For the first time this series, Queensland has opted to name a squad instead of a line-up.

Patrick Carrigan, Jeremiah Nanai and Corey Horsburgh are in. Lindsay Collins, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki are out.

Here's the full 20-man squad for the decider at Lang Park next Wednesday, July 8:

• Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
• Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)*
• Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
• Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
• Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
• Jojo Fifita (Titans)
• Thomas Flegler (Dolphins)
• Harry Grant (Storm)
• Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)*
• Trent Loiero (Storm)
• Cameron Munster (Storm)
• Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)*
• Briton Nikora (Sharks)
• Max Plath (Dolphins)
• Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
• Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)*
• Robert Toia (Roosters)
• Sam Walker (Roosters)
• Reece Walsh (Broncos)*

* Did not play Game II

(Getty)

So, a quick blog's a good blog I suppose.

We'll sign it off there now that all the pieces are on the board for the decider.

Of course we'll have extensive coverage of the next 10 days and a live blog and radio call on the night of the game on Wednesday, July 8 from Lang Park in Brisbane.

Interestingly, the Raiders middle was consistently overlooked while he was in career-best form for Canberra en route to the minor premiership.

But now, with the Raiders struggling, Horsburgh is in the squad, albeit as 20th man.

"It's a reward for the consistent effort he's putting in. He gets through a mountain of work, he does a lot of the little things for a big man. He says them as important and they don't go unnoticed in my eyes.

"Good to see Big Red, he's a great character, he's a good fella and he's earned his opportunity to get back into this squad."

The way Slater is speaking suggests to me that he told Horsburgh last year what he wanted to see more of from him, and he's gone back and done it.

The decider being at Lang Park is no doubt an advantage for the Maroons, but the home side has actually lost the past two games in Brisbane — the 2024 decider and last year's series opener.

Slater says it's nice to have the game on home soil, but they won't put too much stock in the good or the bad history.

"What's happened in the past is nearly irrelevant. What happens in the next nine days and the 80 minutes next Wednesday night is what's going to decide the outcome. That's what we'll be focusing on.

"The venue means a lot to us, it means a lot to Queenslanders.

"We won't be focusing too much on what's happened in the past."

The Maroons are pretty solid in terms of selections when compared to the Blues, but Slater isn't putting too much weight on that.

"We can't just turn up and expect the continuity of the team and being familiar with the number on your back and being their last game, it's not just gonna happen for us.

"You've got to earn ever situation, every moment and that's what we'll be chasing."

North Queensland back rower Jeremiah Nanai has been recalled in place of Origin rookie Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

Nanai was a game-winner for the Cowboys on Saturday against the Panthers and Slater says it was good to see but he already knew what the 23-year-old could do.

"I learnt nothing from the weekend's game that I didn't already know about Jeremiah Nanai."

As for Finefeuiaki …

"They're tough conversations. Kuli's developed so much in the last 18 months. I still think there's some growth in his game. I've got no doubt he'll be a member of this footy team in the future."

Billy Slater is backing Pat Carrigan to play despite a truncated injury lay-off after ankle surgery.

"He leaves no stone unturned in his preparation, whether he's injured or not.

"He's done really well with his rehab. If Pat Carrigan wasn't in this footy team he'd be looking to play for the Broncos this weekend."

Slater says it's "a fair call" to say there's risk in picking Carrigan after a month off the field and says Lindsay Collins wasn't quite right after his concussion on Friday night.

Game day would have just been outside the mandatory lay-off but Slater said Collins wasn't going to be ready to train fully and then play.

The Queensland coach has made some calls that require some explaining.

Primarily, will he give any hints as to his line-up after naming a 20-man squad for the first time this series.

State of Origin III will be Pat Carrigan's first game in over a month after Billy Slater recalled the Broncos middle forward for the decider.

Carrigan injured his ankle in Brisbane's round 13 loss to the Dragons and underwent surgery, with the club saying he would be out for six weeks.

(NRL.com)

In fairness, despite the NRL website listing his return as round 20 (we've just completed round 17) Origin III will mark five-and-a-half weeks since the injury occurred.

And the Broncos still haven't won a game since.

Carrigan came off the bench in Game I, just four days before he was injured, and I imagine the uncertainty about his injury is why Corey Horsburgh is in the squad.

I assume he will come in if Carrigan can't make it to game day.

Prop and Slater favourite Lindsay Collins misses out due to a concussion he suffered on Friday night.

Here's how the Maroons lined up in Melbourne:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Rob Toia
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Jojo Fifita
6. Cameron Munster
7. Sam Walker
8. Tom Flegler
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa'sauamaleaui
11. Briton Nikora
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Max Plath
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. Trent Loiero
18. Reece Walsh*
19. Murray Taulagi*
20. Heilum Luki*

* Squad members but did not play

I know this is a blog about the Maroons' team, but before they're named, let's dive into the Blues' announcement from last night.

(Getty)

NSW coach Laurie Daley made about half a dozen changes (depending how you count) from the team that lost Game II so comprehensively.

Dylan Lucas was dumped with Haumole Olakau'atu recalled to the bench, Liam Martin and Blayke Brailey were drafted back in after returning from injury, Victor Radley drops out, centres Tolu Koula and Kotoni Staggs were axed for Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton.

But the biggest call was dropping winger Brian To'o for debutant Jack Bostock.

To'o has been the first name on the team sheet for five years, named in 17 straight Origin games since making his debut in 2021, and winning the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW's best player in the 2025 and 2023 series.

"He's given great service to NSW, and I'm sure he'll be back, but just for this game we just needed to make that change," Daley said.

To'o is the Blues' equal leading try-scorer and a constant source of massive running metres and tackle busts, but a couple of lapses appear to have cost him his spot.

He had an uncharacteristically error-riddled outing in Game I and even made a couple in Game II, but the more telling moments came in defence at the MCG and against the Cowboys on Saturday.

(Getty)

In a world full of enormous wingers, the stocky To'o has always managed to use his strength and body position to hold his own in aerial contests, but Jojo Fifita easily leapt over him in broken play for a try in Origin II.

On Saturday, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai both had their moments in contests with To'o, including Nanai's game-sealing try.

Bostock shouldn't have such issues and it is a bold decision to drop one of NSW's greatest for a decider like this.

If it goes well, Daley will be hailed but it will be looked back on very unfavourably if the Blues go down next Wednesday at Lang Park.

Here's the squad Laurie Daley named last night:

1. James Tedesco
2. Jack Bostock (debut)
3. Bradman Best
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Reece Robson
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Hudson Young
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Cameron Murray
15. Addin Fonua-Blake
16. Haumole Olakau'atu
17. Blayke Brailey
18. Ethan Strange
19. Tolu Koula
20. Victor Radley

For the third straight game we've had a new arrangement of the teams being named, with NSW going first last night and only the Queensland Maroons to be named this morning.

But last night's Blues announcement was another doozy, so we'll unpack that a bit before Billy Slater's side is revealed at 8am AEST followed by a press conference.

Let's get into it.