Origin hopefuls

30 days from State Of Origin and the annual debate of who will lead the Blues to an elusive victory seems to have been dragging on for months.

With two games in Sydney and players who can match Queensland across the park there is a great sense of timing and optimism for NSW fans.

I have been racking my own brain trying to figure out what line-up Laurie Daley will take to ANZ stadium in four weeks time.

Lets run through the candidates.

Fullback - If Brett Stewart is fit I believe he will get the nod. He scored three tries in the 2012 series and is a great asset to any team he plays in. Great speed and the ability to snuff out a try when his team mates need one are just some of his good qualities.

I wouldn't rule out Jarryd Hayne pushing to fullback if Stewart is unfit. His defence against the Cowboys showed a big improvement. He plays in a team of reserve graders every week which makes his job difficult. A veteran of 15 Origin games he will be in the side as a winger at the very least.

Wingers - The Blues have a few good options they can use here. Jarryd Hayne will take one of the wing spots so it comes down to Brett Morris, Nathan Merritt, Akuila Uate and Blake Ferguson.

If Brett Morris is fit, following last nights game vs Manly, he will be on the wing.

If he isn't there I think Nathan Merritt will make his long overdue debut. The best try scorer of his generation surely has to get a start if Morris can't take his place. Consistent performer who will not let the team down.

Uate and Ferguson are both enigmatic and can win you a game on pure ability. Uate is still suspect in defence and under the high ball so I dont think he will see any action this series.

Ferguson has stormed into calculation after an outstanding game against the Storm. He will play Origin in the future and it could possibly be on the wing this year. Speed, strength and a hell of a lot of confidence makes him hard to ignore.

Centres -  Michael Jennings and Josh Morris will fill the three quarter line. Jennings has been irresistible since moving to Bondi and Morris is a vital cog in defence lining up against Greg Inglis. Both have done the job before and I will be shocked if they both aren't there.

Halves -  James Maloney is said to be the front runner for the five-eighth position but Todd Carney's form since returning for the Sharks has been great. John Sutton has been in excellent form but I can't see him getting picked ahead of Maloney or Carney. Same can be said for Josh Reynolds.

Mitchell Pearce is a certainty to be playing halfback but Adam Reynolds is breathing right down his neck. Only an injury to Pearce would see Reynolds make his debut this year but he will feature in future series.

Props - James Tamou is also another certain starter for the team with his outstanding form continuing on from last year. Aaron Woods, Tim Grant, Trent Merrin, Willie Mason and even Paul Gallen are contending for spots in the engine room.

You may raise your eyebrows when I mention Mason but watching him closely over the last year it's hard not to be impressed. He still punches out numbers that rival any front rower he comes up against but most of all he brings confidence to those around him. Laurie Daley is a Mason fan and I can see him playing off the bench.

Tim Grant is the incumbent starter from last year and did very well. His form in a struggling side has also been good and his aggression is something needed in Origin. Look at his first run on Origin debut and you see what he is capable of.

Aaron Woods, along with Robbie Farah, has been the only constant in a depleted Tigers side. He aims up every week and is the front rower every coach would love to have in their team. Capable of playing big minutes as well.

Merrin has to be picked somewhere in the team. He has been the best forward for the Dragons and his switch to lock has made him more versatile. I believe he will play from the bench due to his new found versatility.

Daley is thinking of playing Gallen up front so he can have all his star backrowers in the team. It has worked before.

This is where the game can be won or lost. Its crucial Daley gets the right mix.

Back Row - This is where an advantage lies for the Blues. Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen, Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart have all performed well in the past and will do so again.

The first four are certainties to make the team because Stewart has only just come back for the Sea Eagles and has said himself he lacks match fitness. I think Gallen will play at lock with Watmough and Bird to fill the other starting positions.

Lewis adds great impact from the bench with his best performances usually happening from this position.

They all offload the football well and create chances. If the Blues win the series it's likely one of these men will be player of the series.

Hooker - Robbie Farah is the only dummy half to be considered. Was the best player last year and will be a major player in 2013.

Kurt Gidley will come into consideration as a utility player/dummy half replacement.

So now lets see who I would go with come game one.

1. B. Stewart
2. B. Morris
3. M. Jennings
4. J. Morris
5. J. Hayne
6. T. Carney
7. M. Pearce
8. J. Tamou
9. R. Farah
10. T. Grant
11. A. Watmough
12. G. Bird
13. P. Gallen (C)
14. K. Gidley (need a player who can fill a number of spots)
15. T. Merrin
16. L. Lewis
17. A. Woods

This is my side who I think can get the job done.

Discuss.