D-Day is looming for Matt Gillett but Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has backed his unfancied side to win the State of Origin series even without their star back-rower, saying "this is not impossible".
Cherry-Evans admits he has no idea if veteran Gillett will overcome a groin complaint for Wednesday's series decider in Sydney, saying it will all hinge on whether the back-rower features at Tuesday's captain's run.
Yet Cherry-Evans warned the Maroons were once again ready to overcome the odds and seal a 12th series win in 14 seasons on Wednesday night as they revert to type by welcoming their underdog tag.
"I honestly don't know (if Gillett is playing) but he has been working flat out with the physio team," Cherry-Evans said.
"He will give himself every chance to play. I am pretty sure he will be training tomorrow. We will find out where he is at then."
Teenager David Fifita is set to come off the bench and start in his third Origin match with debutant Ethan Lowe coming onto the interchange if Gillett is ruled out.
"But regardless of who plays there is a lot of motivation for this side to win," Cherry-Evans said.
Queensland mentor Kevin Walters has taken a different approach in 2019, adopting Coach Whisperer Bradley Charles Stubbs' "Expect to Win" philosophy.
But Cherry-Evans said the players were embracing to the Maroons' traditional love of underdog status - bookies have them at $3 and NSW at $1.39 - in the wake of their game two 38-6 thrashing from NSW.
"Yeah 100 per cent we are," he said.
"We enjoy the moment. The moment is never too big for a Queensland side so it is there for the taking and I can't wait."
The Queensland captain took comfort from the fact the Maroons had won the past two Sydney deciders - in 2008 and 2013.
Cherry-Evans featured in the 2013 decider.
"It has been done before. I have been involved in one of those and it is bloody hard work, it takes a full 80-minute performance to get that job done," he said.
"But I am reassuring the boys that this is not impossible.
"That is the mindset we need, that this is not too big for us."
Overall the Maroons have claimed the past seven series deciders.
The Blues haven't won a decisive game three since 2005.
Meanwhile Cherry-Evans couldn't confirm that bench utility Moses Mbye and centre Michael Morgan would swap roles.
Mbye has been training at left centre all camp as North Queensland captain Morgan recovers from a concussion suffered in the last NRL round.
"We will see how we line up on Wednesday but regardless of who is out there we are confident, motivation will not be missing," Cherry-Evans said.
