KIERSTEN DUKE: Michael Maguire’s Reece Walsh blow-up missed the mark and Blues overlook Cameron McInnes

The only thing better than big (legal) hits in State of Origin is the pre-game mind games.

After being outmanoeuvred by Billy Slater in Game I, though admittedly it’s hard to execute many tactical manoeuvres with 12 men, Michael Maguire fired the first salvo ahead of Game II by accusing Queensland of living in “glass houses” over the Maroons uproar following the Reece Walsh high shot.

It was a good dig, but Madge then failed to reveal what the Maroons were being hypocritical over. A video of Queensland players tipping over Blues players during tackles and other acts of skullduggery, which went unpenalised in the game, then mysteriously circulated to the media.

It was the equivalent of playing Cluedo and declaring the candlestick was used as the murder weapon in the dining room but then withholding who the killer is. C’mon Madge if you got a gripe then let loose!

Where Maguire has let loose is in his selection choices for Game II at the MCG next week and while most were expected there was one that took most of us by surprise.

The squad shake up began when both Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes were dropped, Hynes was always going to struggle to keep his spot by axing McInnes was not expected.

McInnes is known well for his whole-hearted playing style and had solid Origin opener with 41 tackles and no missed tackles. In 2023 he broke the NRL record with 81 tackles against the Panthers in round 22 and regularly puts his body on the line.

“You look like a Chucky doll” Nathan Hindmarsh said of McInnes’ appearance in April when the Sharks thumped Canberra 40-0.

Now from a disfigured Cameron to a Cameron who regularly features in the NRL’s Hottest 100.

The Rabbitoh’s captain is back in the Blues jersey at lock after sitting out Game I due to injury. It will be a slightly nervy watch for Souths fans when you consider he came off the pines in our game against the Broncos on Friday night. In the physios we trust.

Also back from injury is Eels’ star Mitchell Moses who wins the halfback spot after a fractured foot robbed him of that chance in the opener. His game has been the focal point at Parramatta over the last few weeks and since his return the Eels’ form has improved.

When you think of improving form in the NRL there’s just one man who springs to mind. Enter, Latrell Mitchell. One of rugby leagues most damaging players, he has even the toughest opponents shaking in their boots.

He played a crucial role in his team’s win over Brisbane on Friday night, scoring a try, setting up another and breaking six tackles.

There’s nothing that sets fire to your soul quite like seeing Trell with his spark back.

“I’m ready to go to Melbourne and give it to some Queenslanders” - that’s what I’m talking about Trell you legend.

The rugby league community banded together in support of another great Blue over the weekend, Mark Hughes.

It was Beanie for Brain Cancer round where a staggering 135,000 Mark Hughes Foundation beanies were sold, exceeding expectations and raising an astonishing $3.1 million.

Everyone is feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living rise, so it speaks volumes about what a wonderful community rugby league is to play their part in raising money.

Big or small, every act of generosity would have been felt in what can only be described as a staggering success to help support the warriors battling such an awful disease.

I’m proud to be a fan of this sport.