The 2025 NRL season has kicked into gear.
With excitement at fever pitch, it's the ideal time to forge ahead with a prediction of what Queensland's side will be for the State of Origin opener.
Selection decisions quickly start to dominate conversations once the NRL starts and this year has been no different for the Maroons.
A fascinating fullback battle has played out across the opening months, while Billy Slater's loyalty to the players who lost the shield during the decider on home soil will be a hot topic of discussion.
The Sporting News predicts Queensland's side for the Origin opener on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium.
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Queensland Maroons predicted team list for State of Origin 2025 Game I
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Patrick Carrigan
9. Harry Grant
10. Corey Horsburgh
11. Beau Fermor
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Tom Dearden
15. Moeaki Fotuaika
16. Jeremiah Nanai
17. J'maine Hopgood
Maroons team news:
Reece Walsh started all three games for QLD in the No.1 jersey last year, which came off the back of his 2023 Origin campaign that saw him start at fullback in the first two games before he was suspended for the third.
However, after a period in the wilderness due to injury issues, Kalyn Ponga returned to the side in Game III last year via the bench and is set to start at fullback this year.
Despite struggling with Newcastle, he is well in front with Walsh currently sidelined with a knee issue which will see him miss out for the opener.
Xavier Coates and Murray Taulagi are set to remain as Slater's first-choice wing pairing with the coach crossing his fingers that the duo stay injury-free.
Selwyn Cobbo was in and out of the side last year with the Brisbane star starting on the wing during the decider after previously missing out in Game II and being selected on the bench in the opener.
Cobbo has been in strong form in recent weeks after playing at fullback for the Broncos and should be applying pressure onto Taulagi.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who has bagged 47 tries in 47 NRL appearances, and Xavier Savage could also be in consideration.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is almost assured of his place in the backline after repeatedly impressing on the big stage. The Dolphins hero is likely to be paired with Valentine Holmes in the centres.
Emerging Melbourne star Jack Howarth was in the mix but suffered a disclocated shoulder in Round 7 which is likely to end his hopes of earning a Maroons jersey for the time being.
Cameron Munster missed the entire Origin campaign last year due to injury and watched on as Tom Dearden slotted in seamlessly.
The Cowboys co-captain also then went on to star for Australia in the Pacific Championships to apply even more pressure on the Melbourne playmaker this year. However, Munster is set to grab the jersey back with Dearden having to settle for a spot on the bench.
Daly Cherry-Evans looks set to go around again after the Maroons captain revealed he was keen to play on in 2025 and 2026.
His likely long-term successor, Sam Walker, remains sidelined with a knee injury but Jamal Fogarty and Braydon Trindall could be in the frame if DCE is overlooked by Slater.
Harry Grant, who was named on the bench in all three games last year, seemed assured of gaining the No.9 jersey. However, an untimely hamstring injury has left him racing the clock to be fit in time for the opener.
Ben Hunt could be utilised at dummy-half if Grant is ruled out, while Reed Mahoney could also be in the reckoning.
The Queenslanders will be boosted by the return from injury of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who missed the entire series last year after rupturing his ACL in Round 3.
The Titans enforcer could start at lock with Patrick Carrigan and possibly Corey Horsburgh starting up front.
Tom Flegler remains sidelined, while Lindsay Collins will be racing the clock after suffering an MCL injury in Round 5.
Jeremiah Nanai faces a battle to retain his spot on the edge due to poor early form with the Cowboys. Although he has returned to form in recent weeks to perhaps earn himself a place in the 17.
Jaydn Su'A started on the left in the first two matches last year before being dumped from the side altogether for the decider. He could miss out on selection for the opener after an indifferent start with the Dragons.
David Fifita is definitely out of the conversation after falling out of favour on the Gold Coast. However, his Titans teammate Beau Fermor could be set for a debut after being on the fringes in recent years.
Tom Gilbert, who missed the series through injury last year, could be set for a recall with his Dolphins teammate Max Plath likely to be out of the running after picking up a foot injury just weeks before the opener.
Reuben Cotter could also miss out on selection after being handed a two-game ban from Magic Round. This means he won't have played a game for around a month if he is brought in for the Origin opener.
Elsewhere, J’maine Hopgood is likely to be vying for a place on the pine along with Trent Loiero, while Moeaki Fotuaika could provide some punch off the bench.
Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell will be on hand if injuries strike the Queenslanders in their pack.