The players still vying for State of Origin spots in high-stakes, mouth-watering Magic Round

Up to 75 players who run out this weekend at Magic Round will be doing so with the thought of a potential State of Origin jumper in the back of their mind.

With the teams for NSW and Queensland expected to be named on Monday morning, some of the game's biggest stars will have one last chance to impress coaches Laurie Daley and Billy Slater leading into the series opener.

Many positions are already likely locked in the minds of selectors while others could still be swayed - whether it be the Blues fullback battle between James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards, or the race to replace an injured Tom Dearden at halfback for the Maroons.

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On top of the litany of players who will feature at Suncorp Stadium over the weekend, there are another six players who won't be there but are in Origin calculations.

Raiders trio Hudson Young, Ethan Strange and Corey Horsburgh are all firmly in the mix for selection but have the bye, while Api Koroisau, Kotoni Staggs and Victor Radley are all out suspended but remain genuine live chances to play for NSW in game one.

Wide World of Sports looks at all the players still vying for an Origin spot ahead of the three-day rugby league extravaganza in Brisbane.

Sharks vs Bulldogs, Friday 6pm

When the eligibility rules were changed in the off-season to allow players who represent New Zealand or England to line up in rugby league's marquee event, the two most obvious names who bolted into discussions for a debut were Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora.

Two of Cronulla's best players are able to play for NSW and Queensland respectively, but neither have exactly hammered down a case to be sure-thing selections and will want to put in a quality performance to enhance their hopes.

Their opponents Canterbury have also struggled this season, placing pressure on incumbent Origin stars Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann to retain their positions.

Crichton isn't guaranteed his usual right centre spot for the Blues and could miss out on selection completely, but feels far more likely to play in the series opener than Mann, who has probably fallen down the pecking order for a Maroons bench utility role.

The other player who could still be a hope of playing is Jacob Preston, but the edge forward faces stiff competition and Canterbury's form may have impacted his chances.

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Rabbitohs vs Dolphins, Friday 8pm

The main game on Friday night could be an absolute attacking shootout - but it also has a truckload of potential Origin stars set to feature.

Latrell Mitchell has overcome a back injury and will line up for South Sydney and assuming he gets through Magic Round unscathed, will be an automatic selection.

Two of his teammates - Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi - are both expected to be in the Blues side as well, while outside back Campbell Graham is a huge chance of finally making his debut after a horror run with injuries and taking a vacant wing spot.

The other smoky from Souths is back-rower Tallis Duncan, who has gone from strength-to-strength over the past couple of years, while showing plenty of versatility.

Across the park from them will be Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is a definite selection for the Maroons, while winger Selwyn Cobbo could be back in the mix.

Dolphins forwards Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert will be pushing for spots in Slater's 19-man team after putting a tough run of injuries in the rear-view mirror, while utility Max Plath and barnstorming edge forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are firming for Origin debuts.

Jack Bostock has also emerged as a bolter for NSW despite only returning from a serious knee injury a few weeks ago at club level.

Wests Tigers vs Sea Eagles, Saturday 3pm

As mentioned prior, Tigers skipper Api Koroisau is still a chance of playing Origin, but won't be able to leave a last-minute impression on selectors this weekend.

However, front-rower Terrell May is still a huge chance of earning a debut, while Jarome Luai is behind the eight-ball in the battle to win a halves spot for the Blues but if an injury strikes he'll want to be showing good form to step into calculations.

Manly have one player who is all-but guaranteed a spot in Daley's team in wrecking ball Haumole Olakau'atu, who has found a new lease on life under coach Kieran Foran.

Young speedster Tolu Koula has been floated as a potential wing or six-man bench option, while towering prop Taniela Paseka is an outside chance of NSW selection.

Roosters vs Cowboys, Saturday 5.30pm

This could end up being the match with the most Origin players in it and all eyes will be on the halves from both teams.

Roosters duo Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans are the clear front-runners to slot into the No.7 jersey for Queensland, but there has been growing support for Jake Clifford too after playing a pivotal role for the Cowboys this season.

Plenty has been said about the tight tussle for the NSW fullback spot and James Tedesco will have one last chance to stake his claim for a spot on Saturday night.

