Loyalty may have again been shown to Queensland's veteran forwards but Sam Thaiday believes the ageing Maroons pack could be injected with more young blood by game two of the State of Origin series.
Queensland selectors made only enforced changes to their pack for next week's Origin I in Brisbane.
Test prop Matt Scott (knee) was replaced by debutant Dylan Napa and ex-Maroons front-rower Josh McGuire slotted into lock for Corey Parker (retired).
Veteran prop Nate Myles and Sydney Roosters backrower Aidan Guerra were retained despite quiet NRL season starts while selectors also kept the faith with 33-year-old Warriors hardman Jacob Lillyman.
Thaiday, a veteran of 28 Origin matches believes more change is coming, tipping either North Queensland's Coen Hess or Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace to earn a debut as soon as next month's game two.
"I wouldn't be surprised in the next two games going forward if we might see another young forward come into the mix like Jarrod Wallace or Coen Hess," Thaiday said.
"I am looking forward to what Dylan Napa does in game one.
"I feel he's in the shoes that Nate and I were in 2006 when we came into the side and blokes like Petero Civoniceva, Steve Price and Shane Webcke were showing us the way."
Wallace will get a taste of Origin camp life ahead of game one, training as back-up for Myles who is expected to overcome a knee complaint.
But it remains to be seen when another front-row vacancy emerges, judging by Queensland's "stick and pick" policy.
Myles - 32 next month - was retained in the Maroons front row despite failing to cement a starting side berth for NRL club Manly this year.
He will line up for his 32nd Origin on Wednesday night, moving to equal sixth on the all-time list with Mal Meninga.
And Guerra was kept on the Maroons bench despite averaging just 49 minutes a game at the tri-colours this season, the equal lowest amount he's played in his eight year NRL career.
Thaiday believed the under-fire Maroons pack would again repay the selectors' faith in game one.
"There is something special about this jersey," he said.
"When guys put it on they usually lift.
"Even if you are not getting the most minutes at club land you come into Origin and you want to lift for your teammates and do a job for Queensland.
"I expect that to be the case again come Wednesday night."
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