Josh McGuire

McGuire set to be cleared for decider

That is according to teammate Matt Gillett who believes the 27-year-old will be out to make up for his seven-minute stint in Brisbane's 42-12 thrashing at the hands of the Melbourne Storm in Round 17. 

McGuire was knocked unconscious during that match, copping the hip of Storm prop Jesse Bromwich in a sickening clash that ended his night prematurely. 

McGuire charged over dangerous throw

With the grade one charge and no carry-over points to his name, McGuire can avoid a suspension with an early guilty plea.

McGuire primed to make first contact

McGuire was on Wednesday evening named to replace the injured Nate Myles in the Queensland starting team for Game Two of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series and a toss of the coin and direction of the wind will determine whether he is the first man tackled in what could be the Series decider.

Dating back to the very first game in 1980 with Arthur Beetson, Origin matches have featured a roll call of barrelling bookends who have taken arguably the hardest run in rugby league by throwing themselves at the mercy of a rabid opposition.

McGuire's inspiration behind Origin return

Having been a member of the Maroons for the first two games of the series, McGuire was confined to the role of cheerleader in the decider having ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for the Broncos against the Knights.

Eleven months on and he has come back a smarter and leaner player than before and said that the lure of another Queensland jersey was a major motivator throughout the torturous rehabilitation process.

McGuire ready for NRL return

Thursday night's 2016 NRL season opener between the Broncos and the Eels will be McGuire's first NRL game since rupturing his Achilles almost nine months ago.

The costly injury occurred in Brisbane's Round 16 clash against Newcastle and McGuire was sorely missed during the Broncos' run to the grand final.

2015 was shaping as McGuire's best year as he made his long awaited State of Origin debut for Queensland.

Playing in the opening two games of the series, McGuire was set to feature in the third and deciding fixture before his season was cruelly cut short.