"The Axe" in the frame as Bennett
considers his future

Origin hero Trevor Gillmeister is an outside chance to coach Queensland next season.

Speculation is rife that Wayne Bennett - Queensland's most successful Origin coach - will step down next year to dedicate all his time to Brisbane following its difficult 2003 NRL season.

Newcastle's Michael Hagan, who was involved in Queensland's campaign this year and Penrith's John Lang, in line for NRL coach-of-the-year honours, are the early front-runners if Bennett opts out. North Queensland-born Canberra coach Matthew Elliott, who enjoyed success with Bradford in the UK before joining Canberra, has also been mentioned for the Origin job.

But Gillmeister, who once defied doctors and left his hospital bed to pull on a maroon jumper in one of his 14 Origins, would be a popular choice with most Queenslanders.