At some point in the past week, the most intriguing storyline ahead of a State of Origin match became a potential charity boxing match between Paul Gallen and Josh McGuire. With all due respect to the pugilistic talents of both men, that sideshow is about as interesting as it sounds.

At least it has been something to talk about outside of the football, which has provided precious little fodder. NSW return to a venue that has been nothing short of a graveyard with the same team that dipped out in Sydney. Put simply, nobody really thinks they can win.

Why would they? In game one, the Blues had enough quality ball to get a result three times over. Last time they were here, they were handed their tail in perhaps the most complete Origin demolition job ever completed. Queensland has won eight of the past 10 in Brisbane, including three of the past four by a margin of more than 20.

It almost has Queenslanders hoping for a famous NSW victory. Almost. Let's not get carried away about the death of Origin, because we know it will be a ratings goldmine and everyone will be talking about an assorted range of controversies on Thursday morning. But the Blues need to start bringing something to the table.

It's not just the lack of NSW success that appears to have dimmed the appetite for Origin football in these parts, which has traditionally been an area of bottomless enthusiasm for the men in Maroon, but the very make-up of their side.

It continues to be a superstar free zone. The Maroons are bristling with loaded guns, a few of them on the wrong side of 30, we concede, but brilliant all the same. They even have a few more like Anthony Milford waiting in the wings.

The Blues have gone back to the well with Gallen, Farah, Greg Bird and friends, resisting the urge to usher in new faces in a game that actually matters. Instead, with a coach who looks destined to be axed should the Blues fall again, the new kids could be trotted out for a dead rubber in Sydney.

It's refreshing to hear NSW talking about playing fast and free football on what should be a brilliant track at the old Lang Park. But could they pull it off, even if they wanted? Adam Reynolds is a terrific but mechanical sort of footballer, much better at running through sets than playing off the cuff.

James Maloney can cut loose when the stars align but doesn't command the sort of presence that will have Queensland fearful of a virtuoso performance, like the kind Andrew Johns for produce on his night. Containment, rather than conversion, seems to be on the menu. It has failed in the past and stands a good chance to do so again.

Let us all hope for electricity and firecrackers and brilliance at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday. It could yet spring into life. But for the first time in a long time, fewer and fewer people north of the border are counting down the days like it's rugby league Christmas.

A Twitter List by SMHsport