KEVIN Walters says Darius Boyd now has a mortgage on the Maroons No.1 jumper that will see him recognised as one of the great fullbacks of the modern era in the strongest hint yet that Billy Slater’s Origin career is over.

Boyd exploded into life during the second half of Queensland’s series clinching win at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, laying on two crucial tries with the sleight-of-hand that has long been his hallmark at NRL level.

The Broncos custodian has forced his way into the Maroons and Kangaroos fullback roles ahead of Greg Inglis this year following another season ending injury to Slater.

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The Storm champion has vowed to return to the highest level in 2017, though at 33, arguably the greatest fullback of all-time has also admitted he faces a long road back from a second shoulder reconstruction that threatens to end his career.

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But even if the Maroons icon does come back next season, Walters conceded Boyd’s exceptional form since moving to the back could keep the likes of Slater and Inglis, as well as in form contenders Ben Barba, Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes at bay for years to come.

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Asked if he’d be able to shift Boyd back to the wing Walters responded: “Not the way he’s been going, he’s really claimed ownership of that fullback spot.

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“We lost Billy Slater from last year’s series and for (Boyd) to come in under a whole lot of pressure and produce the football he has shows the quality of him.

“He’s already played 20 Origin games, and long-term he’ll go down as one of the greats. He already has been to be honest.”

Boyd has been derided for his contributions in the Origin arena in the past.

The contention being anyone could stand outside Johnathan Thurston and Inglis on Queensland’s dominant left edge and add to their try tally at will.

But since following Wayne Bennett home to Brisbane last season and coming out the other side of a much publicised battle with depression, Boyd is the NRL’s leading fullback and producing the kind of form that delivered a Clive Churchill medal en route to a 2010 title with Dragons.

Now with 25 Origin appearances to his name and his 16 four-pointers second only to the 17 scored by Inglis, Walters predicted Boyd’s exploits in the No.1 jumper will see him acknowledged as a true Maroons great by the end of his career.

“Maybe in the public side of things he is underestimated,” Walters said.

“But certainly not within this team and this group, we know what he’s going to produce when it matters most.

“In game one he was one of our best players and it was the same again here.

“He’s just so safe, there’s not a mistake around him and from a coaching point of view it’s great to have a player you can trust like that and rely upon.

“His maturity is the biggest difference. He’s blossoming into (becoming) one of the great fullbacks of the modern era and not only is he helping himself these days, but he’s helping the players around him.

“That’s a sign of someone who’s real quality and he’s been one of our best this series.”

The writer is on Twitter @dan—walsh64

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