Four things we learned from the Queensland Maroons tragedy

“The guys involved will take some lessons from it, but no two series are ever the same,” Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.

“We still have a lot of hunger and no matter what the result is tonight, we still want it more than ever.

“After such a defeat, the players’ desire for the next game was a little too strong.”

Is Cobo ready to join the back line?

Valentine Holmes has been a great help in the Maroons’ jump shot, but the North Queensland Cowboys star has been completely outplayed by Latrell Mitchell and the rest of the Blues’ left wingers.

That could make his once all-but-sure selection controversial.

Holmes missed six tackles — five of which came in the first half, when Mitchell and Brian To’o combined for three field goals — and had few offensive chances.

Veteran center Dane Gagai is the 18th man and could make a case for inclusion, but one might wonder if Selwyn Cobbo is ready to be recalled.

Asked if that was changing, Slater said: “I haven’t even thought about that yet.”

Cobo performed well in the first game. But he was held aside because of the painkilling injections Slater saw him take while playing. And hints at the 22-year-old’s level of mental exhaustion.

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But if Cobo returns to Brisbane in hot form and strong mentally, the x-factor and physicality he brings will need to be seriously considered in order to take on Mitchell and apply some aggressiveness to the backline.

Holmes is known as a winger and plays on the left side with Tauraji at the club, so he could be a convert. But it would take courage to break up the latter’s partnership with Hamiso Tabuei-Fedo, after the two teamed up again to try.

Queensland’s lack of size was exploited – is Fifita’s return imminent?

In the second game, the absence of star midfielders Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Gilbert (both ACL injuries) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder injury) took a toll.

So, will David Fifita receive an SOS for the decider?

In the first match of the series, despite New South Wales having only 12 players on the field, they managed to regain the momentum within 30 minutes with their strong staying power and their presence was fully felt with all players on the field.

Star prop Payne Haas silences doubters Standing at 1.93m, he also made 31 tackles without a single mistake, with only club teammate Pat Carrigan (1.54m) seemingly able to withstand the Blues’ size.

Slater dropped a bombshell when he sacked Fifita on the eve of the series by suggesting his “standard” of play was one he had failed to meet.

But there’s no doubt that the weight of a 115kg wrecking ball will add some much-needed punch to the exchange.

Since being selected for the first match, Fifita has made 17 tackles and covered 363 metres in two appearances. Considering the limited playing time for Felice Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell, the 24-year-old’s comeback could come before the Suncorp Stadium showdown.

Who will support?

The shoulder injury suffered by Tabuei-Fedo in the first half not only makes him questionable for the Dolphins game this week, but also puts the Maroons’ return to Brisbane in doubt.

“I think he had a shoulder replacement injury and it was a very tough thing for him to get back out there — obviously he wasn’t 100 percent, but he knew the team needed him,” Slater said.

“I don’t know (if he’ll be able to play in Game 3).”

It’s hard to imagine Broncos coach Kevin Walters bringing Haas back for the New Zealand game against the Warriors, but there’s a good chance Queensland will be eager to provide support to Brisbane, especially with Carrigan in the replacement role in the absence of captain Adam Reynolds through injury.

Cowboys coach Todd Payton has confirmed Nanai will not play, but his North Queensland teammate, hooker Reece Robson, was withdrawn at the end of the first game despite playing 80 minutes and made half the tackles in the second game after being given an early chance to play.

Ben Hunt, Harry Grant, Kaufusi and Capewell are likely to compete.