The Maroons have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Reece Walsh, which is all the more powerful due to the uncertainty on when or if he’ll be utilised at the MCG.

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That’s the belief of former NRL star James Graham, who says Walsh would currently be providing “mental stress” for the Blues.

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Walsh has been named in the No. 18 jersey and is no certainty to even play, with coach Billy Slater not giving anything away when asked ad nausuem this week what the livewire fullback’s role will be.

“I can’t tell you in short (if he’ll play)… We know he’s a great player and if needed, he’s going to do a great job in whatever position,” a coy Slater said during Tuesday’s joint Origin press conference.

Graham urged Slater to make the most of Walsh’s presence and keep the Blues guessing.

“If I was Slater, I’d be asking Reece to go for a jog up the sideline. He’ll be providing mental stress (for NSW),” Graham said on NRL360.

“They’ll be thinking about when he’s going to come on or what position will he play. Reece Walsh is living rent-free in every New South Wales middle forward’s head.”

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Former Blues halfback Craig Gower added that Walsh may not be in the best of form at the minute, but that can turn quickly.

“You know with Reece, it’s all about his unpredictability and his speed but at the moment he’s rocks and diamonds which is the worrying thing. But you get him in a Queensland jersey, he does his one good thing and that propels his confidence,” Gower said.

The state of the game will ultimately factor into whether Walsh sees the field or when.

According to a Maroons legend, Slater should take any opportunity he can to inject the superstar.

“I think if there’s a HIA anywhere in their team, I think he comes straight on… Say there’s one in the 34th minute and you can use him for six minutes before half time, do it,” Tallis said.

“I think between he and Kalyn (Ponga), they’ll share it (fullback).”

That comment led NRL360 host Braith Anasta to warn: “If I’m Queensland and you have Reece and Kalyn on at the same time, I think that’ll be (dangerous).”