Phil Gould is convinced that Cameron Smith's return to State of Origin "will happen" given Queensland's lack of options at hooker.
Injuries to Jake Friend and Andrew McCullough have left coach Kevin Walters with a tough decision to make for game one on June 5.
Cowboys rake Jake Granville is an option, while it's been suggested Broncos forward Josh McGuire could start the game there and then be replaced by Dragons half Ben Hunt.
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Speaking on 100% Footy, proud New South Welshman Gould said he'd welcome that strategy.
"God I hope they do that. I really hope they do that," Gould said.
Though Gould said he is growing more certain that Smith, who played 42 Origins for his state, will come out of rep retirement.
"They will leave us hanging until the 11th hour and I'm getting the gut feel, not just that he will play, he has to play. They've got no one else" Gould said.
"There's too much noise. He's gonna do it. He will play.
"At hooker he can get by, he can go and play his Cameron Smith game and it won't be near as physically taxing as what Paul Gallen would have to do if he went back and played in his position.
"I first thought it was no chance, I'm now saying 'it will happen'."
One man who was more often than not on the wrong side of the Origin scoreboard to Smith-led Queensland teams was Paul Gallen, and the Sharks veteran said the legendary hooker could single-handedly turn the series in the Maroons' favour.
"He could be the difference, a genuine between them winning and losing, he's that good," Gallen said.
"He hasn't lost one but of anything - his control on the field, his defence is still strong - he could do it if he wanted to and I hope as a New South Welshman he doesn't play."
Walters has said he won't be making the SOS to Smith, though if the legendary number nine did make himself available, he'd be mad to knock him back.
The likes of Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga have joined the chorus of Queenslanders calling for the comeback and Smith didn't completely rule it out.
Stranger things have happened.
