For rugby league fans, it is arguably the most exciting time of the year.

Up there with Grand Final week, the build-up to State of Origin gives fans an escape from the weekly rigours of supporting an NRL side.

While it sounds dramatic, let’s be fair dinkum: rugby league is larger than life to some of us and supporting an NRL side is tough. We go through the ecstatic highs and the lowly depths on a weekly basis.

However, this time of the season is personally a favourite due to another special event on the rugby league calendar: Indigenous Round.

As a proud Indigenous man, I have found special solace in knowing that rugby league provides an avenue for a significant number of our people to build a career and become role models in our communities.

Over the past 20 years, we have seen the role of Indigenous athletes grow beyond the borders of the exciting style of play they bring to our great game.

They have become advocates for our people and wider social issues. They become a voice for many, and a voice to many. Many who do not understand the troubles that still take a strangle on Indigenous communities across Australia.

On the field, these men have put smiles on the faces of many people. Many of these players brought a breathtaking style of play, with the ability to glide across the field and split defences in ways many other players could only dream of.

The brute power and speed of Greg Inglis, the guile and footy IQ of guys like Cliff Lyons and Cody Walker. Johnathan Thurston’s tenacity, Gorden Tallis’ brutality, and the list goes on and on of First Nations Stars of rugby league.

In recent times I have seen a number of “Hypothetical XIII’s” by Roarers, so in celebration of both the upcoming State of Origin and Indigenous Round, I have decided to take on the test of putting together an all-time Indigenous State of Origin challenge.

While Indigenous team of the centuries and team of the decades have been selected in the past, this often leaves out a number of the game’s greats, an example of the success and positive contributions Indigenous stars have made to our great game.

Given the large majority of Indigenous greats have come from the backline, it required me to get funky with selections in the forward pack and benches. Generally across the bench, I have tried to cover 2 middle forwards, one player who can cover the edge forwards (sometimes using a centre) as well as a utility player.

The only main criteria used was that players had to be of the State of Origin era (1980 onwards). Playing State of Origin gave players more credibility when gaining selection, but was not an essential.

There are a number of stand-out players who did not take to the Origin stage but forged amazing careers and have been considered for selection, such as Preston Campbell.

Speaking of Campbell, I have selected him as captain of the Blues side due to his enormous involvement as a trailblazer off the field, as well as his never back down attitude on the field.

Joining him in the back five is the pure speed of “The Foxx” Josh Addo-Carr and Nathan Blacklock, accompanied by Latrell Mitchell’s brute power and Laurie Daley’s crafty skills.

Cody Walker and Cliff Lyons team up for a dynamic halves pairing that will keep the Queenslanders guessing all 80 minutes.

The leader of the forward pack is Andrew Fifita, joined by Ryan James, Nathan Peats, Greg Bird, Wade Graham and Jack Wighton locking the scrum. On the bench, Tom Learoyd Lahrs and George Rose provide front row reinforcement, with Tyrone Peachey and Anthony Mundine providing some x-factor through the middle of the game.

Queensland will be led out by the legendary Artie Beetson and his side shows no lack of the famous Queensland spirit.

Another star-studded backline has been selected to match the Blues. Greg Inglis did not let the state down while filling in at fullback for Billy Slater and has been selected there, knocking Matt Bowen to the super sub role.

The rest of the backline includes Queensland heroes such as Dane Gagai, Steve Renouf, Justin Hodges, Wendell Sailor, Scott Prince and pulling the strings is one of Queensland’s greatest players in Johnathan Thurston.

Joining Artie up front is Sam Backo and Reuben Cotter in a versatile but hard working front row. David Fifita, Gorden Tallis and Sam Thaiday make for an exciting and powerful back row.

Joining Bowen on the bench are Carl Webb, Josh Kerr and Willie Tonga.

So roarers, what would your line ups be? Who do you think would win in what would surely be an exciting clash?

NSW

1. Preston Campbell (captain)
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Laurie Daley
5. Nathan Blacklock
6. Cody Walker
7. Cliff Lyons
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Nathan Peats
10. Ryan James
11. Greg Bird
12. Wade Graham
13. Jack Wighton

14. Anthony Mundine
15. Tom Learoyd Lahrs
16. Tyrone Peachey
17. George Rose

18th Man: David Peachey

QLD

1. Greg Inglis
2. Dane Gagai
3. Steve Renouf
4. Justin Hodges
5. Wendell Sailor
6. Scott Prince
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Arthur Beetson (Captain)
9. Reuben Cotter
10. Sam Backo
11. Gorden Tallis
12. David Fifita
13. Sam Thaiday

14. Matt Bowen
15. Josh Kerr
16. Willie Tonga
17. Carl Webb

18th Man: Ben Barba/Hamiso Tabuai Fidow