Don\u2019t count your tiny Reece Walsh-shaped eggs before they hatch.<\/p>\n
Queensland\u2019s State of Origin selection picture has been thrown into chaos after a devastating injury blow ruled out three key Maroons contenders \u2013 potentially opening the door for a shock Walsh recall.<\/p>\n
Billy Slater is facing a major selection headache ahead of Origin II in Melbourne after Broncos stars Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki were both injured in Brisbane\u2019s loss to St George Illawarra on Sunday, joining halfback Tom Dearden on the sidelines.<\/p>\n
Carrigan suffered a syndesmosis injury that is expected to keep him out for up to a month, while Shibasaki damaged his MCL and could miss the remainder of the Origin series.<\/p>\n
The injuries leave Slater without three members of his wider Origin plans just weeks after Queensland fell 1-0 behind in the series following their Game I defeat.<\/p>\n
The latest setback has sparked renewed calls for Walsh to be brought back into the Maroons fold.<\/p>\n
The Broncos fullback was one of the biggest omissions when Slater named his squad for the series opener, with Kalyn Ponga preferred at fullback and Walsh overlooked after an interrupted season that included a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone.<\/p>\n
At the time, Slater admitted leaving Walsh out was a difficult call, praising the 22-year-old\u2019s impact during Queensland\u2019s victorious 2023 campaign but declaring Ponga\u2019s form impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen Reece play at this level and we know what he\u2019s capable of,\u201d Slater said before Game I.<\/p>\n
Now, circumstances may force a rethink.<\/p>\n
Shibasaki\u2019s injury has created a vacancy on the extended bench, while Ezra Mam\u2019s struggles for form have only strengthened the argument for Walsh\u2019s return as a utility option.<\/p>\n
The Broncos star had a mixed game in last week\u2019s loss to the Dragons, drawing criticism for his defensive performance but setting up two late tries as Brisbane launched a comeback after trailing by 22 points.<\/p>\n
Veteran journalist Robert Craddock argued in the Courier Mail on Tuesday that Queensland should take the gamble.<\/p>\n
\u201cQueensland are one down in the series. They need an injection of stardust,\u201d Craddock wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalsh may be below his best, but can you imagine the snap and crackle he could provide coming on with 15 minutes to play in Melbourne?\u201d<\/p>\n
Craddock argued a week in Origin camp under Slater \u2014 regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks the game has produced \u2014 could be exactly what Walsh needs to rediscover his best football.<\/p>\n
Former NRL player and commentator Justin Horo has also questioned Queensland\u2019s decision to leave Walsh out of the Game I squad altogether.<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine if he has Reece Walsh instead of Shibasaki or Ezra on the bench,\u201d Horo said on SEN.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t tell me honestly, you would not have preferred Reece Walsh to come on the field with 20 minutes to go in that game.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Walsh\u2019s chances appear to be improving, Slater still has significant holes to fill elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Carrigan\u2019s absence leaves Queensland searching for another middle forward, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Heilum Luki, Tom Gilbert, Corey Horsburgh and Moeaki Fotuaika among the players expected to come under consideration.<\/p>\n
But as the Maroons attempt to save their series, all eyes will be on whether Slater turns back to one of Queensland\u2019s most electrifying talents in a desperate bid to level the contest.<\/p>\n