IS CAMERON SMITH’S EXIT THE END FOR MAROONS?

EACH week The Chronicle sport team looks at some of the bigger issues circulating in the sporting world.

This week Jason, Glen and Sean share some early State of Origin thoughts.

Cameron Smith we know won’t be there, so with no knowledge yet of the team make-ups who would your money go on today in the Origin opener on June 6?

Jason Gibbs: Right now I think New South Wales have their best chance at winning an Origin series in a long time.

And I say that with my head not my Blues’ supporting heart.

I think Cameron Smith’s “retirement” is a hammer blow directly to the heart and soul of the Maroons team.

Life without Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk was going to be tough enough for the Maroons but at least they had plenty of time to prepare for their absence – especially with one of the game’s greatest ever players and captains in their squad.

But Smith’s sudden withdrawal will only destabilise the time.

I’m sure they’ll find a quality hooker to replace Smith but no-one can control a game like the Melbourne Storm rake.

And who will lead them? Billy Slater and Greg Inglis immediately spring to mind but neither of them strike me as quality Origin captains – certainly not the types to lead a side through the fires of Origin.

I think Queensland is a side in chaos – a feeling they’ve rarely experienced.

With that in mind I think the basket-case that is New South Wales may have a shot.

We’re used to chaos so I think if we can pull it together we’re in with a shot.

Hurry up and pick a team Freddy – slightly less chaos may be our only hope.

Glen McCullough: Even before a ball was kicked this season I was feeling a little edgy about Queensland’s hopes of keeping the trophy.

It’s part of a defeatist attitude I hold when it comes to my sporting teams.

I’m just glad the players don’t harbour the same negativity and self doubts.

My thinking is, no matter how successful you’ve been up until now you are only as good as your next game and nor can you keep winning forever.

Murphy’s law says the wheels will eventually fall off.

I’m amazed at what the Maroons have continually achieved over the years, even if I’m not quite sure at times how they’ve managed it.

It was going to be tough enough with JT and Cooper Cronk missing and Smith’s blind-side retirement has sent a shudder through the joint.

But I’ve got to say after watching some footy at the weekend, the cockroaches don’t looked flushed with match winners either.

They have been talking up some of the Dragons forwards like Tariq Sims, Jack de Belin and Paul Vaughan as likely Blues starters for this year’s series.

Well if that’s the case I don’t think the toads have a lot to fear.

Strong, reliable club players they look. But Origin powerhouses? Not so sure about that.

As a matter of fact, this year’s series to my eye looks like being down on superstar input from both sides

Given all that and with Queensland’s Origin hunger — something the roaches still haven’t found — my 10 bucks will be going on the Maroons.

Sean Teuma: It’s a no brainer, the Blues will be comfortably winning this year’s series.

Pinning your hopes on Michael Morgan to replace Jonathan Thurston, particularly with the year he has had, should make Blues fans very confident.

I have no doubt either Andrew McCullough or Ben Hunt could fill the void left by Cameron Smith, they’re both quality platers, but that Melbourne Storm combination that once formed the majority of the Maroons spine is no longer.

You can say that the Blues change players like most people change underwear, but I think Fittler is putting a massive emphasis on form, and it’s why the Blues will be unstoppable this year.

James Maloney has solidified himself as one of the best game managers in the competition, and with a monster forward pack around him it’s hard to see the Maroons picking up two wins, let alone avoiding a clean sweep.

The New South Wales era is about to begin, and I couldn’t be more ready.