Who would love to see AFL State of Origin return? I would, and so would many others.
This week Fox Sports released the sides that they chose for State of Origin, but as usual I disagreed with them.
So I decided to make my own sides. There will be four: Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and The Dream Team (from all remaining states and territories).
The Dockers dominate in defence. They have the best defence in the league so its not surprising that three Fremantle players (Luke Mcpharlin, Michael Johnson and Garrick Ibbotson) all made the back six.
They are joined by Darren Glass, Harry Taylor and Harry O’Brien.
Next up are the hard nuts and speedsters. The Western Australia midfield is full of hard nuts like Andrew Swallow, Matt Priddis and Simon Black and speedsters like Lewis Jetta, Harley Bennel and Stephen Hill.
Classy Docker Nathan Fyfe also made the cut.
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The Western Australia forward line is the best in the business. Tall forwards Buddy Franklin and Josh Kennedy are there for the big marks, but if they miss it smalls Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Walters and Eddie Betts will kick crumbing goals.
The ruck question: Nic Nat or Dean Cox? John Worsfold has to make this decision every week. Coxy gets the nod and Nic starts off the bench.
Naitinui is in the side as he was born in Sydney but played his junior footy in Western Australia so he is eligible to play for WA.
The line-up:
Coach: John Worsfold
FB: Darren Glass, Luke Mcpharlin, Harry Taylor
HB: Harry O’Brien, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson
C: Daniel Rich, Simon Black (c), Harley Bennell
HF: Lewis Jetta, Lance Franklin, Michael Walters
FF: Hayden Ballantyne, Josh Kennedy, Eddie Betts
Foll: Dean Cox, Andrew Swallow, Nathan Fyfe
Int: Nic Naitinui, Matt Priddis, Jaeger Omeara, Stephen Hill (sub)