STATE-of-Origin is always a time of great state pride and it often makes me think the Maroon-grown champions of the AFL don’t always get the credit they deserve.

A couple of things made me think of this recently.

The first was when it was announced there would be a much-deserved statue of John Eales cast outside Suncorp Stadium. The second came when Jason Dunstall was overlooked for elevation into the Legends category of the AFL Hall of Fame.

I think a statue of Michael Voss would be a nice addition to the entrance to the Gabba and I firmly believe it is a matter of if, not when, Dunstall is named a Legend.

He had incredible power and was quick off the mark.

He was also calm and never seemed to lose his temper, and that was in an era when it was almost a prerequisite for full-backs to “make forwards earn their marks” with a solid whack to the head or body.

Dunstall is third on the all-time leading goalkickers list behind leader Tony Lockett, who was elevated in 2015.

I’ve never really split the pair but, in saying that, I’d probably prefer to play on Dunstall, because Lockett could do serious damage if he lost his temper, which did happen at times.

With so much discussion around the Queensland Academies and the need for local talent to assist the rebuild of both the Lions and the Suns, it made me think, who have been the best Queensland players to play in the AFL era and what would a “best ever” team look like.

The criteria I’ve gone with for the purpose of this team is that the player needs to have played the bulk of his junior football in the state or, if they were born in the state but grew up elsewhere, they must have played their AFL footy here. Let’s call it the “Simon Black rule”.

The superstars Dunstall, Voss, Black, Jason Akermanis and Nick Riewoldt pick themselves.

The team is well stocked with premiership players — Marcus Ashcroft, Mal Michael, Clark Keating, Robert Copeland (Lions), Gavin Crossisca, Dayne Beams (Collingwood) and David Hale (Hawthorn).

Of the modern players, All-Australian Lion Dayne Zorko can’t be ignored and I’ve gone with Charlie Cameron also. He’s only young, but has already kicked five goals in a preliminary final and is having a brilliant first season for the Lions.

Jarrod Harbrow has been a standout for the Suns since returning home after playing in three preliminary finals with the Bulldogs as a youngster, while Sam Gilbert has played over 200 games for the Saints and was one of their best in the 2010 drawn Grand Final with Collingwood.

Some old teammates also got the nod. Matt Kennedy was a gun and he edged out young Lions leader Harris Andrews for the other key defensive post.

And Scott Mclvor was a classy onballer at Fitzroy, where he won a best-and-fairest before returning to play with the Bears in a variety of positions.

Danny Dickfos was a hugely respected teammate of mine who only played 65 games in the AFL with the Bears and Lions, but when we had an undersized defence, Danny had to play on the biggest and the best each week.

QUEENSLAND’S BEST 22

B: Danny Dickfos, Mal Michael, Marcus Ashcroft

HB: Jarrod Harbrow, Matt Kennedy, Sam Gilbert

C: Dayne Zorko, Michael Voss (captain), Gavin Crosisca

HF: Scott McIvor, Nick Riewoldt, Dayne Beams

F: Charlie Cameron, Jason Dunstall, David Hale

Rucks: Clark Keating, Simon Black, Jason Akermanis

Interchange: Kurt Tippett, Robert Copeland, Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett

Chairman of selectors: Alastair Lynch