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The Queensland Maroons have traditionally been the easier team to pick when it comes to State of Origin – and that won’t be changing this year either, with the team basically picking itself.
There are a couple of selection queries though, and the Maroons must also start looking to the future. As I highlighted yesterday, many of the Maroons long-serving superstars who have been present throughout their reign as winners (nine of the last ten) are approaching father time and retirement age.
The Maroons are also struggling with backline injuries and there is no doubt that a few debutants will be there. With Billy Slater and Will Chambers injured and the retirement of veteran centre Justin Hodges, in terms of building for the future this could be the most important series from a Queensland point of view for some time.
Of course, a number of players also join them on the sideline with suspension – they are: Ben Hunt, Dylan Napa, Anthony Milford, Jarrod Wallace, Edrick Lee, Chris Grevsmuhl, Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes.
So, who should represent the banana benders?
More Origin:
» 2016 State of Origin
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» My NSW Blues team for Origin 1
Fullback
The Contenders
Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos), Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
There is no Billy Slater for the Maroons, and the selection process is less than clear.
Darius Boyd played at the back for the Kangaroos in their 16-0 win over the Kiwis during the Representative Round, with Greg Inglis at centre. Neither player disappointed, and Boyd has been in good form for the Broncos at the back in club land.
Inglis meanwhile was moved into the halves and forced to shift to the centre during South Sydney’s last match against the Parramatta Eels. He put in his best performance so far this season, and with his form struggling it has almost ended any notion of him pulling on the number one.
In saying that though, when Slater missed Game 3 last year though, it was Inglis who filled in at the back.
But should it be either of them? Ben Barba, playing in a red-hot Sharks outfit has been in stellar form, and is currently ranked second in The Roar’s NRL MVP which helps to indicate that. In the Sharks 62-0 demolition of the Knights last weekend, he seemed to be involved in everything and he could well be the most in-form fullback right now.
The only reason I won’t consider Morgan is because he has been playing in the halves for the last 18 months at the Cowboys.
So, with an eye to the future, and keeping the Boyd and Inglis combination together, Barba gets the nod.
The Verdict: Ben Barba (Note: I expect 99 per cent of people to disagree with me).
Wingers
The Contenders
Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos), Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys),
I’ve already stated there is no point in breaking up the Boyd and Inglis combination, so it is obvious he gets a spot.
The other wing position is a little less clear. The North Queenslander Kyle Feldt has played a big role in club land and who can forget about the incredible Feldt try that forced golden point in last year’s Grand Final?
Still, I’m not totally convinced either are up to Origin. Gagai has played for the Maroons before, and has demonstrated reasonable form in a struggling Knights side.
The man you can’t go past though is Corey Oates. He seems to score a try every week for the Broncos, and his runs out of his own end make him look more like a second rower. Origin is a different arena, but given the Maroons injury predicament he is the best for the spot.
The Verdict: Darius Boyd and Corey Oates.
Centres
The Contenders
Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), Justin O’Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
Inglis obviously takes the first spot here. He is a proven performer at centre in Origin, and as proven in his performance for South Sydney last week he has to be in the front line somewhere.
The talk of the town is that Michael Morgan could get a spot in the North Queensland outfit and wouldn’t that be something. His best spot for mine is still as the bench utility if he can’t get a crack in the halves, but he certainly has the speed and handling to play centre if need be.
Justin O’Neill can handle club footy brilliantly, but having him as the first choice option over Dane Gagai is a hard one to justify.
The Verdict: Greg Inglis and Dane Gagai
Five-Eighth
The Contenders
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
With all the suspensions it actually doesn’t feel like there is any point writing down more than the two names. Of course, Thurston will be the man – but what if he gets injured?
Morgan is the obvious replacement to come out of a utility role on the bench and into the starting team – if for some reason he can’t play, then you start scrapping the barrel of halfbacks.
The Verdict: Johnathan Thurston
Halfback
The Contenders
Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm), Daly Cherry Evans (Manly Sea Eagles), Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels)
Like Thurston there is no doubt Cronk will play in the halfback position, forming the same halves combination that has been present since Darren Lockyer retired.
So, what happens if Cronk is injured? Despite the fact that Cherry Evans has Origin experience and played a game in the halves last year when Cronk was injured (the one that Queensland lost), Norman is one of the form players in the competition. The same could hardly be said about Cherry Evans.
So Norman is the back-up here.
The Verdict: Cooper Cronk
Front Rowers
The Contenders
Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos), Nate Myles (Manly Sea Eagles), Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors), David Shillington (Gold Coast Titans)
With no Dylan Napa it makes things fairly easy for the Queensland selectors. The only question will be which two start the game and which two are added to the interchange bench.
Despite being on the bench last year before being injured and unable to take part in Game 3, McGuire should be the one to join Matt Scott in the starting team. Nate Myles – who started last year – is a absolute workhorse, but his impact off the bench could really rattle New South Wales when they try to up the tempo.
David Shillington was thrown in as a fifth option because of his form for the Titans – which for mine has been outstanding. He has Origin experience, and while he won’t get picked it has to be at least worth a discussion.
The Verdict: Matt Scott and Josh McGuire
Hooker
The Contenders
Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm), Jake Granville (North Queensland Cowboys), Andrew McCullogh (Brisbane Broncos)
Forget it. The Australian captain will play hooker. Daylight second.
Granville and McCullogh are the options if Smith is injured – and if that was the case it would more than likely be McCullogh based on his ability to play 80 minutes and tackle anything that moves.
In saying that Granville has incredible explosiveness so could be a shout for the bench if an injury was to occur.
The Verdict: Cameron Smith
Second Rowers
The Contenders
Aiden Guerra (Sydney Roosters), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
Maybe the toughest position to pick in the side. Four doesn’t go into three. With two starting positions and one on the bench, how do the Maroons leave out one of these proven performers?
All have been in solid form at club level, although maybe the best of that is Papalii so he takes the first starting spot.
Aiden Guerra has to get the other starting spot here. He runs the ball hard, tackles hard and has plenty of creativity in his game. Working with Thurston and Cronk he has been a nightmare for the Blues defence in recent years.
The Verdict: Josh Papalii and Aiden Guerra
Lock
The Contenders
Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
So anyone want to debate that Parker is the best lock in the competition? No? Good, let’s move on.
The Verdict: Corey Parker
Interchange
Despite the bench generally being for the big men, Michael Morgan is the first man picked at Queensland’s utility. Apart from front row or lock, there isn’t a position on the field he couldn’t play and he is an absolute talent who has been in incredible form. Shame he won’t be in the starting side, but that’s what happens when Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are ahead of you.
Queensland’s front row rotation has been something to behold in recent years – it won’t change apart from Nate Myles joining Jacob Lillyman on the bench.
The final bench spot comes down to either the experience and never say die Sam Thaiday or Matt Gillett. Unfortunately, one of them has to miss out, but neither deserves to. Both have been in solid form for their club teams, but it is time to get this Queensland side ready for the future. Thaiday – let’s face it – is not far from retirement while Gillett still has plenty of years in front of him.
As much as I don’t want to leave out big slammin’ Sam, it has to be done for the good of the team.
1. Ben Barba
2. Corey Oates
3. Dane Gagai
4. Greg Inglis
5. Darius Boyd
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith
10. Josh McGuire
11. Josh Papalii
12. Aiden Guerra
13. Corey Parker
14. Michael Morgan
15. Nate Myles
16. Jacob Lillyman
17. Matt Gillett
There you have it Roarers? As a New South Wales fan, that team genuinely scares me. What do you reckon?
Don’t forget The Roar will have live coverage of each game during the State of Origin series.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde