He may have missed out on replacing Johnathan Thurston but Michael Morgan has still been tipped to be Queensland's X-factor in Wednesday night's State of Origin opener in Brisbane.
Morgan was expected to end his bench apprenticeship and start at five-eighth in game one after Thurston's record run of 36 straight Origins was snapped by a shoulder injury.
Thurston joined an all-star Maroons missing list worth more than 100 Origin games of experience - Matt Scott (knee), Billy Slater (overlooked), Greg Inglis (knee) and Corey Parker (retired).
Queensland opted instead to grant Brisbane pivot Anthony Milford his Origin debut and keep five game utility Morgan on the interchange.
But coach Kevin Walters still talked up Morgan as their game one danger man on Tuesday.
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"There's been a lot of talk around Milf and what he brings to the team but just be careful of the bloke who comes off the bench, he's a pretty good player," Walters said.
"He's our Mr Fix It, he's our jack of all trades."
Walters said Morgan was out to make up for lost time after an injury marred 2016 Origin series.
Last year Morgan's Origin I ended early with concussion when he came off second best with NSW giant David Klemmer.
Morgan then missed game three with the knee injury he suffered in Origin II.
"We didn't get much out of Michael in last year's Origin series, not through his own fault," Walters said.
"But that's something to me that is very comforting knowing we've got him sitting in the wings just waiting."
Not that Walters didn't have faith in Milford.
The quietly spoken Broncos rookie has impressed Walters at Origin camp while being groomed by the man he replaced, Thurston.
"I have no doubt he can handle that pressure and then come back with a little bit more," Walters said of Milford.
"There is pressure on him, no doubt. It is Origin.
"The good players handle the pressure and that's why we believe Anthony will.
"He's been waiting a while for this opportunity to show what he can do."
Walters admitted Queensland were entering a new era after winning 10 of the last 11 series.
But Walters hoped the depleted Maroons would lift for skipper Cameron Smith who will become the first player to notch 40 Origins.
Thurston is playing his final Origin series while a question mark looms over the Maroons future of Smith, Cooper Cronk, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles and Inglis.
"We don't know, it could be their last," Walters said of his Origin veterans.
"We just hope to get the best out of them tomorrow night.
"I am confident without being over the top. I have a lot of faith in this group.
"It is a transitional period for this team but we believe the team that we picked is the best we can run out for game one."
Winger Corey Oates (stomach bug) has been cleared to play.
