Playing 20 State of Origin games is no mean feat.

It even earns Queensland players a prize – the Dick ‘Tosser’ Turner Medal.

But Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk expects his milestone to be an afterthought at next week’s Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Cronk will begin what may be his last Origin series by becoming the 27th Queensland player to enter the 20 game club on Wednesday night.

However, he does not even expect it to be mentioned on the same evening Maroons skipper Cameron Smith becomes the first player to reach 40 Origins.

“Twenty games is quite special but I don’t want to talk it up because it pales in significance to what Cameron Smith is about to do,” Cronk said.

“I am happy to say thank you to the players and staff during those 20 games because they are the most memorable games of my career but I will be taking a back seat this week.

“There is someone else who deserves a lot more credit for their achievements than me.”

Cronk is a chance of joining Queensland halves partner Johnathan Thurston in representative retirement at season’s end.

The Melbourne halfback’s future has been in limbo since he announced he would relocate to Sydney next year to be with his fiancee.

The Maroons No.7 said he would not consider his Origin future until after the series, even if that meant sacrificing a potential Maroons send off in game three at Suncorp Stadium on July 12.

“JT (Thurston) can lead that ticker tape parade, I will just sit in behind him,” Cronk smiled.

“I haven’t really thought about it being my last series, and I won’t know that until this series is past.”

In the meantime, Cronk expects Smith to soak up the limelight ahead of his stunning milestone.

“One thing I will say is that Cam Smith is reliable, consistent and tough,” Cronk said of the hooker.

“That allows everyone else to be a better player. There’s a reason why success follows Cameron Smith.”

Cronk made his Origin debut back in 2010 as a bench utility and didn’t nail down a starting halves spot until two years later – not that he is complaining now.

“It (bench start) was a blessing in disguise because you see some young halves come in probably a little too early and sometimes struggle with confidence and form,” Cronk said.

“The best thing I did was play six Origin games off the bench, defend in the middle of the field and tackle anything around me.

“It prepared me for what was coming.”

Those lessons will put Cronk in good stead when he steps up in Origin I in the absence of Thurston (shoulder).