Let's Talk Origin - Round 5

This week we focus on the all-important engine room of both states and find out who is best placed to lay the platform for their star playmakers to perform.

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 - AARON WOODS (PROP) - This larger than life cult figure debuted back in game two 2013 and has gone on to play five straight games in the Blues front-row. Was a key member up front in last year's breakthrough series win, laying a solid platform for his team to work off. Went on to represent the Kangaroos in last year's Four Nations and seems to have taken his game to another dominant level this year, averaging 188 metres with 11 tackle busts and 13 offloads along the way. Works beautifully with Tigers club mate Robbie Farah around the ruck and has deceptive footwork before the line. Looks primed to lift another cog and dominate an Origin series from the front.

QLD - NATE MYLES (PROP) - One of the constants throughout the Maroon's famous eight year dynasty, Myles has played all bar one game since debuting back in 2006. One of the most underrated performers in Origin history, the 2012 Wally Lewis Medal winner just keeps on putting in. His ability to keep poking his nose through the line and get a quick play the ball has been paramount to his bigger front-row teammates rolling forward and laying a solid platform. Also has the versatility to slot into the back-row if needed.

THE RECALLED

NSW - ANDREW FIFITA (PROP/INTERCHANGE) - The sky's the limit for this hulking giant with untapped potential. Debuted for the Blues, playing all three games in the 2013 series making a solid impact off the bench. Missed last year's series through injury and will be looking to fight his way back into the squad this year. Has gotten off to a solid start for the Sharks this year averaging 147 metres and 25 tackles per game and has busted out of 19 tackles with his aggressive running at the line. Capable of lifting his game in the weeks ahead and should only get better with more football under his belt. Seems to have put the offload away in recent weeks, but expect them to come out more selectively as his all round game gets better.

QLD - MATT SCOTT (PROP) - A mainstay in the Maroons engine room over the last five years, Scott is a certainty to be recalled after fracturing his cheekbone in the brutal game two encounter last year, missing game three as a result. Learning his trade at the top level alongside the great Petero Civoniceva, Scott took over the mantle as Queensland's number one yardage man in 2013 and the tough as nails hard man didn't disappoint. Continues to go about his business with a minimum of fuss, averaging 140 metres and just under 30 tackles per game. Will no doubt grow another leg when he pulls on his beloved maroon jersey once again.

THE ROOKIES

NSW - DAVID KLEMMER (PROP/INTERCHANGE) - Stormed onto the representative scene in last year's Four Nations, making his national debut after just 27 games at NRL level. This behemoth of a man plays an instrumental role in the Bulldogs engine room, averaging 120 metres in only 24 minutes of game time off the bench for the Bulldogs this year. Was particularly strong in the epic Good Friday encounter on the weekend, serving it up to the Burgess Boys and co, running for 203 metres in 19 bustling runs. With Aaron Woods and Paul Gallen both capable of playing big minutes up front for the Blues, Klemmer looms as the ideal bench front-rower to come on and make maximum impact in a short amount of time. Klemmer is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines through a contrary conduct charge coming out of the infamous Good Friday game. If found guilty, his selection could now come down to how much match fitness he can regain in the two to three games before Origin one.

QLD - DYLAN NAPA (PROP/INTERCHANGE) - With Ben Te'o plying his trade in English Rugby and Dave Taylor under pressure to keep his position in the team, the Maroons will be looking for an impact player to come off the bench and wreak havoc in this year's series. The timing seems perfect for this young firebrand to stamp his mark at the top level after an impressive opening to the season for the tri-colours. Napa has played most of the year off the bench and made a big impact when coming on, including some bone crunching tackles. Has the potential to excel at this level with his aggressive running style and the ability to chop players in half with his tackling technique, which could have the Maroons handing over the nickname of "The Axe" made famous by the great Trevor Gillmeister.

UNDER THE PUMP

NSW - JAMES TAMOU - After making his "career move" to make himself available for the Blues in 2012, Tamou was immediately brought into the New South Wales team for game one of that year and made a fairly solid impact at the top level. Since that first series though, Tamou's form has slowly gone downhill. Has been battling a neck injury for some time and after off season surgery, got off to a slow start to 2015. Tamou has found some confidence and form in the past couple of weeks including his best game in sometime in Monday night's win over the Panthers, where he ran for 166 metres including one line break and four tackle busts to put himself back in the frame. Is still the most likely of the Blues big men to make way though if they decide to go with some fresh blood off the bench.

QLD - JACOB LILLYMAN - After a three year hiatus from Origin football, Lillyman earned a recall to the Maroon's fold for the last two games of the 2014 series, due mainly to injuries. Whilst still a solid campaigner at club level, the 31 year old probably can't lift the extra cog or two needed to make an impact at this level. With the many young forwards coming through the Queensland system, it seems likely Lillyman has played his last game at the top level.

LEFT-FIELD THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
Possibly only left-field if you're a NSW selector, but it's beyond me how Aiden Tolman's name gets overlooked for selection year after year. Plays big minutes at the Bulldogs, averaging 63 minutes for 134 metres and 32 tackles per game. The underrated workhorse constantly takes the toughest run of the set, poking his nose through the line and providing the quick play the ball for his monstrous forward pack to get on the back of. The kind of player QLD have been picking for years…