Josh Dugan is NSW captain Paul Gallen's first choice to fill the massive boots left by Jarryd Haynes at fullback.
Provided Dugan can recover in time from his ankle injury, Gallen thinks Dugan should be at the head of a long queue of candidates for the pivotal role.
Dugan suffered the injury while playing for St George Illawarra in round one of the NRL season.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler is talking up Brett Morris' chances, but Gallen hopes he will stay a winger when the Origin series opens on May 27 at ANZ Stadium.
"If `Doogs' can get back to the form we know he can (produce), then he probably deserves first crack at it," Gallen said at Tuesday's Origin series launch in Melbourne.
"Brett Morris has been one of the world's best wingers for a long, long time and he's been that for a reason.
"I don't see any real point in changing him around.
"We'll just have to wait and see if Doogs gets back, fit and healthy."
Gallen also readily conceded that losing Haynes to the NFL is a major blow for the Blues.
"It's not good - he was amazing for us," Gallen said.
"He's always performed at Origin level, whether at wing or fullback."
Last year, NSW broke Queensland's eight-year series winning streak to reclaim the shield.
But Gallen said being part of that victorious NSW team will count for little when it comes to selection this year.
"You have to be playing well - you can't have played last year and just expect to walk back into the team," he said.
"That goes for every single person.
"It's a special thing to play State Of Origin and jerseys shouldn't be given away lightly to anyone."
One player who could be in line for selection this year is South Sydney's Luke Keary.
Keary, who was born in Queensland, had hoped to play for the Maroons.
But the NRL has confirmed his NSW eligibility.
"He's one bloke who performs every week and he has, I suppose, that Origin attitude - he's just a little terrier out on the field," Gallen said.
"He doesn't care how big or small they are, he rips in.
"He'll certainly be here one day."
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