KIERSTEN DUKE: Reece Walsh form of great concern, while Bradman Best apt Latrell Mitchell Origin replacement

Something is rotten in the State of Queensland – and I‘m not talking about the possible Game III officiating tonight (yes I’m a Blues fan).

The Broncos have suffered six losses on the trot, the latest a painful 30-26 defeat to the rapidly rising Dragons.

Last year’s grand final feels like a decade, not a year ago, for Brisbane who are in all sorts of strife.

The Broncos always do it tough during Origin with anywhere from a handful to half a dozen players playing for Queensland but are the four players donning Maroon in 2024, worth about $3 million a year, really the reason the club is wallowing? I don’t think so.

In comparison, the Storm may have only lost Harry Grant and Xavier Coates to Origin but they’ve also been playing without Munster due to injury and they are top of the table.

The Panthers have a list of players as long as my arm currently in the Blues camp. They’ve also been playing without Nathan Cleary (who returns this weekend) but have still managed to win four of their last six games.

They’ve been winning games with players I’ve not even heard of. Either I’ve been living under a rock and these kids coming through are the next big thing or it just reinforces that the Broncos have no excuse for their poor efforts.

You can use Origin as an excuse until you’re blue in the face (excuse the pun) but it’s obvious that there’s a deeper problem at Brisbane. Reece Walsh hasn’t appeared to be himself since the Origin opener and played in Game II like he was still concussed.

His teammate and good friend Pat Carrigan spoke about how Walsh’s daughter Leila has an amazing affect on him, keeping him calm and out of trouble. She seems to have a strong presence for such a little human, so hopefully for the sake of the Maroons she’s spent plenty of time around camp during the past week.

The calming presence will well and truly be required because Game III is set to be a nailbiter. With the series 1-1, it all comes down to this. Even the bookies can’t split them, but Queensland are the slight favourites at $1.80, while NSW are paying an even $2.

Coming off a humiliating defeat in Game II, Queensland made plenty of changes with Kalyn Ponga to come off the bench as the Maroons X-factor man.

After spending 11 weeks on the sideline with a foot injury, Ponga returned in round 18 to contribute to the Knights’ electric 16- 12 victory over the Raiders. Feeling fresh, fit and coming off the back of a win, Ponga could be the explosion of energy and confidence required off the bench that could get the Maroons over the line. Risky perhaps given he has just only come back from injury but in my eyes that’s what Origin is all about – taking a punt.

Will the risk be worth the reward? Personally, I hope not as I’m backing the Blues.

The Blues losing Latrell Mitchell to injury is massive. The Souths fullback had an enormous impact in Game II and seemed to have really regained his spark.

On his way out of the NSW camp Mitchell gave his replacement centre, Bradman Best, some words of encouragement, leaving a real spring in the Knights star’s step.

Bradman might not be Latrell but what he brings to the Blues side is a strong work ethic and power in the centres.

Last year Best made his Origin debut in Game III, knocking everyone’s socks off and scoring two meat pies. With the ability he showed in his debut, I have every faith he will do NSW proud in the biggest Origin showdown in a generation.