JOHNATHAN Thurston and Cooper Cronk haven’t finished haunting the Blues.

The lid has been lifted on Queensland’s scheme to keep the star playmakers heavily involved in the Maroons’ Origin plans for 2018, as Private Ryan takes you behind the scenes of the greatest game of all.

MAROONS DUO RECEIVE OPEN INVITE

Even though Thurston and Cronk have retired from the rep scene, Queensland coach Kevin Walters has issued his most successful halves pairing an invitation to join the team in camp as part of an extended Maroons coaching staff.

It’s a position Thurston accepted last series after injuring his shoulder.

The year prior it was Billy Slater in the role.

While Cronk entering camp will hinge on the Roosters’ green lighting his time off from club land, Walters said he’ll be consulting with the halfback prior to picking his team for the State of Origin series opener.

Cooper Cronk talks to Johnathan Thurston. Source: News Corp Australia

“He’s always welcome,” Walters told Private Ryan of Cronk.

“We won’t close the door on him that’s for sure. I’ll be picking his brain. He’s a great fella and a good Queenslander.

“We had Johnathan and Matt Scott in last year. The experience of those guys is invaluable. For any of our younger players coming through, having those guys around camp gives a lot of confidence to the group.

“It might be just one little thing picked up or seen but Origin is so tight, any advantage you can get is very welcomed and that’s what those guys provide. Any little tips they can pass on is always advantageous for us.”

Having blooded a host of new faces last year, Walters admits loyalty will play a factor when he sits down to select his team.

Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater hold the shield. Source: News Corp Australia

Cameron Munster is an incumbent, while Michael Morgan had a stellar finish to the year which resulted in a Test start in the halves for Australia.

It would appear it’s their jerseys to lose and Walters believes having Thurston involved in the Origin environment will do wonders for Morgan’s continued growth as a player.

“It’s good from a Queensland point of view that Michael has played a lot of football with Johnathan Thurston,” he said.

“I think that’s rubbed off. The way Thurston carries himself has no doubt influenced the way Michael plays but Michael brings his own bit of different play to what Johnathan does.

“Michael had a great finish to last year and you’d expect him to start the year strongly.”

ROOSTER TO WATCH

Look for Roosters youngster Nat Butcher to play a bit of backrow this season.

The former NYC lock has been training in the backrow this year on the right side but trialled on the left.

Nat Butcher of the Roosters is tackled. Source: AAP

The 20-year-old made his NRL debut in 2016 but injury and concussion disrupted season last year has limited him to three first grade appearances.

This year it’s about versatility and flexibility with Trent Robinson looking to call on him throughout the season.

“You never know what can happen in a game,” Butcher said of his conversation with Robinson.

“Players can go down and positions change and if you need to be on in the second row, you need to know your role.”

COMING SOON

Last week we told you about the ‘Hard Knocks’ style documentary series the Wests Tigers have been feeling.

This week we can tell you the first episode will air on Fox League.

The four-part series kicks off on March 7 at 5.30pm.

SPOTTED

Former rugby league player Alex McKinnon. Source: News Corp Australia

Alex McKinnon attends Newcastle training every Tuesday to watch the boys being put through their paces.

“That’s my footy fix for the week,” he told Private Ryan.

“I’m loving being a fan at the moment.”

DID YOU KNOW ...

Brad Fittler has continued to change things up in NSW Origin land with new advisors, new assistants and now a fresh head of performance.

The Blues coach has added Gold Coast head of performance Hayden Knowles to his staff for the 2018 campaign.

OLYMPICS SKILLS IF NRL DREAM FADES

Marcelo Montoya of the Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a try. Source: AAP

Josh Addo-Carr is the fastest man in the NRL but Canterbury sprint coach Matt Shirvington believes winger Marcelo Montoya could make the smoothest transition from the field to the track if he wished.

At 22, the Fijian product has a sprinter’s frame and is one of the players Shirvington has enjoyed working with most since joining Dean Pay’s coaching staff.

“Marcelo Montoya’s a very good athlete,” Shirvington told Private Ryan.

“You look at him and the way he moves, I think in terms of transitioning from footy to running fast on the track, there’s an opportunity for someone like him.

“They’re running pretty quick like 35 kilometres per hour which is like 10 metres per second which is enough for a footy player.”