Queensland great Gorden Tallis believes NSW bolter Jamal Idris will "thrive" in this year's Origin series if Blues coach Craig Bellamy uses him smartly.

And Tallis said the Maroons "wouldn't forget" last year's bloody Origin III loss when Steve Price was knocked unconscious and then manhandled while on the turf.

Idris has been named on the bench for game one and while Tallis said he was a tad surprised by the selection, he predicted the 19-year-old, 115kg Canterbury centre was ready for the big stage.

"It's not a surprise on his ability, it's a surprise on his age and how long he's been playing the game," Tallis said in Perth on Wednesday during a promotional rugby league clinic at Carine Primary School.

"On his ability you know that a guy like Jamal is going to reach the highest level, but it's a surprise he's earned his stripes a little bit younger.

"Same as David Taylor.

"But when you look at it they're playing good footy, they're playing week in, week out and who's going to argue?

"You've just got to throw them in the deep end and see if they sink or swim.

"I watched him (Idris) play the City v Country, which is another step up from the NRL, and he handled that with ease.

"He's coming off the bench, I think it's a good taste.

"If he's used properly I think he can thrive in that arena."

Tallis, who notched 17 Origin appearances for Queensland and won three premierships with the Brisbane Broncos, said last year's fiery Origin finale would have lingered in the minds of players from both sides.

"It was pretty fiery and a lot of punches (were) thrown," he said.

"They (the players) just don't forget it.

"You don't go out there and say 'yeah look it's going to happen' but players don't forget it."

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