Cameron Smith makes surprise hooker pick for Queensland's State of Origin opener

Queensland icon Cameron Smith says he wouldn't pick Harry Grant as his first-choice No.9 for the upcoming Origin series, backing another rising star to seize the jersey last worn by retired Roosters star Jake Friend.

Grant has been sensational for much of his 23-game NRL career and he broke open last year's Origin decider after being injected off the bench with the series still on a knife's edge.

Yet his scintillating representative debut has been followed by a frustrating return to the Melbourne Storm this season, limited to just five of the first 10 games due to injuries.

Grant is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and is scheduled to return to the Storm line-up for next Thursday night's clash with the Broncos, which looms as his final chance to convince Maroons selectors of his fitness.

However, even if he gets through that match unscathed, his ex-Storm skipper Smith wouldn't be picking him to start in the series opener.

Instead, Smith suggested that Grant be retained in his role on the bench, allowing Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney to make his Queensland debut in the No.9 jersey.

"I didn't think (Mahoney) was that far away last year," Smith said on his new SEN radio show, The Captain's Run.

"He's been playing some wonderful football over the past three years for Parramatta, and he's a big reason why they've been up the top of the ladder and in a position to play finals footy.

"He's a competitor … it's an interesting situation given the result last year."

Smith added that Mahoney's toughness and match fitness gave him the edge over Grant, who is the better suited player of the two to do damage off the bench once the NSW defensive line starts to fatigue.

Now 23, Mahoney has been arguably Parramatta's most consistent player in a nine-win season that has them sitting in second place on the ladder, just two points behind the undefeated Panthers.

He has already racked up 10 Dally M votes, making him 2021's best-performed Queenslander in the NRL by that measure.

"Right now, given Harry has only played the five games - he didn't play the start of the year with a knee injury, he's now off the park with a hamstring injury - and Reed's played every game this year and playing really well, you'd probably start with Reed," Smith said.

"You'd start with Reed, he's tough … he's made 60-odd tackles plenty of times in his career, it's going to take that in the Origin arena.

"He's got great service from dummy-half, he's got a pretty good running game and a kicking game as well.

"He's got all the threats there, then you bring a Harry Grant onto the field just before half-time.

"He can come on, use his silky skills and his craft and try and tear apart the Blues."