A vacancy has been created in the Queensland State of Origin side with Josh McGuire suffering a serious injury in Brisbane’s 44-22 NRL thumping of Newcastle.

And another spot may open in the NSW team after Knights hitman Beau Scott lasted just 15 minutes of Friday night’s clash before leaving Suncorp Stadium with a shoulder complaint.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga will need to announce a rejigged interchange bench when he names his side on Monday for July 8’s Origin III after Maroons reserve forward McGuire (Achilles) went down in the 58th minute.

Canberra’s Josh Papalii or Sydney Roosters enforcer Dylan Napa appear the most likely replacements.

Daley may also need to re-think his 17 with Scott failing to reappear after leaving the field in the 15th minute.

Newcastle couldn’t take a trick early as Scott was joined on the sidelines by lock Robbie Rochow (25th minute) after playmaker Jarrod Mullen (foot) failed a pre-match fitness test.

And ladder leaders Broncos showed no mercy.

Brisbane raced to a 20-0 lead and had pretty much guaranteed their fifth straight win after 28 minutes.

The Broncos have lost just once to Newcastle in 10 games since 2011.

Newcastle – who led the competition after four rounds – have now won just one of their past 11 games and are on a five-game losing run.

Not everything went right for Brisbane who also lost interchange back Dale Copley to a heavy head knock.

The Knights launched a somewhat remarkable counter-attack after falling four tries behind, to cut the deficit to just four points as Danny Levi dummied his way over in the 44th minute.

The difference was again down to four when Korbin Sims crashed over in the 58th.

But there was no denying Brisbane, who piled on the next three tries to seal their sixth straight home game in front of 27,246 fans.

Second rower Matt Gillett and winger Lachlan Maranta nabbed doubles.

Brisbane led 20-10 at halftime after their stunning early onslaught.

Winger Corey Oates (8th minute) scored off quick hands, hooker Andrew McCullough (20th) dummied over and Maranta (26th) fed off Justin Hodges.

But the highlight was pivot Anthony Milford’s amazing 70m angled run off an Alex Glenn offload to score in the 28th.

The Knights’ mini-comeback featured three tries in 11 minutes through powerhouse centre Dane Gagai (33rd), winger Akuila Uate (38th) and Levi (44th).