29 Apr 2009

Maroons include winger in preliminary squad

6:23 am on 29 April 2009

The under-fire Brisbane Broncos flyer Steve Michaels has been included in an initial 25-strong Queensland State of Origin rugby league squad.

Barely 24 hours after there were calls for him to be stood down from the NRL for attracting police attention at Byron Bay with Brisbane teammate Nick Kenny, Michaels was one of seven Broncos players named in the squad.

Michaels is one of four players yet to make their Origin debut included - the others are Manly's Matt Ballin, Canberra forward David Shillington and Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk.

Notable absentees include Cowboys duo Matt Bowen and Carl Webb, while a player who must have gone close is Warriors back-rower Michael Luck who's captain Steve Price is in the squad..

Luck became the first player in NRL history to crack the 70-tackle barrier last weekend against Melbourne, adding to his legendary defensive reputation - he has led the NRL for the past two seasons with 957 tackles in 2008 and 959 in 2007.