and for a period of time lost to the Queensland effort. I watched him from ground level - he wasn't the same for a while.

Origin is what it is - niggling and sledging sometimes, as well as the great skills from the players.

The players and referees see Origin as having a higher threshold for what is permissible in terms of foul play.

I don't mind having the rules stretched a little because it being different adds to the theatre of Origin. Fewer penalties to make the game flow is one of the elements I think helps make Origin.

As time goes on, not so many will accept there should be a big distinction between what is allowable in an Origin game and a NRL match when it comes to foul play. There will be a clean-up, same as the shoulder charge and the spear tackle are not part of the wider game anymore.

The Gallen punches will be talked about in the lead-up for Game Two and sets that up for plenty of fireworks.

The game needs to be mindful about the precedents set. In the modern world, sport is about being professional and being mindful of player welfare and setting an example for the next generation.

MAL Meninga is a loyal man and won't be too reactive to one loss when the selectors consider their team for the rematch. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same 17, fitness allowing.

Our go-forward wasn't great in Sydney. Our defence in the middle was poor early and it didn't get much better.

Maybe Ben Te'o or Corey Parker could earn a start in the next game to give us some mobility early.

I thought Queensland's bench players - Te'o, Parker, Matt Gillett and Chris McQueen - were outstanding.

Ben Hannant would have to prove himself if he can come back next weekend from injury.

On a fast pitch at Suncorp Stadium, mobility and offloads will be important.