Former Queensland great Cameron Smith has urged the Maroons to tweak their side headed into Origin 2 in Perth.
The most capped Queenslander said on 100% Footy that bringing in help for Storm hooker Harry Grant might allow them to wrestle back the Origin shield.
Incumbent dummy-half Harry Grant has started four times for Queensland and has lost on all four appearances.
His solution would have Bulldogs’ Reed Mahoney start the game and allow Grant to work his magic from the bench.
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"He [Reed] Mahoney could be an option for the side. Historically over [Harry] Grant’s career in Origin, his best work has come off the bench," Smith said on Monday.
"I saw a stat I wasn’t aware of. Grant has four starts for Queensland and he has lost all four games.
"The challenge for Queensland would be having two number nines in the team alongside a small utility which I wouldn’t endorse."
Smith also advocated for the inclusion of Canberra Raiders’ tyro Corey Horsburgh to the Maroons side for game two.
“I had Corey Horsburgh in my side for the first line-up, he’s in great form and a part of a team going well,
Queensland faces an uphill battle to regain the Origin shield with game 2 taking place at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
The Maroons have lost both previous games played at Optus Stadium in 2019 and 2022 by huge margins.
New South Wales won the first game 18-6 last Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium as they look to win back-to-back series.
Game 2 of the State Of Origin series is on Wednesday June 18th at Perth’s Optus Stadium at 8:05pm.