MELBOURNE Storm forward Tim Glasby has been confirmed as Queensland’s biggest Origin bolter since Adam Mogg’s stunning Origin selection more than a decade ago.

Maroons selectors have made drastic changes to its 17-man squad including the axing of centre Justin O’Neill, winger Corey Oates and veteran forwards Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday.

Into the side come the likes of Billy Slater, Gavin Cooper and debutants Valentine Holmes, Jarrod Wallace and Coen Hess.

But Townsville born, Rockhampton raised journeyman Glasby, with 79 Storm games to his name, is easily the most stunning inclusion since Mogg came into Queensland’s line-up in 2006, going on to bag a double in the game that started over a decade of Maroons dominance.

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Down 1-0 in the series after being beaten 28-4 by NSW at Lang Park two weeks ago, selectors Gene Miles, Darren Lockyer and Kevin Walters, have been forced to make a number of changes to try to save the series in Sydney on Wednesday week.

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Glasby’s selection will come as a shock to many.

But the 28-year-old, who was the 2010 Queensland Cup rookie-of-the-year, comes highly recommended by his club and Queensland captain Cameron Smith and also Cronk and Slater.

It came down to a choice between Glasby, Brisbane’s Korbin Sims and Manly’s Brenton Lawrence.

With Myles out of form and Matt Scott out with a long-term injury, Queensland’s front-row cupboard is bare.

NSW dominated in the middle in Brisbane, especially when Queensland’s starting props had to take a breather after 20 minutes.

It’s hoped Glasby’s watertight defence will tighten up Queensland’s middle where they were exposed badly in game one, while Hess is seen as bench impact player the Maroons sorely lacked in the series’ opener.

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Glasby’s defence is excellent, he has a fast play-the-ball and according to Storm officials he is the type of bloke that will suit being in Origin camp.

Cooper, who scored a try in his debut in the last year’s deciding third game, has been picked for his left side for his combination with Thurston, who made an impressive return from a shoulder injury to orchestrate the Cowboys 32-6 over Parramatta at the weekend.

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Queensland still have some dramas to overcome with likely starting prop Jarrod Wallace charged on the weekend with grade one shoulder charge, putting the biggest game of his life in jeopardy.

Rugged forward Josh Papalii is also battling a leg injury which will require extensive treatment before the clash.

17-man Queensland Maroons squad: Billy Slater, Val Holmes, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Darius Boyd, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (C), Josh Papalii, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Coen Hess, Jarrod Wallace (pending judiciary), Tim Glasby