Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister says the current crop of forwards are the best and most bountiful the Maroons have ever had.
That is a massive call from the former captain, back-rower and member of staff in Queensland's State of Origin camps stretching back to the 1980s.
It is why Gillmeister, known as 'The Axe', said coach Billy Slater had a tough job to find a replacement for injured prop Tom Flegler in game three of the series in Sydney on July 12 as the Maroons target a clean sweep.
Gillmeister said the most likely option would be to bring last camp's 19th man Corey Horsburgh into the 17, but he also rates veteran Felise Kaufusi and Parramatta lock J'maine Hopgood highly.
"I said at the start of the series that this is the best group of forwards that I have ever seen for Queensland," Gillmeister told AAP.
"Billy has a lot of options. There are so many blokes putting pressure on other blokes.
"I love Reuben Cotter, who is already in the team of course. He epitomises the Queensland jersey. What needs to be done, he will do it.
"Hopgood is an Origin-style player and he's playing great football. It is a good headache for us."
Horsburgh will play against Gold Coast on Saturday night and a strong display will further the cause of the red-headed raging beast.
"It is a perfect opportunity for Corey to come into the starting team or off the bench," Gillmeister said.
"He's calmed down a bit more with Canberra. He's not emotional and with more games under his belt he is ready.
"As Fatty (Paul Vautin) says, 'Every team needs a ranga in there'. Flegler is a blond-haired ranga. I'm only joking of course but I like Corey as a player."
Dolphins back-rower Kaufusi has missed seven weeks this year with suspension. Gillmeister said he could slot into right edge second-row to allow Cotter to move back to the middle
"I reckon if he didn't have those suspensions Felise would have been in the first Origin," Gillmeister said.
"I agree with Billy that he probably needed a few more games under his belt but no-one would have scratched his name out of the equation.
"If he has a big game against the Broncos you just never know what could happen if there are injuries."
Kaufusi, who has played 14 times for Queensland, is a rugged defender after Gillmeister's heart.
"Felise is tough. He's been there and done that," he said.
"I was lucky enough to have been with him in Maroons camp and he's a good fella off the field as well. You know what you are going to get with him."
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett was also backing the 31-year-old.
"He has paid a hell of a price for his indiscretions," Bennett said.
"He's missed two Origin games when he was part of Queensland's team the last four or five years, and a really successful team. I hope he gets another opportunity."
