Phil Gould reveals how Bulldogs 'niggler' could help Billy Slater's Maroons to bounce back in game two

Maroons coach Billy Slater is set to make some tough decisions to make sure his Queensland squad remain in contention to lift the State of Origin shield in 2025.

A dominant win by the NSW Blues marked the second consecutive loss for the Maroons on their home turf at Suncorp Stadium, with ill-discipline proving to be a major concern.

With Queensland falling short of victory last season and the Blues now ahead 1-0 over their rivals, Phil Gould has noted a change that could benefit the Maroons in game two.

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While many have called for a decision to be made on veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans' future with Queensland, Gould pointed to the work of Harry Grant.

Grant finished the match with an 86 per cent tackle efficiency and five dummy half runs.

"Harry Grant, his best performances with Queensland have been coming off the bench," Gould said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus.

"Dearden came on and showed some flash but can he be out there for the first 25 minutes and make 20 tackles when they keep running at him with the ball and still be able to give that bit of flare?

"I think if I was Queensland, I don't think Ben Hunt is going to be available so I would be looking to a Reed Mahoney to start the game for them, to get them into the game and do a lot of the hack work early.

"He has a kicking game which could be advantageous and he has a running game, he can roll the forwards and get them going.

"He is a busy, eager defender and puts a lot of pressure on other players. Then you would have Harry to come on fresh, that would be the first thing that I'm think of [to change]."

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The likes of J'Maine Hopgood and Max Plath were also floated as possible contenders to receive a callup for game two.

Although, Gould stood firm that Mahoney should be the man called up.

"J'Maine Hopgood is one of those Queensland players that I would have no fear of playing because he has a high work rate in him," Gould said.

"But Reed Mahoney has a hell of a lot more experience at club level than those two blokes. He has been in the Origin camp before but hasn't played yet.

"He is also a niggler and in the face of the opposition. He can get them distracted and put them off their game, which is what he does really well.

"If he can get through the early part of the game and then give Harry Grant an opportunity to come into the game when others are tired and fatigue has come into the contest, well I think that's all well and good.

"Harry had to do far too much hack work to have the impact that they needed later."