Some of his teammates - Reece Robson, Robert Toia, Angus Crichton and Lindsay Collins - are expected to play in the series opener, but incumbents Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson may have slid down the pecking order for the Blues.

The final Roosters player in the mix is veteran winger Daniel Tupou, who was selected in former captain Paul Gallen's team on 100% Footy earlier this week.

Aside from the aforementioned Clifford, a handful of other Cowboys stars are in the running for game one, with both Reuben Cotter and Heilum Luki expected to play.

Jaxon Purdue's name has been spoken about in Origin discussions dating back to last year and he remains a smoky for the Maroons, while hooker Reed Mahoney has been in strong form since joining the club and could end up with a bench spot.

Back-rower Jeremiah Nanai likely would have played for Queensland if not for a shoulder injury, as would winger Murray Taulagi, who remains out of action.

Eels vs Storm, Saturday 7.45pm

Mitchell Moses is the clear front-runner to play five-eighth for NSW in the first game and barring injury or suspension, should be named on Sunday night.

Livewire teammate Josh Addo-Carr is among a stack of names in the mix for a Blues wing spot, while utility Dylan Walker is an outside chance of a bench spot but has probably fallen behind some other names given Parramatta's middling form.

On the other side of the field, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are both clear locks to play for Queensland in game one, but the same can't be said for Trent Loiero.

Front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu played for the Blues last year but doesn't appear to be in many people's team, while centre Jack Howarth is an outside hope of making his debut for the Maroons depending on what Slater does with the wingers.

Titans vs Knights, Sunday 2pm

Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is a definite selection for the Maroons barring injury or suspension, but a handful of his teammates also remain in the mix.

Jojo Fifita has emerged as a potential wing option and AJ Brimson could fill a bench utility role given his ability to cover multiple positions, while young forward Cooper Bai is a genuine smoky despite only playing U19s for his state last year.

Beau Fermor and Moeaki Fotuaika have both played for Queensland in the past but have dropped behind some of their rivals and are unlikely to be picked.

One of the big debates for Slater will be who he selects at fullback and Kalyn Ponga is making a serious case to get the nod, but will be in the team somewhere.

Bradman Best is in the mix for a centre spot with NSW but is likely behind a few others, while Fletcher Sharpe's name has been bandied about for the six-man bench.

Veteran outside back Dane Gagai could be a stop-gap solution at wing or centre for the Maroons in game one, while forwards Jacob Saifiti and Dylan Lucas are outside chances of playing for the Blues despite strong club form early in 2026.

Warriors vs Broncos, Sunday 4.05pm

Warriors front-rowers Mitch Barnett and Jackson Ford are both firmly in contention for NSW, but there may only end up being room for one of them in Daley's side.

In-form playmaker Tanah Boyd is a smoky for the Queensland halfback role, while veteran back-rower Kurt Capewell is never far away from selection.

The forgotten man at the Warriors is hooker Wayde Egan, who is just as good as some of the other options for NSW but rarely has his name mentioned.

Brisbane may have their least amount of Origin players in a while for game one, with lock-forward Patrick Carrigan the only guaranteed selection.

Reece Walsh is still the favourite to play fullback for the Maroons but isn't locked in yet, while incumbent centre Gehamat Shibasaki appears unlikely to be picked.

Ezra Mam and Ben Hunt have been tossed up as potential replacements for Dearden in the halves, but both are probably down the pecking order for now.

Payne Haas would have been a walk-up start for NSW but is out with injury.

Panthers vs Dragons, Sunday 6.25pm

We'll get the obvious out of the way first - Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Isaah Yeo are all surefire locks to play for NSW in the series opener.

However, incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards is not as certain to play in game one and it will come down to the wire between him and Tedesco.

Tom Jenkins is a chance of a wing spot for the Blues, but teammate Casey McLean is also in the mix despite playing centre in club land for Penrith.

Front-rower Lindsay Smith has already represented the Kangaroos and could be a chance of making his debut at Origin level.

For the winless Dragons, the only player anywhere near Origin right now is Valentine Holmes - but his club form has been poor and he even admitted he hadn't done enough to retain his spot in Slater's backline, despite his storied Maroons career.