Maroons’ luck changes before opener

MELBOURNE: For the first time before tonight’s State of Origin opener in Melbourne, Queensland coach Kevin Walters could not believe his good fortune.

Walters’ luck looked like it had gone from bad to worse after star winger Dane Gagai became the latest worry when he suffered a compound dislocated finger while training at the MCG yesterday.

Yet Walters felt like a charmed man after Gagai received prompt treatment at the ground from a visiting Maroons fan who just happened to be a hand specialist.

Walters was confident the quick action by the Queensland supporter — orthopaedic surgeon Darren Merchant — had provided Gagai hope he would play barely 24 hours later.

After consulting Merchant, Gagai returned to training with his hand taped and completed the session.

‘‘We were very fortunate to have a hand specialist there so he

quickly got him into the dressing room and had a look at it,’’ Walters said.

While Queensland are awaiting the results of Gagai’s Xrays, it is believed his finger injury is similar to that suffered earlier this

year by Penrith’s Trent Merrin, who returned to the field a week later after undergoing surgery.

Walters was due some good luck after a nightmare start to life without retired Maroons greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thur

ston and Cooper Cronk.

Already without a total of 151 Origin games of experience, Queensland was reeling from veteran fullback Billy Slater’s shock withdrawal on Monday with a hamstring injury.

Now Walters is keeping his fingers crossed for more good news as he sweats on Gagai’s Xray results.

‘‘I don’t think there’s any break there but obviously he is in a fair bit of pain,’’ Walters said .

‘‘He came back out and trained with us and finished off the session. That was a positive for Gags and the team.’’

Walters did not rule out Gagai playing with a hand brace tonight. — AAP