EXCLUSIVE: Sam Thaiday's bold call as luckless Cowboys gun enters Origin selection mix

Queensland great Sam Thaiday has delivered a bold call heading into this year's State of Origin series, pushing for a luckless Cowboys gun to enter the selection mix.

Thaiday played 29 games for the Maroons and was part of the side's eight-straight series triumphs, etching his name into Origin folklore.

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And while he spends a large portion of his time now cheering on the Broncos, a player from a rival club has certainly caught his attention.

Speaking on Wide World Of Sports' QLDER this week, Thaiday revealed the young bolter who could be "waiting on a phone call" from coach Billy Slater next month.

"After really sitting there and watching in the stands and watching this player on the weekend against the Broncos - I think Tom Chester will be involved or be part of Queensland's State of Origin squad this year," he said.

"As a centre, he has been really good. Robert Toia and Gehamat Shibasaki are the incumbents, but I think the way Tom Chester has been playing this year is really good.

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"I think he's been up there as one of the best backs for the Cowboys and in a big game in front of a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium [against Brisbane] … he really stood up.

"He might be knocking on the door and waiting on a phone call from Billy Slater."

Chester was one of North Queensland's most highly-touted young stars a number of years ago and appeared destined for NRL stardom when he debuted in 2022.

The talented backline utility has overcome a horror run with injuries that included ACL ruptures in 2023 and 2024 that limited him to just a dozen games.

But since returning and locking down a centre position in Todd Payten's side this year, Chester has entered a purple patch of form.

In his five appearances this year, Chester has made four linebreaks, crossed for two tries and averaged 184 run metres per game as the Cowboys surge up the ladder.

Perhaps even more importantly when it comes to Origin discussions is Chester's work in defence, making 80 tackles in five games and missing just nine.

While he could be seen as an outside chance of bolting into Slater's squad, what could work in Chester's advantage is the lack of viable centre candidates ahead of him.

"That's an area we don't have a lot of depth in, so they're always on the lookout for up-and-coming centres," Nine reporter Adam Jackson said.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will likely be one of the centres, but the jury is out on the other.

Toia is the likely front-runner after a stellar debut series for the Maroons, while the likes of Shibasaki, AJ Brimson and Jaxon Purdue could be in the mix.

Chester's ability to cover anywhere in the backline could make him an option for the six-man bench as well, should his form continue in the coming weeks.

The series will kick off on Wednesday, May 27 at Accor Stadium.