Cowboy champing at the bit

IT has been almost 300 days since Josh McGuire last ran out to play on his home field.

Through suspension and the COVID-19 saga, McGuire (pictured) has not played at home since the Cowboys’ loss to his former side, the Broncos in last year’s derby.

To say he is excited about walking out on to field at Queensland Country

Bank Stadium tunnel to play the Titans next Friday is an understatement, though the hard-as-nails prop says he will miss a raucous crowd in the stands.

“(It is a) little bit disappointing that there is no fans ... but I am just excited to get to stay home and play some footy ... it has been a long couple of months stuck at home,” he said.

After McGuire missed the Round 1 showdown with the Broncos this year, his return in Round 2 against the Bulldogs helped deliver a win for the Cowboys.

The 30-year-old appeared to be out to prove a point.

While Queensland is producing some of the most exciting forward stocks of the past decade, including David Fifita, Jai Arrow and Tom Flegler, McGuire hopes he is not done with the game’s highest honour, playing State of Origin.

Players have only 18 rounds to push their selection claims, but McGuire believes some may already be ahead in the race.

“Any opportunity to wear the maroon jersey, it is going to be exciting ... obviously playing good footy always counts for something,” he said.

“I am pretty sure (Queensland coach) Kevvie (Walters) will have a fair idea who he is going with and what will work.”