Queensland coach Kevin Walters admits rising star Coen Hess is on track for a stunning State of Origin call-up as the Maroons look to inject new blood into a depleted pack.
Matt Scott's season-ending knee injury and Corey Parker's retirement have opened the door for the Maroons' next generation of big men to fill the void this year.
Walters has earmarked Hess for May's series opener in Brisbane despite the Cowboys backrower making just five NRL starts.
Hess - still just 20 - stamped his Origin credentials with two barnstorming tries in the Cowboys' last round win on the Gold Coast which Walters witnessed as a TV commentator.
"He was in our emerging squad early this year and he's progressing very quickly," Walters said at the Origin launch in Sydney on Monday.
"We'll just see how he goes in the next six-to-eight weeks.
"But he's doing everything right at the moment and really opening the eyes up of a lot of people."
Veteran Queensland forward Sam Thaiday was already convinced, saying he had no problem throwing Hess into the Origin cauldron.
"Why not? I was young when I played," Thaiday said on Monday.
"He's been playing some fantastic footy for the Cowboys.
"And I think the fortunate thing for him is that there are Origin players in that Cowboys team and he has experience with those players.
"We need to start blooding some forwards because we have an ageing pack.
"He'd be a great addition. He'd do a great job for Queensland."
Walters said he would also monitor Cowboys backrower Ethan Lowe.
The Maroons will be forced to make at least three changes to the side that lost the dead rubber against NSW last season after Greg Inglis' serious knee injury.
Walters is likely to insert Melbourne veteran Billy Slater straight into the No.1 jumper following his successful return from twin shoulder reconstructions, and shift incumbent fullback Darius Boyd to the wing.
Newcastle's Dane Gagai is expected to slot into Inglis' centre vacancy.
"I think (Slater is) more suited at fullback and Darius on the wing but you never say never to things and options," Walters said.
"I guess his (Slater's) body will tell us that the next month of NRL...and how his mindset is.
"He'll know whether he's ready for Origin or not."
Maroons winger Corey Oates reckoned Walters - one of three Queensland selectors this year - had a tough task ahead deciding on a fullback.
Brisbane's Boyd made the Test and Queensland No.1 jersey his own last year but has already volunteered to play on the Maroons wing following Slater's injury return.
Oates did not believe it was that clear cut.
"Slater is one of the greatest fullbacks of the game and Darius played so well last year so I think it will be pretty tough for the selectors where they go on that one," he said.
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