I hope all those knockers of the City Vs Country fixture watched the game last night. It was a very free flowing, entertaining spectacle with all players putting in their all to win a Blues jumper. I think if the Blues selectors treat this match as a genuine trial for Origin each year, like last night, they will get a very good game out of it for fans to watch. Below I am naming my NSW side for game 1 in a few weeks, see what you think
1. Gidley-Captain. Very creative and dangerous
2. Williams-Played poor in the game last night but has plenty of speed and is tough
3. Jennings-Explosive speed which we need
4. Cooper-Safe as houses, cant pick Lyon as he isn't interested
5. Monaghan-To combat Folau in the air
6. Campese-Wasn't great last night but very good for the last year
7. Wallace-Dominant last night
8. Galloway-Has that get fucked attitude which is a must for Origin
9. Farah-Outplayed Ennis completely last night
10. Kite-Shit form but will get picked
11. Laffranchi-If his cheek isn't broken from the hit Eastwood put on his chin last night
12. Gallen-Grub, but can play and is great for Origin
13. Stewart-Prob doesn't deserve it but if you play for Aust you should play for your state
14. Wing-Outstanding in City Vs Country game
15. Bailey-Can play big minutes and loves Origin
16. Creagh-Must play if fit
17. Poore-Bolter but played well last night and also capable of big minutes if required.
I think that is a pretty competitive side who will push QLD.
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Probably wont be far off the mark PAWD. We definately need to cull the 'stars' which has been done already with the prelim squad by the look of things, and rely on pride and passion which QLD worked so well on in dominating a much better NSW side on paper through the 80s. I think we (NSW) can do it without the soft ones (ie Mason, Anasta, Pearce etc)
ReplyDeletesurely they can't pick kite- playing like crap and what's he ever done in origin anyway? he's another big rep that needs to go. the rest looks good- not sure if cooper has enough in attack to trouble qld tho
ReplyDeleteI think Waterhouse, Lewis and O'donnell instead of Stewart, Poore and Wing. I think Lewis and Wing would be a coin toss. Both great utilities. Sounds like Ennis will also be on the bench...so that might mean good bye Creagh. Even though Creagh is in some pretty good form. I agree with the backline and props completely even though Kite shouldn't be there he will get picked. Insane !
ReplyDeleteIf the put ennis on the bench they are kidding ...what does he bring off the bench??...Kite is shit.....
ReplyDeletei dont understand how youd pick ennis- you clearly need a utility (lewis probably a better bet than wing as he realistically could play anywhere but front row at a pinch but wing would be much better at the crucial 6, 7 or 9) two front rowers and another forward. can ennis play anything but 9? if not, you would have to shift farah out of 9 when ennis comes on which just weakens a strength. ennis instead of a true utility would be a big mistake.
ReplyDeleteMy Origin I Team:
ReplyDelete1. Kurt Gidley (C) - First player picked.
2. Joel Monaghan - Safe player, can cover any defensive error from Jenko.
3. Michael Jennings - Tryscorer, speed.
4. Jamie Lyon - Class player, regardless of issues must be picked. Cooper is over rated bigtime.
5. David Williams - Dont think he is a great winger, player backrow most of junior career, however can make plenty of carries in the middle and take pressure off the forwards.
6. Jarrod Mullen - Form pivot in the NRL and great kicking game, something Wallace can struggle with.
7. Peter Wallace - Composed, measured halfback who directs a side around well and doesnt have many errors in his game.
8. Michael Weyman - Angry, runs hard, tackles hard.
9. Robbie Farah - Class above Ennis. Can create a try with push around the ruck from anywhere on the field.
10. Luke Bailey - Workhorse, great in defence.
11. Anthony Laffranchi - Tryscorer, will get out the spade and dig for you all game.
12. Ben Creagh - Another powerfull running, tryscoring backrower. Brilliant skill and agility.
13. Paul Gallen - Grub factor, I would love to see him ommitted, however he will be suspended for at least one of the games during the series.
14. Terry Campese - Utility: Can cover: 6,7,3,1 and 9 if need be. Option if pivots struggling to score points or lack creativity.
15. Brent Kite - Blue collar forward who can bust the line and defends well. Needs to improve between now and when the team is picked or Poore will take his spot.
16. Glenn Stewart - As above, has plenty of potential, needs to improve. Played well on Friday night.
17. Luke Lewis - Backrow, centre, wing and halves. Adds plenty of skill and tryscoring potential and can get in and do plenty of dirty work.
I think Weyman is another year off playing Origin. He struggled a bit with the quicker pace on Friday night and Origin is the quickest footy in the world. I think saying Cooper is over rated is a massive call. Never misses tackles and is a hard running big centre. If Lyon was fully committed to playing then he should be picked on form but he couldnt care less about representing country/state so fuck him off. The rest of the squad has good merit.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to adjust to Origin is to get into it. Put Weyman in. Cooper is too slow, doesnt score tries. We for some reason have a defensive mindset. Realistically with the backs QLD have we will need to score 4 tries to beat them. Pick guys who can attack and score tries.
ReplyDeleteYep good theory I agree but you have to try and stop tries aswell. Dont get me wrong, I will be very happy if Cooper doesnt play as it means he can run out for the Red and Whites.
ReplyDeleteYeah agreed. I just think its important to have a balance between attack and defence. If cooper gets picked we need to have a tryscoring winger and centre combination on the other side of the field and a skillfull winger such as monaghan to compliment Cooper. I think Cooper was a great player and would fit in fine in Origin, however I would go with the team above. I dont think Cooper has been playing well enough.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Weyman and Poore, I guess it will depend on which way the selectors choose to go. If they are going to choose the side on form I think Poore, Weyman and Bailey should be the front rowers. However they may stay loyal to those who have Origin experience. Same as the back row it is wide open and will depend on where the selectors loyaly lies.
ReplyDeleteMullen kicked out on the full 5 times yesterday. Fuck I hope we're not relying on his kicking game in the pressure cooker that is Origin.
ReplyDeleteDont rule out Jennings as a winger if the centres are the 'solid' formation of Lyon and Cooper. If Jennings can handle the centres, then he can sure handle the sting and may be a good option to match up against the high flying Folau. That McManus jumped higher than most on Friday night too. He looks like an Origin candidate
If he reads a book like he reads the game, McManus is therefore illiterate. Is a terrible defender most of the time making bad decisions and misses a lot of 1 on 1 tackles. Can jump and run the ball well but too many negatives for me.
ReplyDeleteMullen normally kicks well but was putrid yesterday and almost cost the Knights the win.