- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With the 2016 Origin series fast approaching, I think it’s time Laurie and Co. depart with the core playing group that has over seen a run of nine series loses in the last 10.
Queensland took this approach during the Andrew Johns/NSW domination period and have more than reaped the rewards.
Players such as Cam Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis (both starting on the wings), a second rower named Matt Scott and so on, were blooded during the now comparatively small period of NSW domination, along with a shift of a certain Darren Lockyer into the No.6 role.
The last season of the NSW three-peat saw the introduction of a No.7 by the name of Johnathan Thurston and a bench spot for Corey Parker. There’s half a starting line-up still lingering from that period.
Meanwhile, NSW has continued with the carousel selection of players such as the Morris twins, James Maloney, Josh Reynolds, Mick Ennis, Mitchell Pearce, Beau Scott, Michael Jennings, Josh Dugan, Will Hopoate, Trent Hodkinson, Trent Merrin and Co., while sticking with Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Robbie Farah and to a lesser extent Tony Watmough, Jennings, Ryan Hoffman and Luke Lewis.
Big calls need to be made starting with Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy and Geoff Gerard being removed with a younger more in tune selection panel.
Ex-players such as Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Danny Buderus, Ryan Girdler, John Cartwright, Geoff Toovey, Tim Brasher and Nathan Hindmarsh are the types they need to install or groom in these roles.
I’d struggle to reply on any decent argument on why this lot should be retained? No jobs in the world would accept the current mediocrity this trio have overseen.
The coaches, halves and general playing personnel have been turned over, why not the selectors?
With a view to an Origin series win in 2018 here is a side I’d like to see in 2016/2017.
1. James Tedesco
2. Blake Ferguson/Josh Mansour
3. James Roberts
4. Jack Bird
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Matt Moylan
7. Aidan Sezer/Luke Brooks/Adam Reynolds
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Jake Trbojevic
11. Boyd Cordner ©
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. Wade Graham
Bench
14. Blake Austin
15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
16. Tyson Frizell/Ryan James
17. Andrew Fifita/Shannon Boyd
Notable omission Josh Dugan. Apart from the metres he makes, a lot of them sideways and affects his outside supports.
He rarely passes and has no try assists for the Dragons this season compared with Tedesco who has four plus is equal first in line breaks and is the leading try scorer. It is time to move on.
I know I will be shouted down by Dragons fans but winning player of the series last year after game 3 just doesn’t hold up.
If you watch him chime into the Dragons attack he stalls the outside runners with his pirouettes, crab running, stop starting.
Did I add he can’t pass the ball either with any confidence? He won’t be dumped, but that is just my opinion.
Now we all know a side like this won’t happen, particularly with the old blokes still on the selection committee, but what is the point of trying to keep the series close when we can blood these guys now and prosper long term for the future?
Queensland are not getting any younger, time to unleash some pace and youth.
Personally I expect they will select side similar to this for game one.
1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. James Roberts
6. James Maloney
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Beau Scott
13. Paul Gallen ©
Bench
14. Andrew Fifita
15. David Klemmer
16. Josh Reynolds
17. Josh Jackson/Bryce Cartwright
Over to you Roar readers to voice your arguments for and against.
PS: I started this on Wednesday and heard on the news Friday morning that Bozo has been appointed ‘Chief’ NSW selector while Queensland have done the smart thing and appointed Darren Lockyer.
I’m gobsmacked!
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.