The axe has fallen on the Axe.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters has gone against the Maroons’ famous pick and stick policy by dumping former Origin star Trevor Gillmeister from his coaching staff.
Instead, Walters has drafted in Queensland Origin greats Justin Hodges, Petero Civoniceva, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater for next year’s Origin series.
It’s what the coach calls a ‘fresh approach’ after losing the 2018 series to the resurgent Blues.
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Hodges will join as an assistant coach, while Civoniceva comes in as a team manager.
The recently retired duo of Thurston and Slater will be involved in a coaching and mentoring capacity throughout different stages of the series.
Walters admitted to some sadness in cutting Gillmeister and long-time trainer Tony Spencer.
"Trevor Gillmeister is a Queensland legend and Tony has worked tirelessly with the team for nearly 20 years as a trainer," Walters said.
"They have been great servants, but I just felt that the time was right to get fresh faces in and around the team with the next generation of players coming through."
Melbourne Storm’s Matthew Barradeen is the new trainer, while Hodges replaces Josh Hannay.
Hodges, Civoniceva, Thurston and Slater played 125 games for Queensland between them.
The first game in next year's series will be played at Suncorp Stadium on June 5 before heading to Perth for the first time for game two on June 23.
The series will conclude in Sydney on July 10.