North Queensland's NRL clash with South Sydney on Sunday looms as a potential State of Origin audition for Cowboys' hooker Jake Granville.
The mop-haired rake has been earmarked by Queensland coach Kevin Walters as a leading contender following injuries to incumbent Andrew McCullough (knee) and Sydney Rooster Jake Friend (biceps).
Granville will have no better way to press his case at Suncorp Stadium than against Rabbitoh Damien Cook, who starred for NSW in last year's Origin series victory.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who has coached Queensland in 22 Origins across three stints, doesn't think Walters would be let down if he does choose Granville as his No.9.
"He's played in a couple of grand finals ... he's a good player, I've always rated him," Bennett said.
"He tries really hard as well. Epitomises what Queensland are about, he's always doing his best for you and he does that every week.
"Some weeks are better than others, like all players, but he wouldn't be out of place."
Another player pushing for an Origin debut is Blues hopeful Cody Walker.
The 29-year-old's form has him pressuring NSW incumbent halves Nathan Cleary and James Maloney for a spot in Brad Fittler's team.
Bennett revealed he'd tried to lure Walker to the Broncos before he signed with the Rabbitohs in 2016 and now he was finally coaching the five-eighth, he'd proven to be an even better player than he thought.
"He's a very talented player," Bennett said.
"If he gets selected I'd be very pleased for him, but at the moment they've got that many players to pick from in New South Wales they could give us a loan of a couple the way we're going with our injuries in Queensland."
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