A woman from the bush and the man who was rolled to make way for Campbell Newman will face off to lead Queensland's bruised and defeated Liberal National Party.
Tim Nicholls finally ran up the flag of surrender on Friday, accepting what political commentators have been saying for almost two weeks - there was no way the LNP could cobble together a government and edge out Labor.
Within 15 minutes, LNP deputy leader Deb Frecklington threw her hat into the ring after spending the best part of a fortnight clearing her run.
Announcing she wanted the LNP's top job, the member for the rural southeastern seat of Nanango revealed she had convinced Tim Mander, who had been considered a strong contender, to serve as her deputy if the party would have them.
Resurrected Newman government minister David Crisafulli soon announced he was not in the race, saying he was "flattered" by the encouragement he had received but it was time for him to get used to being back in parliament.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Then came the rallying tweet from former LNP leader John-Paul Langbroek, the man the party executive rolled in 2011 to make way for Campbell Newman.
"Our party needs someone who knows the rigours of leadership, and with the experience to rebuild the trust with all Queenslanders. I have the measured resolve to take on Labor," the Surfers Paradise MP wrote.
On Friday afternoon, Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan reportedly said he would stand for the deputy position.
Leadership pitches will be made to the LNP party room on Tuesday.
Mr Crisafulli would not say who would he would support.
If Ms Frecklington succeeds and can hang on for a term, her elevation will set up a face-off with Annastacia Palaszczuk in Queensland's first all-woman premiership contest.
"My nomination offers an opportunity for the LNP to take a fresh approach that will allow us to reconnect with our community ... with common sense ideas that will drive Queensland forward," Ms Frecklington said in a statement.
Griffith University political analyst Paul Williams says the party will be looking for a leader with appeal in the city but also in regional Queensland, where the party haemorrhaged votes to One Nation.
"Deb Frecklington's got a very good balance, wedding urban and rural interests. She's from the country, a farming background in an old National party seat, but she's also an agribusiness person with tertiary qualifications so there's room for appeal in the southeast," he said.
Of Mr Langbroek, he said: "I think he was a reasonably good leader last time and I think he'd be a very good leader this time."
