Josh Jackson has been named in the NSW Blues squad for State of Origin I.
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His selection in 2017 comes off the back of his teammates voting him the NSW player of the series last time around.
This time it appears as if a door has been opened for the NSW outfit, as Queensland’s side is bereft of Maroon staples like Matt Scott, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater.
Question marks still remain over Jonathon Thurston too, with the Cowboys captain being named at 18th man due to his ongoing struggles to return to fitness after his round 6 injury.
While Queensland are scrambling to replace missing stars, NSW is bringing them in as players like Mitchell Pearce and Jarryd Hayne return to the squad, while potential debutantes like Jake Trbojevic and Jack de Belin wait on the bench and in the extras.
With momentum growing in the Blues ranks and a distinct impression that the guard is changing north of the Tweed, the door has opened ever so slightly.
NSW must back themselves to barge it right down if they want to create some history of their own.
Game 1 of the State of Origin series is set to be played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, May 31.
Jackson’s Bulldogs play the Sharks on May 27 with a depleted squad.
NSW Team: James Tedesco; Blake Ferguson; Josh Dugan; Jarryd Hayne; Brett Morris; James Maloney; Mitchell Pearce; Aaron Woods; Nathan Peats; Andrew Fifita; Josh Jackson; Boyd Cordner (c); Tyson Frizell.
Interchange: David Klemmer; Wade Graham; Jake Trbojevic; Jack Bird; Additional: Matt Moylan; Jordan McLean; Jack de Belin; Coach: Laurie Daley.