QUEENSLAND have historically built their Origin success around loyalty to incumbents and I can't see that changing when the Maroons name their team for the series opener early next week.

Barring injury, the backline will be the same as the one that contested the recent Trans-Tasman Test.

The front-row of Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith and Steve Price also picks itself leaving only the make-up of the back-row and bench to be debated.

In last year's series decider, Nate Myles and Ash Harrison manned the back-row, with Dallas Johnson at lock. The bench was Billy Slater, Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday and Michael Crocker.

Slater might well start at fullback in this year's series, but Karmichael Hunt will be on the bench. Who starts between those two matters little.

The form of Ben Hannant and Sam Thaiday is as good as last year if not better, so they will demand at the very least bench positions. Myles and Harrison have also been going strongly, while Johnson is a proven Origin performer.

That leaves only one spot open, the final bench spot filled last series by Crocker.

While the former Storm hard man made an encouraging return to the NRL with the Rabbitohs on Sunday, you would imagine Queensland selectors will want him to play more than two games before picking him for Origin I. He could come into the reckoning at some stage, but probably later in the series.

For mine Corey Parker is the forward knocking hardest at the door for an Origin recall.

Early season injuries haven't been kind to Parker over the past few years, but having shifted to lock he has been the Broncos' best and most consistent forward this campaign.

He has played 80 minutes in every match, which is a huge benefit at Origin time. His workrate has been first class and while he spends most of his time on the fringes he hasn't been afraid to get his hands dirty in the middle when his team has needed him.

Incumbency is an important factor but so too is form and Parker's performances are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The other factor the Queensland selectors will be tossing up this series is whether they need to start blooding a few players for future campaigns.

While Queensland caps must always be earned there could be an argument that with the core of Mal Meninga's side having been so stable for the past three years will the next generation be ready when called upon?

Ideally you could wrap up the series in the opening two games and then introduce a few new faces in Game Three, but given the first two matches are in Melbourne and Sydney respectively that would appear a big ask.

Also if this team wraps up a historic fourth consecutive series it would be cruel to then look elsewhere for what would be a triumphant victory lap in Game Three at Suncorp Stadium.

The last round of the NRL before the team is named is always tricky for Origin hopefuls.

Guys on the fringe know they have little choice but to rip and tear in an effort to convince selectors of their claims, but guys who have proved themselves can sometimes be tempted to try to coast through and avoid injury or suspension. In my mind that was always a dangerous approach.