State of Origin: Queensland Maroons top 30 players ranked after series win
Queensland’s scary depth should be ringing alarm bells in NSW. We rank the top-30 Maroons, including several young guns ready to take Origin by storm and retain the shield for years.
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Queensland, beautiful one day, Blues bogeymen the next.
The Maroons once again defied the odds - and a huge disadvantage in terms of playing depth - to pull off a Blues boilover in the Suncorp decider last Wednesday night which denied NSW a fourth series win in five years.
Queensland coach Billy Slater had a band of heroes throughout the series but who is the Maroons’ true MVP? The Sunday Mail’s State of Origin experts PETER BADEL and TRAVIS MEYN crunched the numbers to unveil Queensland’s top 30.
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1. Ben Hunt
Queensland’s top dog. Will be seen as a shock choice to some but Hunt’s Origin record is formidable - he has won the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland’s best and fairest in two of the past three seasons. Throw in another outstanding 2022 campaign, headlined by his 70-metre try to seal the Suncorp decider, and Hunt is the heartbeat of the Maroons.
2. Cameron Munster
Unlucky to miss top spot, Munster was marvellous in Origin I and scored a try in Perth, but his scratching for the decider didn’t prove to be fatal, as many expected.
3. Kalyn Ponga
Played his first full series this year after a tough run with injuries and came of age as an Origin matchwinner in the Suncorp decider. One of the few Queensland players in the current side with true X-factor.
4. Daly Cherry-Evans
The Maroons skipper led his team superbly all series, particularly in Sydney and Brisbane. When Queensland needed a calming hand, “DCE” stepped up to the plate and guided them home. A well-deserved second series victory as captain.
5. Pat Carrigan
The Broncos ironman rockets into the top five on the back of his dream debut series. Clinched the Wally Lewis Medal with a tireless, relentless approach that provided the defensive backbone of Queensland’s series win.
6. Valentine Holmes
A super consistent series from the ever-reliable Holmes, who came up with a number of big plays with and without the ball in games one and three. Always delivers in big games.
7. Kurt Capewell
The Broncos co-captain has fast emerged as Queensland’s Mr Dependable. Whether it’s in the centres or the back row, Capewell gets the job done with a minimum of fuss and his try in Game Three ignited the Maroons’ fightback.
8. Harry Grant
The dummy-half dynamo was deadly in both of Queensland’s wins, adding so much spark from the bench. Grant is set to terrorise the Blues for a decade.
9. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
A tower of strength in the midfield. The 22-year-old relishes the grind of Origin football and when the going got tough in the decider, Big Tino muscled up. A future Queensland captain.
10. Felise Kaufusi
The veteran backrower was strong in the opening two games of the series before missing the decider due to family reasons. A reliable face in the forward pack who isn’t a spent force.
11. Lindsay Collins
Queensland’s new-age Raging Bull who tore NSW apart in Game One with his fearless charges off interchange. Forced his way into the starting side and can be Queensland’s front-row leader for many years.
12. Jeremiah Nanai
The debutant was quiet in his first two games but exploded with a number of freakish plays in the decider. Proved he is going to give the Blues plenty of headaches for years to come.
13. Reuben Cotter
The Cowboys workhorse surges up on the list on the strength of his outstanding Game One debut. Only a hamstring injury at club level which ruled him out for the rest of the series stopped him making more waves. Can play 20 Origin matches.
14. Josh Papalii
The statesman was well below his brutal best all series as the speed of Origin caught up with him. But he is the spiritual leader of Queensland’s engine room and that can’t be understated in a young forward pack.
15. Dane Gagai
The Knights ace copped enormous criticism after missing 18 tackles in the first two games but in the decider, Gagai showed his toughness, literally. His furious attack on Matt Burton summed up Queensland’s spirit in a scrap.
16. Tom Dearden
Stunning Origin debut in the decider deputising for Munster. Went into the game with little expectation and emerged a Queensland player for years to come.
17. Jai Arrow
The quiet achiever of the Queensland pack. Was named 18th man for Origin I but bounced back from his Covid scandal last year with wholehearted efforts in the final two games. Tailor made for Origin.
18. Selwyn Cobbo
A turbulent series for the debutant winger. Was strong in Game One, shaky in Perth and then knocked out cold in the second minute of the decider. Will learn from his whirlwind series.
19. Tom Gilbert
Another Cowboy who thrived in his debut. Called up for the decider and looked like a seasoned 20-gamer as he threw himself into the contest, even when he appeared out on his feet.
20. Corey Oates
The veteran winger was recalled for the decider and did exactly what was expected of him. Didn’t let Queensland down and proved he may have more Origin footy left in him.
21. Xavier Coates
Outstanding club season for Melbourne won him a starting berth for the Maroons, only to miss the rest of the series after injuring his ankle in Origin I. But has a 10-year future in Maroon.
22. Murray Taulagi
The Cowboys winger had a nervous debut in Game Two as NSW’s elite kicking game put him under immense pressure. A super talent who will surely play more Origin footy.
23. Christian Welch
Luckless Storm prop would have been the first prop picked for Queensland but for his season-ending achilles injury. Will be hard to overlook for next year’s series and will put pressure on Josh Papalii.
24. Reece Walsh
Has gone within a whisker of an Origin debut for two years running now. Supremely talented fullback who will play for the Maroons at some point, you’d think.
25. Tom Flegler
So close, yet so far this season. The Broncos prop made his Origin debut last year and was a member of the extended squad for all three games this season, including 18th man duties for the decider.
26. David Fifita
Missed the entire series due to a nagging knee injury, but at his best Fifita gives the Blues cold sweats. The Titans wrecking ball needs to get his career back on track next season.
27. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Made his Origin debut in last year’s dead rubber and showed he is valued by coach Billy Slater by being picked in Queensland’s extended squads. At 20, he has a massive future in Maroon.
28. AJ Brimson
Made a strong Origin debut in Game One of 2020 but has fallen off the radar since due to injuries. Can be a handy utility if he gets himself fit.
29. Mo Fotuaika
The Titans’ dismal form cost him a Maroons jumper this season but his four Origin games in 2020-21 showed the emerging prop can be a key member of Queensland’s middle rotation.
30. Ezra Mam
The Broncos young gun got a small taste of Camp Maroon during an opposed training session and will be putting heat on Queensland’s halves in years to come.
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