By ScottWoodward.me -
November 28th 2009 @ 12:07am
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Greg Bird no guarantee for State of Origin
I woke the other morning to Sky Radio’s Big Breakfast with anchor Terry Kennedy expressing his view on Greg Bird to Jimmy Smith, who gained a start off the bench when Michael Slater had more pressing concerns at the Gabba.
Now that the controversial court case is over and Greg can add “FREE AS A” to his middle name as opposed to “JAIL”, TK just assumed the former Test pivot will be handed the prized number 6 guernsey for NSW in the State of Origin next year. He made no mention of the Anzac Test and if the former Australian Juniors Captain would replace Darryn Lockyer.
In my previous article on who will replace Darren Lockyer, Greg Bird was not on my list of suggestions, which included:
Jonathan Thurston: The best half back in the world, but plays a similar game to Lockyer and handles 6 without a problem. Providing the selectors could find the right 7 to combine with him, the dilemma would be solved. Scott Prince and Cooper Cronk would be the contenders.
Todd Carney: No question marks on his talent, but he has some fences to mend and how he starts at the Roosters will determine his playing future. If Coach Brian Smith elects to play him at fullback, his rep chances will be dashed. In a perfect world I would love to see him combine with Thurston in the national team. The combination would be a nightmare for any opposing coach.
Terry Campese: Didn’t grab his chance at his first crack at Origin football, and there is a feeling that he is not a big time player, but still highly regarded by selectors.
John Sutton: With Mateo he has the most God given talent, but he can go wandering which concerns the men that count. He has a new head coach now, and if he can put it all together weekly, his sheer talent will make it impossible to ignore.
Feleti Mateo: Born in Auburn NSW, he has already played five eight for Tonga and the Australian Schoolboys as well as representing NSW (under 19s) against Queensland. He is unstoppable when he is hot, but he is not always hot.
Jarrad Mullen: Thrown to the wolves in State of Origin, he has never shown his true talent. He may struggle to get another crack.
Daniel Mortimer: An immense talent but he does not have the organizing skills for such a key job.
Jamie Soward: The selectors only think about his poor defence.
Tim Moltzen: Benjy playing at 6 at club level hurts him.
Wade Graham: Promising but behind in the long queue.
Also I suggested that Trent Barrett and Braith Anasta are the two most experienced 6s and could always plug a hole if the selectors choose to not go with youth.
Greg Bird may have been acquitted of glassing his girlfriend, but the Gold Coast Titans fans have convicted him with the vast majority voting against him playing for their team in 2010 in a poll taken. There is a concern that if the Titans do sign Bird, that they may have a backlash, especially from female supporters.
But getting back to TK and his statement that Bird will be given the Blues State of Origin number 6, a miracle would need to happen.
Bird would need to:
1. Want to play in the NRL
2. Be cleared by the NRL
3. Sign with a club
4. Find his best form after such a long break from the NRL.
There can be no doubting the toughness and the talent of Greg Bird, but even if all of the above four points could be ticked of, his best position is lock forward and not pivot, and that is taken by his ex team mate Paul Gallen.
If TK happens to be correct, fans of Trent Barrett, Braith Anasta and Terry Campese will likely follow the Titans supporters.
I’ll go with my original list.
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Both the sydney clubs seem to be pitching for the more committed...
Firestarter Bob said | November 28th 2009 @ 7:36am | Report comment
Unless and until Bird apologises for the damage he has done to the code’s reputation and image he should not even be considered back into a NRL team.
M1tch said | November 28th 2009 @ 7:46am | Report comment
If Bird comes back he would be a good 13 for NSW
Springs said | November 28th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
If Bird replaces Gallen then put him in.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 10:33am | Report comment
Springs did you see the Final of the 4 Nations? Gallen was our best forward and if NSW want to beat Q’Land, who have some real problems at the moment, then Gallen MUST play.
M1tch said | November 28th 2009 @ 6:21pm | Report comment
Gallens origin record is poor, heaps of penalties and drop ball, he has passion which I love but his a always a risk
Springs said | November 28th 2009 @ 10:45am | Report comment
I would rather have Hindmarsh than Gallen. Gallen was our best forward in the Four Nations Final but has a history o stuffing up at Origin level. If he can get the terrible offloads and dirty penalties out of his game then he should play, but if he doesn’t I see no reason for him to be picked over Hindmarsh, Watmough, Creagh, Lewis, Laffranchi, Waterhouse, even Bird.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:01am | Report comment
The role of a back rower is to defend and be dangerous in attack, hopefully hurting the opposition and setting up your outside backs. Hindmarsh is a great defender but he does not hurt or scare anyone when he has the ball. If I have backed his team, I sit back and relax when he has the ball because he just has not the skills offensively like Gallen, Watmough, Tupou, Stewart, Hoffman, O’Donnell and Creagh. All these guys can also play for 80 minutes if required.
He is an out and out robot but some coaches love robots in their team and the Eels certainly go much better with Hindmarsh in, but NSW is completely different.
Springs said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Well NSW picked a team full of ‘attacking’ back rowers last series and their attack was terrible. Hindmarsh bribgs more than just great defence. Do you remember when Folau kicked back inside in Game 1 and Thurston ran past three NSW players to dive on the ball, the NSW players just gave up. Hindmarsh would not give up. That’s the difference he makes to a team. I would have him as NSW Captain. And NSW seemed to go much better with Hindmarsh in the side.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Dont disagree with anything you said and I would have no problems with him in my team although I like to see my skipper talk on the field.
If Kimmorley is the number 7 and based on SOO 3 this year it would be hard to take it off him proving he starts 2010 ok, then he will be the on field Captain regardless of who has the big “C” after their name.
Springs said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
I support Kimmorley for halfback and have no problem with him being captain.
Mick from Giralang said | November 28th 2009 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
Are Braith Anasta and Barrett considered to be past it?
ScottWoodward.me said | November 28th 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Neither Kimmorley or Barrett are past it. They are a little slower, but are both very fit and play a smart game.
2009 was clearly one of Kimmorleys best seasons which is saying something given that he kept Andrews Johns from the Test 7 jumper once. With Barrett it is what you see you get. he rarely has a bad game and always is dangerous. I thought his contribution in 2009 was immense under difficult circumstances. I would love to see him have a full season with Gallen and Tupou.