Let's Talk Origin - Round 3

Still too early? Oh well, think yourselves lucky, I was ready to go when the final whistle blew in game three last year!

Each week at Leagueunlimited.com we'll do our best to toss up a few names for everyone to debate over. For each state we'll name three players:

• An incumbent member of the squads that featured in last year's series who look to be cementing their spot or perhaps are in line for a positional switch.
• A player looking for a recall after being dropped, injured or suspended.
• A rookie who is putting their hand up for their first taste of it.

We'll also bring you one player who could be under the pump to hold his position in the team.

The Incumbents

NSW - TRENT MERRIN (LOCK/INTERCHANGE)
After an off season which seemed to revolve around where Trent Merrin would be running out in 2016, he is now letting his football on the field do the talking. Running for over 150 meters per game, he's provided a constant attacking threat. Merrin has become a regular fixture off the bench for the Blues since debuting back in 2011, providing a point of difference with his neat footwork before the line and the ability to offload, generating some all-important second phase play. Has received limited game time though and Coach Laurie Daley must be considering unleashing him for longer spells throughout this year's series.

QLD - WILL CHAMBERS (CENTRE/WING)
A season ending injury to Maroon's flyer Brent Tate gave Chambers his chance to debut for his state in game three last year and it's safe to say he didn't let his team mates down. Was safe as houses in the unfamiliar wing position and brought the ball back strongly all night. Chambers has started the season strongly for the Storm crossing the chalk for a try in each game and looking dangerous every time he's given some room to move. Expect to see him spend some time in the centres in this year's series working with club mate Cooper Cronk.

The Recalled

NSW - MICHAEL GORDON (FULLBACK)
The forgotten man in the race for the vacant fullback spot, Gordon played one game on the wing for the Blues back in game three 2010. Hardly a standout performer among the many great fullbacks running around south of the Tweed at the moment, but hasn't exactly been given many opportunities in a struggling Shark's outfit and sometimes if you look beyond the surface, a hidden gem will appear. At his best Gordon is a flying machine capable of tearing opposition defenses to shreds with his speed and tackle breaking ability. Gordon is also one of the sharpest shooting goal kickers going around.

QLD - CHRIS McQUEEN (BACK-ROW/INTERCHANGE)
Was overlooked for game three last year after a couple of quiet performances in the opening two games. McQueen was an unsung hero for the Rabbitoh's in their charge to the title last year and looks to have stepped up in the opening rounds this year. Always renowned for his versatility being able to comfortably handle the outside backs, he has enhanced that further this year spending time on both edges as well as playing in the middle of the park doing the tough work. With former team mate Ben Te'o moving on, there's a spot or two up for grabs on the Queensland bench and McQueen is firmly in the frame to earn a recall.

The Rookies

NSW - DYLAN WALKER (CENTRE/WING)
Became one of those rare players to represent his country before state after playing in last year's Four Nations campaign. Walker has gotten off to a flyer in 2015 including a five star performance on the weekend which produced two tries, two line-breaks and seven tackle busts, all with a broken hand! He will undergo surgery this week, but will only be out for four weeks, giving him ample game time in the lead up to Origin one. Has all the attributes to make a big impression at this level including one of the best in and aways the game's seen in some time. It will be hard to break the centre pairing of Michael Jennings and Josh Morris so perhaps a spot on the wing will kick-start his Origin career.

QLD - ETHAN LOWE (BACK-ROW/INTERCHANGE)
A real bolter's chance of breaking into the Maroon's ranks after only fifteen games in the top grade. After debuting for the Cowboys back in 2013, Lowe broke through as a permanent member of the Cowboy's side late last year. The tall workaholic back-rower has been a standout performer in an otherwise disappointing Cowboy's team early this year, averaging 133 running meters and 32 tackles per game. Also runs a really good line in attack and would give the Maroon's a ready-made combination with Origin great Johnathan Thurston.

Under the Pump

NSW - JOSH DUGAN
There's no doubt Dugan is a big match player, having risen to the occasion every time he's pulled on the sky blue jersey, including two games in the unfamiliar centre position after only a handful of games there at club level last year. His early season form and niggling injuries must be of some concern to Coach Daley though. Dugan doesn't really provide the Blues with added ball playing from the back. Some of his passing after chiming into the Dragon's backline on the weekend looked shaky at best. Even his running meters are down in his two games this year, only averaging 80 meters per game compared to his career average of 150.

QLD - DAVE TAYLOR
After a number of chances at the top level it appears more and more unlikely this wrecking ball of a human being will ever truly realize his untapped potential. Capable of running over the top of anyone that dares stand in his way, Taylor can potentially tear a game wide open, but it's hard to see Coach Meninga giving him another chance, especially with a looming court case due to start just a few weeks before Origin One.

Left-Field Thought of the Week

With a lack of quality five-eights in good form for NSW at the moment and so many talented fullbacks putting their hand up for selection, maybe Laurie Daley will consider a selection bombshell and pick someone with the silky skills of Matt Moylan in the number six… What do you think?