By Nick Wright
Dolphins forward Josh Kerr has declared Max Plath will go where Plath’s famous father could not, and help Queensland regain the State of Origin shield as early as the 2025 series.
Plath was a revelation in his first full NRL campaign last season, filling the void left by injured lock Tom Gilbert while covering hooker in Jeremy Marshall-King’s absence.
The 23-year-old’s dad, John Plath, featured in the Brisbane Broncos’ first four premiership teams – playing off the bench – but was unable to garner a Maroons jersey.
Max Plath will have the chance to announce himself as a genuine State of Origin contender.Credit: Getty Images
But Kerr is adamant the younger Plath would prove the perfect addition to coach Billy Slater’s Origin line-up, equipped with the toughness and versatility which has thrived in the interstate arena.
“I deadset reckon he’ll be an Origin player in the near future, I think Billy Slater will be watching,” Kerr, Queensland’s 2020 game two 18th man, said.
“That’s the kind of stock-standard bloke he picks in his team, and if he ever got that opportunity – watching him at training and knowing him as a bloke – he wouldn’t let Queensland down at all.
“He had a breakout year, his challenge now is to back that up. The best thing about him is it’s not like he was the superstar making all the linebreaks, he just did all the things that a lot of people don’t want to do.
“That’s his character, so if he keeps doing that there’s no doubt he’ll be an Origin player.”
Path’s elevation to the Maroons’ fold could hinge on the future of veteran utility Ben Hunt, who will be 35 at the start of the series in 2025.
Having signed a two-year deal with the Broncos, Hunt is yet to retire from or confirm his availability for Queensland duties, and Plath’s utility-value could make him a tempting replacement option.
Plath – who has played five-eighth, second row, lock and hooker – revealed he had spent much of the preseason at dummy-half, and was open to playing in the backrow once Gilbert returned.
The Dolphins’ Player of the Year has led the way in fitness testing, and given Slater’s game plan attempted to grind the Blues to the death to counter their size advantage, his endurance and adaptability could bode well for his selection chances.
“That’s my next evolution as a player, getting more skilful at hooker, and lucky enough I’ve grown up playing in the halves, so playing at lock and in ball-playing areas comes easier to me,” Plath said.
“Now it’s getting more reps at hooker and trying to develop my game into being that really quality hooker, and hopefully, I can open myself up to more positions.
“You hear a lot about players with that second-year syndrome where they take it a bit easier, or lay off the pedal a bit. I’m trying to make a conscious effort not to do that.
“I’m not the fastest, or the strongest, or the most skilful, so I need to have some sort of edge.”