Queensland selector Darren Lockyer believes skipper Cameron Smith will play on in State of Origin next year and help ease the transition to the Maroons' generation next.
With Johnathan Thurston to retire from representative duties this year and the futures of fellow spine veterans Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk still uncertain, the Maroons are facing teething problems as they regenerate following their extended golden era.
Smith, who with Slater turned 34 on Sunday, is contracted to Melbourne for 2018 but he has yet to declare whether he'll be available for his state and Australia beyond this year's World Cup.
"He's keeping his cards close to his chest," Lockyer told the Sunday Footy Show.
"I think he's got another year in him. I reckon for Thurston this is it, we don't know about Cooper yet, whether he plays on or retires at the end of the year.
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"But my gut feel is (Smith) will go another year."
Coach Kevin Walters has already fast-tracked transitioning his side, introducing Dylan Napa, Anthony Milford, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes and Tim Glasby in 2017.
Queensland's main concern will be their halves with the Maroons to potentially be without both Thurston and Cronk next year.
Milford has already been earmarked as a long-term future Maroon, Michael Morgan has been a mainstay of the Queensland and Australian sides for the last several years.
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Parramatta star Corey Norman have been touted as possible options while Ash Taylor has been a standout for the Gold Coast in 2017, leading the competition for try assists.
