The presumption out there is that the New South Wales Blues have never been so close to ending Queensland’s State of Origin dominance.

Long-time Maroons players are struggling but how well is the Blues contingent really going at club level?

Sure there’s more of them so there will always be more of them to pick from.

According to Arthur Beetson Medal points thus far, not everything is as it seems.

Of the current top 20, only 5 are from NSW.

Leading after 8 rounds is Queenslander Kalyn Ponga followed by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand), Andrew Fifita (Tonga) and Gareth Widdop (England).

Blues James Maloney, Luke Brooks and Jack de Belin sit near the top of the table but it’s a fair way down to Luke Keary and Matt Dufty on 6 points. 

Top 20
Kalyn Ponga 13

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 10

Andrew Fifita 10

Gareth Widdop 9

James Maloney 9

Luke Brooks 8

Jack de Belin 8

Benji Marshall 7

Issac Luke 7

Cameron Munster 6

Ash Taylor 6

Sam Burgess 6

Shaun Johnson 6

Cooper Cronk 6

Luke Keary 6

Matt Dufty 6

Tevita Pangai Jr 6

Billy Slater 6

Jai Arrow 6

Tohu Harris 5

Full list here