As the dust settles from this year’s State of Origin, NSW will travel back home thinking, ‘what happened there? We didn’t expect that’.
All the talk was about a changing of the guard for Queensland but surely the same has to be said about NSW?
I don’t think any side in history would have stopped Queensland on Wednesday night, they reminded me of the Australian cricket team from the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia. They were hell bent on getting that trophy back.
Only Justin Hodges has stated that it will be his last Origin but I’m sure a couple of Queenslanders might follow suit. We will have to wait and see.
NSW should see this as an end of an era as well, going from the team on Wednesday night I can see several players not coming back next year. The only players that will undoubtedly be involved are Josh Dugan, Michael Jennings, Robbie Farah and David Klemmer.
The rest of the team is up for grabs.
In the backs I see Dylan Walker, Alex Johnston, Adam Reynolds, Blake Austin, Adam Seizer and Matt Moylan pushing for spots. I can’t see Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson and Will Hopoate in next year’s team.
But form will tell. Pearce is always a strong NRL performer and if no one else puts their hand up it’s hard to leave him out. The Morris boys could make way depending on how far NSW want to take the rebirth.
In the forwards I see Korbin Sims, Tyson Frizell, Bryce Cartwright, Paul Vaughan and Dane Finucane pushing for spots. Either Paul Gallen, Beau Scott or Ryan Hoffman will go, while Josh Jackson, Trent Merrin and Boyd Cordner will be in doubt, however age is on their side.
NSW have a chance to revamp their side for the future. Young guys without the scars of the great Maroons side would leave NSW in great shape for the future. The last 10 years have been dominated by Queensland and I don’t think NSW could have done anything to stop it, they have had a group of players that together created a once in a lifetime team.
NSW just has to be proactive in making sure they are the next great side, Maybe no team will repeat what this Queensland team has done but NSW can be a lot more successful in the future if the right succession plan is put in place. A new era must begin.
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