Queensland Maroons skipper Daly Cherry Evans says Reece Walsh's "best footy is ahead of him" and won't invest much effort in getting into emotional talk with the 21-year-old ahead of his return at fullback in Wednesday's Origin opener.

Walsh was named in the no.1 jumper by Queensland coach Billy Slater last Monday after missing game three in 2023 after serving a ban for contrary conduct against a match official picked up during the NRL season.

He also sat out the final moments of game two following a stoush with Blues half Jarome Luai and winger Josh Addo-Carr.

Cherry-Evans said he won't be trying to convince the young star from quelling his passion on-field come Wednesday night.

"I reckon I am going to let him be Reece. I am certainly not going to talk to him about it," he said, via AAP.

"There are plenty of other things we talk about in camp, and so long as our talk and connection is around how we play our best footy I reckon Reece has always got the team first.

"I think he is going to be fine. He has a great mentor in Billy. He won't be short of people giving him advice, but ultimately the best advice we can give Reece is to be himself."

Speaking after his re-selection last week, Walsh said receiving the news from Slater was "sort of felt like the first time he called me" after his debut experiences in last year's series.

Walsh is two-from-two in the Maroons jumper having missed the Blues sole victory in Sydney last year.

He told reporters last week "I feel like I've matured a little bit more as a player" and, ahead of meeting Luai in the Origin area, their previous exchange was the result of "passion and pride" for your state, teammates and fans.

"That's footy. At the end of the day. You go out there and you play with passion and sometimes it all boils over a little bit," Walsh said last week.

Walsh earned his spot at fullback ahead of others capable of filling the role, notably Brisbane teammate Selwyn Cobbo - who Slater named on the bench for the Maroons, and 2023 series top try scorer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - named in his regular spot at centre.

Cherry-Evans said Walsh is one "very important" piece for Queensland.

"All of the best fullbacks take time in the game. It takes time to refine and learn the game, so of course I think his best footy is ahead of him. He has set a pretty high bar for himself," the Maroons captain said.

"That is why I love playing alongside him. He is a special player.

"I've got a lot of faith and confidence in Reece."

The Queensland forward pack has also been a talking point ahead of their attempt to make it three-consecutive shield lifts over NSW.

Named prop and 2023 player of the series Reuben Cotter said his Maroons teammates up front haven't applied much focus to their Wednesday's opponents on Wednesday.

The Queensland pack collectively gives up almost two metres in height and 90 kilograms to their opposite numbers in Blues jerseys.

Cotter told reporters at the weekend it'll be all about attitude in combating the difference through the middle of the field.

"They've got plenty of bigger boys so we've just got to keep turning up together," Cotter said.

"It's something we've done quite well, I've thought that over the last couple of years. And next Wednesday night, it's gonna be no different. So just keep turning up for each other."

Cotter said there's a similar philosophy across the ground for when long minutes on the park and the intense level of play starts to be felt.

"Everyone's everyone's gonna hurt at some point. It's a long game, but the only way you sort of get through it is by looking to the mate beside you…just getting out of your own head and relying on each other to get each other through it," he said.

The 25-year-old said he's prepared to play a full 80 minutes if called upon.

Cotter is also expecting a child in the days following the series opener, saying "we were cutting it close again and we timed it perfectly".

"But family is a big part of why I play the game and it's a very exciting time again," he said, via qrl.com.au.

NSW host Queensland for game one of the men's series in Sydney on Wednesday night.