<p><em><strong>Game 1: Thursday, May 16, 7: 45 PM AEST, Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What better way to kick off the carnival of Rugby League that is Magic Round with an Origin match hey?</p> <p>That’s right, Game 1 of the Women’s State of Origin series for 2024 will kick off on Thursday, May 16 in a standalone match to start the big weekend of action at Lang Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>In another first, For the first time ever, the Women’s State of Origin series has been increased to a full three-match series.</p> <p>The Maroons won the title last year, despite the series being tied 1-1, which is a mantle the Blues will be desperate to reclaim, such as their dominance has been since the Women’s Origin rebrand.</p> <p>Who’s in the best shape to take the all-important game 1? Check out Sportsbet’s tips and predictions ahead of the first rep game of the season.</p> <p>Blues coach Kylie Hilder is taking no backward step in a bid to reclaim the title this year after last year's series defeat, putting her 36-strong squad of players through a seven-week selection camp.</p> <p>It will be a new-look spine for the Blues as Hilder has recalled veteran Corban Baxter for her first Origin since 2021. She returns alongside Rachel Pearson who returns after being dropped mid-series last year.</p> <p>Hooker Olivia Higgins and forward Grace Kemp are set to make their Origin debuts in a strong NSW team.</p> <p>Led by skipper Ali Brigginshaw and star fullback Tamika Upton and spurred on by a home crowd and field advantage, the Maroons will be hoping to get off to the perfect start to claim their third straight title.</p> <p>They will however be without forward Keilee Joseph who will miss with a MCL sprain but is hoping to be back for game two in Newcastle. The absence opens the door for Mackenzie Weale to make her Origin debut after being named as a reserve.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Team Lists</h2> <h3>Queensland Maroons</h3> <p>1.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tamika Upton</p> <p>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Julia Robinson</p> <p>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Shenae Ciesiolka</p> <p>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Evania Pelite</p> <p>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Emily Bass</p> <p>6.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tarryn Aiken</p> <p>7.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Zahara Temara</p> <p>8.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Shannon Mato</p> <p>9.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Destiny Brill</p> <p>10.&nbsp; &nbsp; Jessika Elliston</p> <p>11.&nbsp; &nbsp; Tazmin Gray</p> <p>12.&nbsp; &nbsp; Romy Teitzel</p> <p>13.&nbsp; &nbsp; Ali Brigginshaw</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Interchange:</strong></em></p> <p>14.&nbsp; &nbsp; Emma Manzelmann</p> <p>15.&nbsp; &nbsp; Keilee Jospeh</p> <p>16.&nbsp; &nbsp; Sophie Holyman</p> <p>17.&nbsp; &nbsp; Lauren Brown</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Reserves:</strong></em></p> <p>18.&nbsp; &nbsp; Sienna Lofipo</p> <p>19.&nbsp; &nbsp; Skyla Adams</p> <p>20.&nbsp; &nbsp; Makenzie Weale</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>NSW Blues</h3> <p>1.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Emma Tonegato</p> <p>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Jamie Chapman</p> <p>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Jessica Sergis</p> <p>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Isabelle Kelly</p> <p>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tiana Penitani</p> <p>6.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Corban Baxter</p> <p>7.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Rachel Pearson</p> <p>8.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Millie Elliot</p> <p>9.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Olivia Higgins</p> <p>10.&nbsp; &nbsp; Caitlan Johnston</p> <p>11.&nbsp; &nbsp; Kezie Apps</p> <p>12.&nbsp; &nbsp; Yasmin Clydsdale</p> <p>13.&nbsp; &nbsp; Keeley Davis</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Interchange:</strong></em></p> <p>14.&nbsp; &nbsp; Taliah Fuimaono</p> <p>15.&nbsp; &nbsp; Olivia Kernick</p> <p>16.&nbsp; &nbsp; Grace Kemp</p> <p>17.&nbsp; &nbsp; Sarah Togatuki</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Reserves:</strong></em></p> <p>18.&nbsp; &nbsp; Jakiya Whitfield</p> <p>19.&nbsp; &nbsp; Kirra Dibb</p> <p>20.&nbsp; &nbsp; Ellie Johnston</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head–to–head prediction:</strong> Maroons.</p> <p>We have the Maroons as slight favourites for a reason. The home crowd advantage for starters will be a massive factor. The Maroons also appear to be far more settled as a collective with only four changes from last year’s game two in Townsville.</p> <p>Plus, the Maroons have won two out of the three times a women’s origin match has been played in the Sunshine State, you’d be hard pressed to suggest they won't be able to keep a good thing going at home.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Women's State of Origin Game 1 Odds:</h2>