Pat Carrigan will launch one last assault on a Queensland State of Origin jersey when Brisbane host the Gold Coast.
The Broncos middle forward has returned from a long-term knee injury a different beast this season, relishing the freedom after he had been lumped with the captaincy of a struggling, inexperienced NRL side over the last two seasons.
But the logjam for an Origin spot is real, Titans captain Tino Faasuamaleaui dubbed a future Maroons captain and the likes of Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Moeaki Fotuaika, Jai Arrow and Francis Molo battling to join regulars Felise Kaufusi and Josh Papalii in the pack.
Carrigan will go head-to-head with Faasuamaleaui on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, while David Fifita also returns from injury for the Titans to pitch his Origin case to new Maroons coach Billy Slater.
Former Queensland coach Kevin Walters said his Broncos talent had returned a better player than the one on the cusp of a debut two years ago.
And with Queensland's side named on Monday for the June 8 opener, Walters knows there will be "a little bit more" that goes into the game for those on the cusp of selection.
"He's put himself right into the picture," Walters said.
"I like the way he's been playing; nice and straight and direct and good in defence.
"It's good to see him get some recognition on the back of that (work ethic)."
Faasuamaleaui has been a beacon for the battling Titans and will be central in their plans to revive a stuttering season.
"Tino's a great leader and the way he plays, he's all actions and he does that every day at training as well as the way he plays," Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook said.
"We've got to get everyone else playing the way he does and we'll be winning every week.
"Just what he brings is fantastic and I don't think there'll be any doubt of him playing Origin. It'll just be a matter of when he's going to be captain of Queensland I think is the question they'll be asking, not if they're going to pick him or not, that's for sure."
Brisbane halfback Adam Reynolds (hamstring) will miss a second-straight game, with Ezra Mam again in the halves with Tyson Gamble.
Brisbane (7-4) have won five straight to shoot to fifth, while the Titans (3-8) are two wins outside the top eight.
"We've got to get some wins on the board ... they're in terrific form, they're playing great and it's up to us to do that ourselves," Holbrook said.
"We've got to get a move on here and we've got a great opportunity tomorrow night to make that happen."
Australian Associated Press
