In the forwards, North Queensland youngster Coen Hess will make his debut while Cowboys teammate Gavin Cooper returns to the Origin arena.
The biggest bolter is Melbourne prop Tim Glasby while Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace has also been called up to debut after being 18th man in game one.
Wallace must beat a shulder charge citing at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night if he is to play, as he otherwise faces a two-match ban
"We didn't get the result that we needed to have. We went to plan B, which was always in our plans, to bring some new players in," said Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
"The transition period for Queensland is right now. It's not next year, or the year after.
"We just picked 17 players who we feel are the best 17 for Queensland."
Likely Queensland team: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Valentine Holmes, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Dylan Napa, Cameron Smith (capt), Josh Papalii, Gavin Cooper, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Michael Morgan, Tim Glasby, Coen Hess, Jarrod Wallace.