Mal Meninga has thrown a curveball by floating Alec MacDonald for State of Origin this year.
The Queensland icon has named the Storm player as a potential bolter for Game 1, with Billy Slater set to name his team in less than a week.
MacDonald is eligible to represent the Maroons despite being born in New Zealand, having played his junior rugby league in the Sunshine State.
The forward debuted for Melbourne in 2022 and has gone on to make 55 appearances – the bulk of them coming off the bench.
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Meninga believes MacDonald is a "quality player" and feels his tenacity would help him shine in the Origin arena.
The Kangaroos coach also named the likes of Beau Fermor and Corey Horsburgh as potential Queensland candidates.
"Origin is getting faster, quicker, stronger. I feel it is becoming a young person’s game. I would be looking at players with younger legs and the right character," Meninga said on SEN.
"I would be throwing them in there and having a bit of a crack. There are a few bolters.
"Beau Fermor, Corey Horsburgh and Trent Loiero – who has a bit of a hothead, but you don’t mind someone like that – and I don’t mind Alec MacDonald.
"He is a quality player who never gives up. That is the type of player you are looking at.
"You bring in the Tom Gilberts and J’Maine Hopgoods, and Tom Dearden needs to be there as well.
"Younger legs, competitive players. I feel they can come into contention this year."
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MacDonald's inclusion in the Queensland side would be a surprise one, but Slater is no stranger to picking rogue candidates.
Last year, he added Trent Loiero to the squad, although the Storm lock did not make the starting 17.
The Maroons' Game 1 side is set to be revealed on Monday, May 19.