During the second half of a very tense tussle between the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos, the Green MKachine had to produce one of their more courageous defensive displays in recent memory to carve out a 22-14 win.
With an 18-nil score line in Canberra’s favour, the Broncos continued the early season trend of comebacks in the NRL by scoring three unanswered tries in the second half to close the gap to four points.
Despite having to make 80 more tackles than their opposition, the Raiders eventually got the two competition points thanks largely to the brilliant effort of Raiders captain Terry Campese.
Although Raiders debutant Shane Fensom stole the show in defence for Canberra with 49 tackles, rarely do we see an attacking dynamo such as Campese end up making 41 tackles, one of which stopped Sam Thaiday from scoring a critical try in the second half.
Campese’s showing was a testament to his capabilities as an NRL first grader let alone a representative player. With the ball in hand Campese can rub shoulders with the very best playmakers in the game and then some.
Whilst most ball players are often somewhat of a liability in defence, Campese, along with Alan Tongue, can act as a cornerstone for a Raiders defence that often struggles to keep the opposition at bay.
His effort on Monday night showcased all the traits necessary to not only warrant a re-call to the NSW Origin side, but to captain them against the Maroons when the series begins on May 26.
With players as young as Mitchell Pearce now being considered as a candidate for the Blues Origin captaincy, one believes Terry Campese has displayed more consistent form and leadership than his Roosters counterpart, and thus should be considered as a prime candidate to lead his State.
Dropped harshly by Blues selectors following NSW’s loss in game one last season, it appears Campese must lead the Raiders to the top of the table to have any chance of regaining his Blues jersey.
Its astonishing to think that the selectors went as far as dropping Campese, only to replace him with Sharks captain Trent Barrett, who is still leading a toothless Cronulla side with an inability to score points.
In the end, Campese can only do so much on the field and it will ultimately be up to the selectors again to pick a team capable of ending Queensland’s four year reign.
With last year’s captain Kurt Gidley not even expected to start for NSW this season, the selectors will have a difficult task picking a new leader to hopefully guide the Blues to their first Origin series victory in five seasons.
If the selectors could just cast their eyes beyond the Sydney border, they will discover a more than worthy NSW captain quietly plying his trade down at the nation’s capital.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
alan Hayne is 1 so how does Stewart feature? Gids problem is getting back on the field and thats not a given.
alan nicolea
Guest
Scott Indeed Carney at the moment would give the Blues the X factor needed to maybe score that last try to win the game. IMO, Gidley does not provide such attacking spark although he is a great player. Gidley's chances have no doubt increased after confirmation of Brett Stewart's season ending injury.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Alan Its true Bellamy loves Gidley but he has some challenges off the field at the moment and even if he gets back I would prefer Luke Lewis off the bench or Carney, who can play every back position.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I bet Gidley will be there, even if he plays just 1 game for Knights before game 1, the selectors seem to love him for some reason
Alan
Roar Guru
Scott Kurt Gidley was last year's captain yet it is almost certain he well start from the bench this year. He may not even make the seventeen.
Andrew Watson
Guest
Greg Bird will be the first player picked!!! Whether he plays 6 or 13, he must be in the team... I also think Scott is right. NSW must retain either Kimmorley or Barrett in the halves. Only until then can they start looking at who will play alongside them. I liked what I saw from Pearce in his debut, but he also needed some time to gain more experience. With 2 years past and the form which he has started the year, he will be very highly regarded in the eyes of Daley & Co. Just to finish, I think Campese is too selfish a player for Origin. Too hot and cold and more importantly, if you give him a touch-up, (which is gona happen in Origin) he has limited self control and losses the plot. A player like this will not be in Craig Ballamey's team for such a crucial role.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Alan, I am sorry i wrote another thread before I noticed yours, anyway, the problem with Campese is 2 fold for me. 1. I am not totally convinced that his offence will compliment a Blues team 2. He can be hot and cold and to be captain you need to be guaranteed of a starting spot. That will never happen with Campo in such a key position as 6. The easy way out for the selectors is to maintain either Kimmorley or Barrett for one more year. With a very inexperienced backline, their experience will be crucial.
