It's billed as mate against mate and for Canberra star Josh Papalii this year's State of Origin series could finally live up to its tag-line.
The Raiders have not had a foot in both Origin camps for six years, when Blake Ferguson and David Shillington squared off in the 2013 series.
Papalii is set to add to his 12 games for Queensland and be one of the first named for the Maroons on the back of his stellar form over the opening 10 weeks of the season.
However, he could be coming up against any number of his club teammates with Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton and Jarrod Croker all mentioned as possible Blues players.
"With the boys who have had their names put up it's not a good thing for Queensland with guys like (Nick) Cotric and Jack (Wighton) coming through. They're quality players who can do some damage," Papalii said.
"When that (Origin) week comes around I sort of do (get a life) but anything can happen in a week.
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"I'm just looking forward to this Cowboys game to be honest and if I do get in I'll be looking forward to playing a few of my Queensland teammates this weekend."
Croker has never pushed his claims for a Blues jersey himself, preferring to focus on being one of the most consistent centres in the Telstra Premiership.
However, with injuries hitting the right centre positions hard in the lead up to the Origin opener on June 5, the 28-year-old has been mentioned for a move to the opposite side of the field.
"I just enjoy playing my footy and enjoying the way the teams been going and the culture we've built down here," Croker said.
"We've got some guys who have their name in the mix and deservedly so and if I'm one of them then I'd be grateful for that."
There has been a ground-swell of support for Croker to make his Blues debut this season, with a Twitter account @CrokerforOrigin calling on NSW coach Brad Fittler to name the 28-year-old.
"I don't know who put that on, I thought it might have been one of my mates from Goulburn," he said.
"It would be a dream come true and I would like nothing more than that, I think there's a few boys who are pushing for spots and well-deserved for those guys but I would be more than happy to get a run."
If multiple Raiders are selected this season, it would present a welcome headache for the club as they juggle the absence of several stars.
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However, with the emergence of budding young stars such as Hudson Young, Corey Horsburgh and Bailey Simonsson, Canberra should have the depth to make it through the Origin period.
"That's great for us as a club and if we do lose Papa and blokes like that, it's fantastic for them because it's a massive achievement to be picked in Origin," co-captain Josh Hodgson said.
"For those younger blokes like Nick when they go to Origin camps they come back and you can see they have more of an air of confidence around them.
"It's nice to see it and hopefully we have a few of them in there, because it's good for us as a club it shows we've got a lot of players heading in the right direction in terms of their personal careers."
