The Queensland Maroons have announced their team for Game I of State of Origin, with Titans prop David Fifita a shock omission from Billy Slater's squad.

Fifita played all three games in last year's thrilling 2-1 series victory but has been left out despite a barnstorming start to the year with the Titans.

The 24-year-old is averaging 151 running metres a game over his nine matches this season, more than any other season in his career, and was rewarded with the Scott Prince Medal as man of the match in Gold Coast's shock 36-34 victory against Brisbane on Sunday. 

"David created a really high standard for his footy last year, he just hasn't quite got to that standard this year," Slater said.

"I spoke to Dave last night, he's taken the disappointing news like a true Queenslander, wishes the best of the footy team and reiterated that in a text message after.

"I've got no doubt that Dave will get back to the footy that he played last year and I'm sure that he'll play in a Maroons jersey in the future again."

Eels forward J'maine Hopgood is the sole debutant in the 17-player line-up.

"You know when a player goes silent on the other end of the call how much it means to them," Slater said.

"He earned his way into the camp last year for Game III and that wasn't just for experience.

"[I'm] looking forward to seeing him go out there and represent his state."

Dragons forward Jaydn Su'A returns to the side for the first time since Game I of the 2021 series, with Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi named as 18th man.

Tom Dearden has been named as Cameron Munster's replacement at five-eighth, with the Broncos' Ezra Mam also named in the 20-player squad.

"The one thing that Queensland did have when Cameron Munster went down was quality players who could fill in that position," Slater said.

"When you're a part of that squad it means you're playing to the standard that this footy team has created.

"There was probably not a wrong decision there, but I just feel that Tommy Dearden really earned this opportunity."

Aside from Munster's absence, the Maroons have gone for a relatively unchanged back-line featuring Reece Walsh, Xavier Coates, Valentine Holmes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Murray Taulagi.