sledgeross
Guest
how hard you can hit a guy when his back is turned (Gallen) Watch some games and you would see Gallen cops just as much as he gives out mate. He puts his body on the line for a crap team every week.
ilikelollies
Guest
Skeepe, is that you ? He's a good player but he needs to be left alone to deal with his own game. As for the Tongue-Johnson comparisons, what many people overlook with DJ is that he could start and finish a tackle agaisnt a much bigger man on his own, and that was his greatest value to the teams he played in. And why Tongue, or most other players in the workhorse category, arent in his league.
JP
Guest
I wanted hindmarsh to be captain last year but it seems the selectors are to stubborn to admit when they are wrong. This year is a little more difficult, I would look to the future and give it to someone they could build a team around. I have no doubt Bird will be back in the side somewhere. Carney is a possability but he wont be fullback that spot is for Hayne. Ennis will and should be hooker. Pearce is a real chance if he maintains his current form. And for all his knockers out there Watmough will be a starting backrower for sure. There is no doubting his impact in last years series. I cannot see a position for campese with all the above mentioned players. Plus all the fringe players that will miss out Farah, Gidley (yes Gidley will miss out) not to mention all the backrowers etc. I would give the captaincy to Bird, Ennis or Hayne. (put aside Birds history off the field he was a solid player in origin)
M1tch
Roar Guru
Tongue wouldnt be out of place in the 9 jersey imo My halves at this stage are Pearce and Mullen with Carney off the bench
Stormin Red
Guest
Campese was treated so poorly by the selectors last year, he was hung out to dry by his own selectors and made a scape goat for their own failings. I hope he does get back into Origin because he has the talent to prove those selectors wrong. What about Alan Tongue though. If he was a Queenslander he would have played in 10 origins by now. The guy is made for it, much like Dallas Johnson was for Queensland. Tough as nails and always gives everything he has to offer. When will you Blues learn it is not all about how big you are (Mason) or how hard you can hit a guy when his back is turned (Gallen).
Springs
Roar Guru
Just on the 'side for the future' reasons the selectors are using at the moment. They cannot possibly be thinking of dominating the next few series, I mean how far into the future do they mean? Inglis, Folau, Thurston, Smith etc are all going to be around for a fair while yet and if they really thought the game 1 side last year was for the future instead of focusing on the upcoming game they are fools. No way will that side ever be better than the QLD game 1 side, which they will have for a fair while yet (minus Lockyer, Civoniceva etc of course).
sledgeross
Guest
To be fair, Gallen doesnt give away any more penalties than any other backrower who averages 15+ tackles a game. Its just because of his reputation that people notice it more.
alan nicolea
Guest
Springs Indeed Hindmarsh woud make a terrific captain. If the eels keep rising up the ladder, there is no reason why he cannot be picked for NSW, let alone lead the Blues. Mitch - It would either be Jarrod Mullen or Mitchell Pearce on current form IMO. I think if Pearce can improve on the stuff Brian Smith mentioned in the press conference yesterday against quality opposition, then he is every chance. The same can be said about Mullen. Of course one cannot rule out the likes of Kimmorley and Barrett but it seems that NSW must look to the future and persist with a side capable of dominating Origin for the next few seasons let alone winning it this year.
Springs
Roar Guru
Hindmarsh should be captain if he does not retire from rep footy. He should have been last year and should be again this year.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Who's your halfback alan>?
alan nicolea
Guest
sledgegross Whilst Gallen to me seems to be the frontrunner for the captaincy, his ill discipline at times can really knock a team back and it does not bode well for leading your state IMO. Axe - I just don't think Bird is the answer at no.6. He could play a great role coming off the bench but i feel Campese would be a far better option in particular with the ball in hand. JP - Who would you put as captain then considering last years leader might not even get a starting spot this season?
LK
Guest
He won't get selected again whilst Martina is NSW coach. Which is a great pity.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Campese made 41 tackles? Wow he must be a great defender like his uncle.