By Darren Lockyer

Billy Slater took just one sentence to stamp his style as Queensland State of Origin coach last week.

When he was asked if Queensland would enter Wednesday’s series opener against New South Wales as the underdogs, Slater replied:

“I don't care about that. I never once stepped on an Origin field feeling like the other team was better than us and we won't be starting now."

Some Blues fans may have been shocked.

The Maroons not grabbing the underdog tag and talking up the Blues as favourites?

But Billy’s quote was refreshing and it shows his mindset going into his first origin game as a head coach.

Billy Slater is a positive person. That’s how he played his footy. 

He always backed himself and he’s not going to change that going into an Origin series that starts in Sydney, moves to Perth and then heads to Brisbane for the series finale.

Billy’s optimism will be contagious for the players.

And they have reason to be hopeful.

For the first time in a while, we’re going into a series with a lot of our players in form and healthy.

The Blues are missing some big names due to injury. Tom Trbojevic’s contribution last year was critical to their dominance while Latrell Mitchell’s strike power will also be a loss for the Blues.

I know the preparation will be spot on and I’m very optimistic we will play well.

We have a good mix this year of the experience of the likes of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and the enthusiasm of rookies like Selwyn Cobbo.

Reuben Cotter brings an element of toughness to his Origin debut that reminds me of the tireless Dallas Johnson.

The other big battle is between the hookers.

The Blues will get 80 minutes out of Damien Cook, who is proven in the Origin arena.

Queensland will start with Ben Hunt in the No.9 jersey before Harry Grant impacts the game from the bench.

Ben deserves to start the game. He’s leading the Dally M player of the year voting after 12 rounds even though his Dragons sit outside the top eight. And he was the player of the match in the last Origin game.

Harry has had a setback recently but he’ll be ready to go on Wednesday. He could make a real difference in this game as forwards tire. And we know that you don’t have to start a match to shape it.

Keep an eye on the game management between the Blues’ Nathan Cleary and Cherry Evans.

Both know how to keep their teams calm and direct them when the game is on the line.

Queensland will do well to take time away from Cleary during the game. He never looks flustered Cleary but there in lies the opportunity. I believe if we can put him off his game by reducing his time to pass, kick and think, we will have a huge advantage.

Some of that will come down to the “one-percenters”. The Maroons will need to lift in the absence of injured Christian Welch, who has been so good at the unsung work.

Billy will be focused on that through his background at the Melbourne Storm. He values that work off the ball.

The Maroons need to start well in Sydney. They will want a high intensity opening with minimal errors and aggressive defence to get the Slater era started with evidence and build their confidence in to the game. Once the fatigue sets in, it comes down to mental toughness and remembering what the jersey means and how much it means to them to wear it. 

Talent helps but State of Origin games are won on desire. 

* This column was published in the Sunday Mail on 5 June 2022